M1101 Trailer Backing and Brakes Locking

[Mainsail]

Trailer has been sitting a while (with the parking brakes set) and i pulled it from its parking spot over to the driveway.

While backing it in the driveway the brakes applied so I pulled it around the block and tried again. This time it went up the driveway but I think the brakes were applying.

After I was finished in the driveway I pulled it back to the parking spot around the side of the house, and this time while backing the brakes locked completely. It's sandy there and pretty wet so I just used the Hemi to force it, locked wheels, back to where it parks.

I looked thru the FM but don't see any troubleshooting guide in there.

Searching here and the internet in general but not finding anything.

 

[wheelspinner]

It should have surge brakes with a lockout pin for just such an occasion.

 

[Mainsail]

It should have surge brakes with a lockout pin for just such an occasion.

Thanks, but the M1101/2 does not use a pin, it's automatic (somehow). I need to know the voodoo that makes it work or not work.

 

[Zed254]

No voodoo but some good info....from the 'Book of Knowledge'....

https://www.championtrailers.com/content/Manual/titan-dico-model-6-manual.pdf

 

[Mainsail]

No voodoo but some good info....from the 'Book of Knowledge'....

https://www.championtrailers.com/content/Manual/titan-dico-model-6-manual.pdf

Awesome!

The voodoo is the part that makes it back without applying the brakes, but does apply the brakes when the trailer is overrunning the vehicle.

 

[mdmorgan]

I made a lockout for mine, I'll try to remember to get a pic tomorrow.

 

[NormB]

That’s the major thing I didn’t like about the trailer. And the height. Getting my ATV up the ramps was really tricky. The weight was a problem as was hooking it up to my truck (RAM, not HMMWV), , so I sold it and bought a much larger aluminum trailer with a ramp.

IIRC the EZPZ fix is simply drilling a hole through the drawbar housing in the surge brake and dropping a 3/8 or 1/2 inch pin into it any time to back up. I didn’t get around to that as I’d decided I needed another trailer by then.

Good luck.

 

[mdmorgan]

In "backup mode".Flipped up for regular "tow mode".

 

[Mainsail]

Thanks for all the replies.

It was working great previously, even backed 2,000# of landscape block up my driveway.

Stock worked before, I want stock to work again.

 

[mdmorgan]

If it was "working" before, it's because something was sticking or binding. As it is now, it's working like it should.

 

[Mainsail]

Nope.

The backing feature is by design; in stock form you can back the trailer without the brakes applying.

If it's not backing then it's not working like it should. Drilling holes would only mask that symptom- the problem would still exist.

 

[Coug]

should be able to back it on flat ground without it locking up, but if you try to back it uphill or very soft soil there can be enough resistance to cause brakes to start engaging. Once they start to engage you're fighting a losing battle, they'll just keep engaging further until fully released.


Just looked at the diagram in the manual posted above, part #22 is the damper. If the damper isn't working then it won't back up without applying the brakes. Should require some minimum level of force (several hundred lbs I think minimum) before the brakes start to engage. If you can push the trailer by just the lunette ring and brakes apply, your damper is shot.


edit: lots of discussion about this problem with the M116a2/a3 M101a2/a2 trailers on the forum, the m1101/1102 uses a different brand of brake actuator but still very similar in operation.

 

[Zed254]

My M1101 and both LTT-HC generator trailers back up without brakes applying. Just need to ease into it. I wonder if your "Inertia Damper" shock could be defective. Part 12426 from Croft Trailer.

https://www.parttarget.com/3040-01-349-6927_3040013496927_12426.html/-2e4ae085-7ca2-480c-8e59-71740e3ccd10?searchtext=013496927&searchoption=nsn&originalsearchtext=3040013496927

 

[dougco1]

View attachment 787143In "backup mode".View attachment 787144Flipped up for regular "tow mode".

That is ingenious

 

[Mainsail]

My M1101 and both LTT-HC generator trailers back up without brakes applying. Just need to ease into it. I wonder if your "Inertia Damper" shock could be defective. Part 12426 from Croft Trailer.

https://www.parttarget.com/3040-01-349-6927_3040013496927_12426.html/-2e4ae085-7ca2-480c-8e59-71740e3ccd10?searchtext=013496927&searchoption=nsn&originalsearchtext=3040013496927

Looks pretty straightforward to replace. Ordered the part. Thanks!

 

[Tinstar]

The M1101/2 trailers use a “FreeBack” backing plate made by Dexter.
The M101A2/3 trailers did not have them, which is exactly why they have a hole for a
Lockout pin.
They are available for the M101A2/3 and work very well. I installed them on my M101A2 trailers.


The shock probably isn’t the issue but never hurts to have it.
Sounds more like a rust/sticking issue since they worked fine before sitting for an extended period of time.
I would pull the drums and see what might be causing the issue.

 

[Mainsail]

The M1101/2 trailers use a “FreeBack” backing plate made by Dexter.

Do you have any idea what the military calls it? There's nothing in the manual with that name, or anything like it.

 

[Zed254]

Sounds like the shock was not the problem. I searched for the Dexter Free Backing Plate and came up with this: https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/etrailer/AKFBBRK-35R.html . There are a bunch of different sizes at this vendor.

This video explains the concept: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-Demo-etrailer-Trailer-Brakes-AKFBBRK-35R.aspx

 

[Tinstar]

I don’t think the military has a specific name for it.
I do know it’s available commercially.
Bought mine brand new off eBay.
Install super easy.

 

[Mainsail]

Sounds like the shock was not the problem.

Don't know yet- still haven't swapped it out yet. Given how stiff the new one is, if the one I pull out of the trailer is soft I'll believe it's the shock.