Brakes overheated

[KJJ]

Brought our Passport ML238 home from a nearby camp. Brake controller was acting up flashing the max setting and not stopping the traile. Pulling in the driveway I saw something fall off, it was the last plastic hub and the brakes were smoking, the emergency cable had been disconnected. I didn't feel any braking at all on the trip, even when gliding to a stop! I reconnected the cable and in went in with a firm positive snap.
So now gonna have the guy check it out, brake shoes, drums, bearings, maybe wheels... Can't DIY due to Dr lifting restrictions.
Comments?

[sourdough]

When was the last time you checked your brakes, bearings etc.? How/when did that pin get pulled out, do you have any idea? Once pulled it will keep the brakes locked until the battery dies, did you have any 12vdc problems while camping?

The items above are really irrelevant now but something to know to prevent a future recurrence. It sounds like your brakes weren't adjusted properly and got a good "warming up" going home. You are doing the correct thing by having all of it checked out and repaired. But the key IMO is to figure out how that pin got pulled so it doesn't happen again? If a child thinks that pin is a cool little "clicker" (or some other unknown situation) when he pulls it out you may experience the same situation again with worse results.

[flybouy]

Not much to comment about. You'll find out what damages were done when the shop looks at it. If it got hot enough to melt the plastic center caps then I suspect brakes, bearings, seals, and I would be leary of trusting the tires for concern of the bead on the rim leaking. I'd have them pull the tires, inspect the inside and replace the valve stems at a minimum. I personally would take the opportunity to replace the tires.

[bsmith0404]

I’ve seen the pins get pulled in several trailers, they get wrapped around the safety chains and pull when taking a corner. I always put a padlock through the latch on the coupler, then run the cable through the loop of the padlock. Keeps it up and away from everything.

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I’ve seen the pins get pulled in several trailers, they get wrapped around the safety chains and pull when taking a corner. I always put a padlock through the latch on the coupler, then run the cable through the loop of the padlock. Keeps it up and away from everything.

I did the same thing with TTs as well as feeding the umbilical through the lock hasp.