Water inside axles - normal?

[MHay]

2017 Jayco Jayflight with Lippert 4400 axles. I’ve been getting a trailer wiring fault message from my truck which is related to the brakes (the brakes are now only intermittently working). I’m trying to trace the issue and I noticed that as I pulled on the brake wires that cross inside the axles they were wet and a bit muddy. I had recently driven in heavy rain, but I was surprised that so much water would be inside the axles. Is this normal or should I be concerned? I’m contemplating drilling a small weep hole under the axles for the water to drain out but not sure if that’s advisable.

[enblethen]

Careful with the 3M crimps. make sure the small and larger wires are not next to one another. Separation will give better connection.

[MHay]

Thanks for all the great advice. I ordered some jacketed duplex wire to replace the existing wires that cross through the axles. I’m going to replace the connections at each wheel with the 3M Scotchlok 314 connectors. Are these a good option?

[Fisherman]

In addition if you are going to run the wires on the exterior of the axles, let them dry out for a while and then shoot some quality rust inhibitor such as Corrosion Free into the holes and then plug the top ones with a good plop of sealer. That will prevent any further rusting.

[MHay]

I’m not the original owner, so I’m not sure if the axles were submerged. I’ll drill some holes and rewire the brakes in the hopes that’ll fix the wiring fault.

[mr_andyj]

drilling a hole will not destroy the axle, even a 1/4 hole or bigger.
Be sure that the water is getting in from rain and not from that time when the axles were completely submerged under water. In either case you do need to get the water out as it is rusting from the inside. A drain hole is nothing compared to rust.
Running brake wires on inside or outside doesnt matter. They are protected from stuff on the inside but obviously could be sitting in water. New wires, no matter composition, should be water proof enough to work.
BTW, brakes are not grounded so you need positive and negative wires run to bakes, never ground the negative to the frame, and there is no positive or negative on the brake, either direction works - it is just a little magnet you are powering up.

[Mike134]

Are you the original owner? Has the trailer been in high water/flood?

[Lynnmor]

MHay wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Where are the holes that exist for the wiring? Top or bottom?
Use black cable ties not white. Black holds up better.
Could use stainless hose clamps. If you do protect clamp area with jacket removed at ends.

The existing holes are towards the top, roughly in the 10 o’clock position. I assume this is where the water is entering the axles. I’ll probably just go with the black zip ties as you suggest.

You are on the right track. Run new wiring behind the axles to prevent damage.

1/16" holes would work but they may plug up with rust, I would go just a bit larger, just poke them with a toothpick from time to time till you are sure that all water is removed, yes it will take weeks or more.

[enblethen]

Seal the old holes. You could use plugs used in drip irrigation systems.
you could drill as large as 1/4 inch for drains.

[MHay]

enblethen wrote:
Where are the holes that exist for the wiring? Top or bottom?
Use black cable ties not white. Black holds up better.
Could use stainless hose clamps. If you do protect clamp area with jacket removed at ends.

The existing holes are towards the top, roughly in the 10 o’clock position. I assume this is where the water is entering the axles. I’ll probably just go with the black zip ties as you suggest.

[MHay]

Lynnmor wrote:

MHay wrote:
Thanks. So no issues if I run the jacketed cable outside of the axles? That sounds like a better option than submerging the wires in the water sitting inside the axles.

That would be good. I still would drill very small weep holes at each end to dry it out and slow the rusting. After they are dry, shoot Fluid Film inside and plug the holes.

Would a 1/16 bit be fine for the weep holes? I don’t want to impact the structural integrity of the axles.

[enblethen]

Where are the holes that exist for the wiring? Top or bottom?
Use black cable ties not white. Black holds up better.
Could use stainless hose clamps. If you do protect clamp area with jacket removed at ends.

[Lynnmor]

MHay wrote:
Thanks. So no issues if I run the jacketed cable outside of the axles? That sounds like a better option than submerging the wires in the water sitting inside the axles.

That would be good. I still would drill very small weep holes at each end to dry it out and slow the rusting. After they are dry, shoot Fluid Film inside and plug the holes.

[MHay]

Thanks. So no issues if I run the jacketed cable outside of the axles? That sounds like a better option than submerging the wires in the water sitting inside the axles.

[enblethen]

Molded together wires do not offer the same insulation quality as jacketed brake cable.
You can find this cable at some auto parts stores in shorter lengths. Jacket should come through access hole in axle, Many just use heavy cable ties and attach to exterior of axle.
2 conductor jacketed brake cable