One Wheel Locked Up- 2016 Yukon, 2018 27' FC

[Mike G]

We have had our 27' Flying Cloud for 2 years, and traveled +/- 12,000 miles with it. This Monday, for the 1st time, one wheel locked up while braking, and left a 30' skid mark I could see in the rear view camera. And the tire has a worn spot down to the tread-wear indicator.

The AS dealer we bought it from recommended the Yukon brake controller be set at 80%, which is what we've been using ever since. After this incident, I dialed it back to 70%, and made it home without a recurrence.

I'm bringing the trailer to a shop tomorrow, but I'm wondering what brake controller setting other GMC Yukon owners are using?

Thanks.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Recommending a generic 80% is just RONG.🥴

The gain should be set according to load and road conditions at the start of every trip.

A complete brake inspection is needed

I set the gain using the manual override. A nice smooth engagement just short of lock-up.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[GCinSC2]

What Bob said about a complete brake inspection, it's not the controller setting.

And my prediction is that a brake adjuster has puked and parts are now locking the drum to brake shoe.

Recommend inspecting prior to taking it in for service.

A recent brake failure I worked on, sorry no pics.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...-r-194437.html

Gary

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

What Bob said about a complete brake inspection, it's not the controller setting.

And my prediction is that a brake adjuster has puked and parts are now locking the drum to brake shoe.

Recommend inspecting prior to taking it in for service.

A recent brake failure I worked on, sorry no pics.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...-r-194437.html

Gary

The shop just showed me all four brakes, and the one that locked up had a different magnet than the other three! How, or why, Airstream would do that, I don't know. Otherwise, they said the brakes look great and are operating well.

They are installing a matching magnet in the mis-matched brake, and swapping out my spare for the tire with the worn spot.

[GCinSC2]

Mike,

Any pics? Did they explain how a different magnet all of a sudden locked up after 2 years of travels.

Everyone learns.

Gary

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Mike,

Any pics? Did they explain how a different magnet all of a sudden locked up after 2 years of travels.

Everyone learns.

Gary

Sorry- no pics. And there were other, lesser flat spots on the tire, so apparently there were other instances that I didn't notice . . .

The three matching magnets had rounded ends, but flat sides. The lone oddball was a complete oval.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mike G

The shop just showed me all four brakes, and the one that locked up had a different magnet than the other three! How, or why, Airstream would do that, I don't know. Otherwise, they said the brakes look great and are operating well.

They are installing a matching magnet in the mis-matched brake, and swapping out my spare for the tire with the worn spot.

Airstream had little to do with the mismatched magnets.

The axles are delivered with brakes attached...I doubt AS disassembles them during the build.

I remember doing a PDI on a new Blazer...it had Bowtie hubcaps on the driver side and GMC on the passenger.😂
SH...🥴

Bob
🇺🇸

[mefly2]

Mike-
Keep us updated, please.
We adjust our brake controller every time we start the engine...carrying loads and terrain.

[xrvr]

Brakes come with axle assembly, both come from vendor.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by mefly2

Mike-
Keep us updated, please.
We adjust our brake controller every time we start the engine...carrying loads and terrain.

Will do. It was IMT Standen's that did the work. They are Dexter dealers and seemed very knowledgeable. The brakes felt good on the way home.

[GCinSC2]

Mike,

First, good news is that you're satisfied that the problem is resolved.

But for a repair by a knowledgeable Dexter dealer the real problem that lead to the lockup is unknown.

Safe travels,

Gary

[JCWDCW]

I had one wheel locking up years ago. I would have to back up to release the shoes and it would lock on the next stop. The problem was a corroded pivot...the square stub that activates the shoes when the magnet swings around with the wheel. At a recent talk on Dexter Brakes at International, they did make the point that you do have to lubricate the mechanisms....despite what everyone thinks!!! Dry lube obviously, and keep it off the drum and shoes.
JCW

[69SoulShine]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Recommending a generic 80% is just RONG.🥴

The gain should be set according to load and road conditions at the start of every trip.

A complete brake inspection is needed

I set the gain using the manual override. A nice smooth engagement just short of lock-up.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

When setting gain control on our current Classic 30 or on our previous international 27 have never been able to have the brakes lock up even in the number 10 setting. So any suggestions on where I should set the gain control?

[GCinSC2]

69SoulShine,

Several ideas, but none as simple as adjusting the gain.

Did the brakes ever work correctly?
Any changes to rig? New tow vehicle, controller, 7 way cable or plug repairs?
Any noises while backing up or spotting in your site? This usually has someone othside and within ear shot of noises that might not be heard while towing.
Any chance to try a different tow vehicle just to try different controller?
Brake adjustment? Even with Never-Adjust it can be possible for brakes to need TLC and inspection.

That's a start and hello from not too far away Darlington County.

Gary

[Dingram/Colo]

I lost a tire, flat spot the same way. Installed the spare, headed home to Denver, and 50 miles later lost the spare the same way. There are probably several ways this could happen, but in order to get home, I installed another tire, & I cut the wire to that brake. Made it home without issue. Took it to Timeless Travel in Denver, and they found the low volt spade connector on that tire was loose! In addition, there was a loose connector on another wheel.
All that was needed was to firm up the connection!! So check your spade connections.
On the plus side that made me decide to upgrade the Marathon's to Goodyear Endurance.

[xrvr]

The greatest braking occurs just before lockup.