Locked up disc brakes

[bobdevlin]

Every time I leave the trailer in the yard for more than two months the brakes lock up and I end up digging trenches in the yard when I pull the boat out. Yes, they eventually break free but I would like to avoid this in the future. Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem? I have thought of spraying the disc with wd 40 and cleaning them before I use it again but I do not think this is a real great idea. Help!

 

[seasick]

A few things come to mind.
I assume that the rotors are sticking to the pads as opposed to the breaks getting stuck in the 'applied' state.
First thing is to make sure the breaks are not activated when stored. Make sure that the last motion you make when storing is forward so that the actuator isn't compressed.(for surge brakes)
Corrosion on the disks is common and unavoidable if the disks get wet ( stainless disks are different), so the goal is to try and get the pads off of the disks. If you have floating calipers ( you may not) make sure the pins are clean and lubed with the appropriate lubricant. Make sure the caliper pistons move in their cylinder.
When you store the boat, after all is set and blocked, see if you can manually retract the pads by applying some pressure between the pad and the disk. Just a little space will help. You may have to open the bleeder valve when retracting the pad. Just be sure not to let air into the system.

One final though is that the pistons may be stuck caused by corrosion the the caliper. This really can't be fixed except by replacement and can be caused my moisture in the brake fluid. It is a good idea to change the fluid every couple of seasons. Look in the fluid reservoir for signs of moisture; creamy look, foam, rust, etc.
Good luck

 

[rcrudder]

Seasick gave you some excellent advice.

I will attempt to add some additional precautions that may prevent the brake problem. The Florida Marine Patrol has long advocated washing the brake assembly with fresh water and applying liberal amounts of WD-40 after each contact with salt water. They have relatively few trailer problems.

 

[Never Enough]

What brand brakes are you using?
I had issues for about 1.5 yrs with brakes. Now I seem to know a lot more about them then ever. I had tiedowns before on the trailer so had the same put on after I got the boat and went through them in 4 months. I live in florida without any mountains and this should not happen. The installer I used in the area hit the actuator and bent it so it would not fully release the brakes, it took 1.5 years for someone to notice. After buying new disk and rotors for a second time the proplem was found. I now am using a brakerite electric and kodiak stainless disks and calipers on the trailer and it's awesome to tow and stop! lights i used to blow through I can now stop at 8)

 

[ahill]

My trailer mechanic soaks rotors, calipers, wheels & lugnuts with wd-40 after every use. The wd-40 burns off the rotors quickly and is never a stopping problem. Mine do not stick after sittig idle.