Trailer Brakes - How hot is TOO hot?

Do a search on brake pad MAXIMUM temperature or working temperature....that is
the temperature before it transitions to 'fade'...really getting so hot the
friction material out-gasses (smokes) to float the material off the cast iron

Below are the working temperatures for the friction material itself and the
cast iron temps will be a 'bit' less...but not much less and dependent on how
well they reject the heat

OEM/stock/mud-hen friction material's maximum WORKING temperature is around 280*C (536*F)

HD friction material's maximum WORKING temperature is around 400*C (752*F)

Performance friction material's maximum WORKING temperature is around 500*C (932*F)

For reference...to fry a T-Bone to medium-rare, the internal temp should be 125*F

Also note that there is a minimum working temperature...below that and
the braking will NOT be very good

So any of the above maximum working temperature will fry your fingers or even
have flesh stick to the cast iron brake material...


Careful of internet forum info...not all are accurate...suspect mine too and
do your own research. I've had mine actually bellow visible smoke...my 2 seater
on a track day, my Silverado and even my Suburban...

Here is a picture of a test run and note that the rotor is glowing...



Do a search here and other internet forums/sites...RAM IBC has an issue
reported and filed with The NHSTA

Trailer brakes 'should' have the ability to skid the tires...but also
well known/documented is that the trailer OEMs 'mostly' do NOT put in
the highest rated braking systems out there...and many disagree with
me on that based on their experience...but experience with OEM trailer
brakes... :R

Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
We picked up our new trailer yesterday and noticed the same thing that our built in controller we had to keep upping it to help the trailer to stop. Even at 10 it wasn't doing a good job it had the feeling of hey we aren't stopping in a hurry at all.
Our truck is a new 3500 ram as well.
Our 2012 brake controller worked nice. Not liking this new one.

Thinking of upgrading axles to disc. But we will see

I thought that I read here in a discussion that the Ram trucks have a brake controller that can be set for heavier braking. I am sure a Ram owner can provide that info, or read the manual.

Of concern was that the trailer brakes were super hot as I could feel the heat radiating from the wheels. Never had a trailer that had that much heat coming out from the wheels. I did not check temp. They are extremely hot every trip.

Get an infrared temp probe so you know the temperature numbers. Mine tend to travel at around 115-120 F. I think much over 160-170 would be too hot for me. Coming down Pikes Peak in Colorado there is a brake check station and if you are over 300 degrees you must stop and let them cool. If you can feel heat radiating from the brakes I would get them checked. Something is not right.

We picked up our new trailer yesterday and noticed the same thing that our built in controller we had to keep upping it to help the trailer to stop. Even at 10 it wasn't doing a good job it had the feeling of hey we aren't stopping in a hurry at all.
Our truck is a new 3500 ram as well.
Our 2012 brake controller worked nice. Not liking this new one.

Thinking of upgrading axles to disc. But we will see

Something is wrong with your brakes and needs to be checked out. Brakes should be warm, if working properly and having just been used, but not hot. Your axles provide plenty of braking action for your trailer.

Perhaps one axle isn't working at all causing the other axle to do all of the braking. Of my triple axles, I found one axle had a bad electrical connection and has never worked since new (it works now).

Maybe the brake controller in your truck is malfunctioning and sending some juice to your brakes that causes them to engage when you aren't braking. Have you tried the different settings on your controller?

Have you jacked up your trailer and tried turning the wheels? If the brakes are dragging you'll feel it. While it's jacked up, pull your trailer's break-away switch and give your wheels a spin - they should rotate slightly and then lock up. Reinstall the switch and your wheels should spin freely.

You could also have a bearings that are too tight causing the heat buildup, which will ruin the bearings. Again, spinning your tires while up on jacks would reveal this problem.

Bottom line is you shouldn't have hot wheels, which is a sign that something is very wrong.

Champ198 wrote:
Hi everyone,

I have the Lippert 7k lb axles with drum brakes on this trailer. Are the brakes simply too weak to stop the load?

Looking for feedback. Thanks!

Your probably right most rv manufacturers put the minimum they can get away with.
I read a lot of forums and some folks live with it and others upgrade to disc brakes.

Champ198 wrote:
They are extremely hot every trip.

They ARE hot, or they GET hot?

Constantly hot means they're dragging, and that will make them much less effective.