I have a 2016 XLT with 2.7 Ecoboost. Have spent 2 summers burning up brake system on my trailer with surge brakes. Bought a new trailer this year and same thing. Anything over 10 miles and the trailer hubs are burning. I do not have a brake controller in my truck but was told that shouldn't matter, especially with surge brakes. But they are not releasing while driving, what am I missing? Is there anything in the truck that would signal to the trailer to keep brakes on? Everything on old trailer (and by old I mean 2019) has been replaced and the new trailer was literally just made, I can't believe it is anything involving either trailer anymore. Thoughts?

 

Have you adjusted the brakes?

 

My guess a brake line is pinched, or the surge cylinder is stuck, but nothing to do with the truck.

 

Yes, I had a trailer repair shop bleed the brakes and adjust them last year, they adjusted them again this year, didn't seem to help.

 

Could be but we did check all that. We bled the brakes on the older trailer and there didn't seem to be any issues. The new trailer has the brake like exposed since it is aluminum and they weren't pinched anywhere that we could see which was pretty much the whole line. My new trailer will get the actuator replaced so we'll see if it is the surge cylinder but I have a hard time thinking that is the problem with both trailers especially a brand new one. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

Given your description of the problem, the only likely culprit that comes to mind is that the brake shoes are adjusted with too little play/clearance. Of course, if your trailer has discs, I got nothing.

 

Your issue is 100% on the trailer side. Truck has no control over surge brakes.

 

Thanks Sherman-GT350, appreciate the feedback. I will be going back over each trailer.

 

I was thinking as well.. Do you use the same hitch? Perhaps its an issue there.

 

Thanks icantdrive55, appreciate the feedback. They are disc brakes so I will be going back over each trailer in more detail.