Forum Discussion

east2surf's avatar
east2surf
Explorer
Oct 10, 2017

Could use some advice on jacking up a large TH

Long story short, I have a break wire in one of the hubs shorting the trailer brakes. I am getting the same error codes and having trailer breaks go in and out. Now, I know how to pull the tires road side attached to the truck, but haven't seen a post about doing it while on level. It is currently in my yard, on a concrete pad and leveled with the six point system. So my question is, should I:

A. keep it on the six point leveling jacks and do the hub pulls

B. Take it out of level and go front jacks only and do the work

C. Hook it up to the TV, completely off jacks, and do the work

My TH is huge, 43' 9" and about 17,000lbs empty. It is a triple axle rig. I will probably have to pull each wheel until I locate the grounded wire. This happened previously, but the dealer fixed it last time. The problem is, the dealer is 3.5 hours away and I will not tow it with faulty brakes. I don't mind doing the work, I just want to ensure I don't damage the leveling gear. Standing by for some guidance. Thanks in advance.
Toy Haulers

10 Replies

  • east2surf's avatar
    east2surf
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2017
    Thanks for all the inputs folks, that's why I posted here. I have already inspected all of the wiring up to where they enter the drum, so all is good there. Great Idea to hook up and jiggle the wires at the drum head to isolate the one giving the error! Thanks again everyone. I will be doing this project over the weekend.
  • lincster's avatar
    lincster
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    Magnets are not worn out. Not in that short of time.

    Bad connector or broken wire.

    Look at the obvious stuff first.
    Butt connectors etc. pull on wires and see if anything comes apart.
  • RVhiker's avatar
    RVhiker
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    If the axles are Dexter, there is a pair of wires that goes through each axle to provide brake power to the other side. Those wires are infamous for getting rubbed on the inside of the axle and shorting out. I'm guessing that the indication of a short to ground is on your electric brake control. I'd have someone activate the manual lever and watching the brake control for a change in the display as you shake and pull slightly those wires, one at a time, that go through the center of each axle. If you isolate the problem to one of those pairs of wires, it is very easy to fix and does not require removing a brake drum to fix.
  • east2surf's avatar
    east2surf
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    My trailer is 7 months old(2018 Road Warrior 425) and has less than 4000 miles on it. I would HOPE the magnet wasn't worn out. I will check it as well.
  • Blackdiamond's avatar
    Blackdiamond
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    FYI, your short is probably the brake magnets worn out....I found it more cost effective to just replace the whole brake assembly.
  • ecampbell's avatar
    ecampbell
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    east2surf wrote:
    Long story short, I have a break wire in one of the hubs shorting the trailer brakes. I am getting the same error codes and having trailer breaks go in and out. Now, I know how to pull the tires road side attached to the truck, but haven't seen a post about doing it while on level. It is currently in my yard, on a concrete pad and leveled with the six point system. So my question is, should I:

    A. keep it on the six point leveling jacks and do the hub pulls

    B. Take it out of level and go front jacks only and do the work

    C. Hook it up to the TV, completely off jacks, and do the work

    My TH is huge, 43' 9" and about 17,000lbs empty. It is a triple axle rig. I will probably have to pull each wheel until I locate the grounded wire. This happened previously, but the dealer fixed it last time. The problem is, the dealer is 3.5 hours away and I will not tow it with faulty brakes. I don't mind doing the work, I just want to ensure I don't damage the leveling gear. Standing by for some guidance. Thanks in advance.


    Try this. My car trailer is 48' and is 21K.

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Trailer-Aid-Yellow/29764285?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=0db892e0-f7ee-4828-8e0b-ff68e4ac2285&config_id=106&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=0db892e0-f7ee-4828-8e0b-ff68e4ac2285&item_id=29764285&parent_anchor_item_id=29764300&parent_item_id=29764300&placement_id=irs-106-t1&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=anOL8K4HpnA7Vay6ecgKtE
  • arhayes's avatar
    arhayes
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    I’d use the me Levelling system and jack stands for safety. Then you can raise each wheel at the axle to remove the wheels and support the axle with stands.
  • momentum_rv's avatar
    momentum_rv
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    I use 6 point to lift most of the weight (leave tires touching ground) and then lift each axle individually at U bolts to pull each wheel.
  • nayther's avatar
    nayther
    Explorer
    Oct 10, 2017
    I would put some large jack stands under the frame, leave the 6 point leveling system down. Then jack up each wheel high enough to remove, another jack stand under the axle. I think you can get by with 4 jack stands for the axles, by supporting the center and either front or back but not sure as I've not lifted a 3 axle setup at once.

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