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TomandDebbieMi's avatar
Oct 17, 2016

Hot wheel rims,hub and smell from axle

Greetings, brand new Travel Trailers with Electric brakes. I just bought a 18' Keystone hideout 177LHS. When we returned from out very first outing after picking up the TT from the dealer, i noticed a smell near the tires of the TT. The rim was pretty warm, hub also and there was a smell also. Both sides of the trailer where pretty war. By pretty warm i mean i can tough or grab the hub/rims and hold it with out burn my skin, but not for along time anyway, ( 30-40 secs).

The drive was around 2 hours highway ( 65-70 mph) with the last 15 minutes on surface roads with normal stopping and all.

I have a POD electric brake controller 80500. The dealer installed all of this and set the contoller.Could this be the cause of "hot hub and wheels because it is out of adjustment..I know there is probably numerous reasons for this.. Help, we are newbies to the Travel Trailer world, been PUP owners all our life..

2011 Chevy Silverado 5.3L HD trailer package
2017 Keystone 177LHS TT
  • POD (Power on Demand) 80500 is a Tekonsha basic brake controller.


    Being able to hold your hand on hub for 30-40 seconds (long time) is NOT too hot
    120*F is HOT (typical temp setting for residential water heater)
    I have measured 130*F PLUS using Infrared Temp Gun on my hubs...not an issue



    YOU need to adjust brake controller for your trailer braking.
    (Dealer didn't do it correctly ---just set it)

    Adjusting the Power to the Trailer Brakes
    (Instructions for YOUR model)
    Once the control has been installed, it is necessary to set the power needed to stop the trailer during a braking event.

    1.Connect trailer to tow vehicle.
    2.Locate the manual slide knob and power knob on the control.
    3.Turn power knob to minimum. Turn power knob in the + direction about a 1/4 of a turn.
    4.Drive tow vehicle and trailer on a dry level paved surface at 25 mph and apply manual slide knob.
    ?If trailer brakes lock up:
    ?Turn power down using power knob.
    ?If braking was not sufficient:
    ?Turn power up using power knob.
    5.Repeat Step (4) until power has been set to a
    point just below wheel lock up or at a sufficient
    force as to achieve maximum braking power
  • Even on new trailers, hand pack the wheel bearings and check brake adjustment.
  • I figured brakes may be the reason because of the smell, but never thought bearings i guess because they are new...but what do i know :).. Thanks for the reply..
  • 1st guess would be mis-adjusted brakes. Jack up each wheel and see if it turns easily.

    If they turn easily, then I'd check wheel bearings.

    It's one or the other.

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