Community Forums

tnrzryd · 05-17-2025, 09:45 AM

When towing my car, according to my wheel sensors, the left front runs hot. I’ve also noted an unusual amount of brake dust on the wheel. Thinking the front brake might be dragging, I took to local brake shop. The brakes are fine. So I’m thinking my AF1 might be at fault. Maybe it isn’t releasing the brakes completely. Thoughts?

RayandWendy · 05-17-2025, 10:07 AM

If this is the case, it's your vehicle since AF1 only pushes the pedal, it would be affecting both front brakes the same.

Later...
Ray

Papa Foxtrot · 05-17-2025, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnrzryd

When towing my car, according to my wheel sensors, the left front runs hot. I’ve also noted an unusual amount of brake dust on the wheel. Thinking the front brake might be dragging, I took to local brake shop. The brakes are fine. So I’m thinking my AF1 might be at fault. Maybe it isn’t releasing the brakes completely. Thoughts?

Lots of information missing. Year, model of car. Could ABS be active? Does owner's manual mention disconnecting battery for dinghy towing? Bolded part is suspect also. Caliper might be sticking slightly, but tech says, "looks fine to me"...

Turbojack · 05-17-2025, 10:15 AM

Go to another shop. That one does not understand dragging brakes

tnrzryd · 05-17-2025, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Foxtrot

Lots of information missing. Year, model of car. Could ABS be active? Does owner's manual mention disconnecting battery for dinghy towing? Bolded part is suspect also. Caliper might be sticking slightly, but tech says, "looks fine to me"...

2012 Honda CRV AWD. Negative on disconnecting battery. I’ve towed this car for years and follow owner’s manual instructions. Never had an issue until now. Will try another shop as suggested.

ransil · 05-18-2025, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnrzryd

2012 Honda CRV AWD. Negative on disconnecting battery. I’ve towed this car for years and follow owner’s manual instructions. Never had an issue until now. Will try another shop as suggested.

I would just have the caliper changed, and bleed the fluid a lot.

cheaper at a local shop before a trip then locking up half way to a destination and trying to deal with it.

My RV exhaust causes the right front tire to run hotter than the other 3,

jbhobbs54 · 05-18-2025, 05:20 AM

Have the brake guy check your hoses for a possible bad hose. They can go bad on the inside and keep pressure on the caliper causing it to drag.

USMCRET · 05-18-2025, 06:37 AM

Does your coach exhaust on that side?

Pelledan · 05-18-2025, 07:13 AM

X3 on the coach's engine exhaust outlet being on the left side. I noticed my toad's left front tire running warmer than the other three and my RV's exhaust outlet was only 5-6 feet in front of that tire. Depending on your toad vehicle's engine air inlet location, you may also find yourself replacing that engine air filter more often as well. The soots from my RV's exhaust also collect on my toad's engine air filter as that "air in" piping is also on the front-left side of the car. I assume the soot collects on the inside of the piping and collects onto the air filter when the car is started after being towed 400-500 miles.

Dan

tnrzryd · 05-18-2025, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the suggestions and advise. Have a few things to checkout.

bevandtomH · 05-27-2025, 11:27 AM

Second what Jeff said. You can get build up in the brake hose line (the rubber hose) that can cause the caliper to engage causing drag or worse. More of an issue on higher mileage vehicles and easy to misdiagnose.

RVFunlovers · 05-27-2025, 11:49 AM

My exhaust side tow vehicle front tire runs a few degrees warmer on the external sensor. Just a few because of the exhaust. Not enough to be concerned.