Brake Adjustment

Derek700 · 10-29-2012, 05:25 PM

I think I need to adjust my brakes on the trailer. I am getting a surging happening on light brake applications at slow speed like rolling up to a stop light. I have been towing around for two years with no adjustments done. Does this article sound like the right way to do it? I am mechanicaly inclined it has just been awhile since I have done stuff like this so it will come back once I get going.

http://www.rverscorner.com/Trailer_Brakes.html

Doug · 10-29-2012, 05:35 PM

They have a good video on YouTube, search Electric Trailer Brakes.
That write up is pretty spot on, except I've always been taugh to adjust to a slight drag, not completely free wheeling.
Best regards, Doug

OnTheGo · 10-29-2012, 05:52 PM

I adjusted mine with good results last week. Tighten the shoes against the lining until the wheel is hard to turn - takes a decent effort with one hand - but not locked up. That makes sure both shoes are contacting the drum. Back it off 2 or 3 clicks and you should be okay.

**norty1** · 10-29-2012, 06:28 PM

I would suggest making some minor adjustments on your brake controller if you have that option. It may be a quicker first step than adjusting the brakes. My rig has auto adjusting brakes but they can be manually adjusted if needed.

RedHorse1 · 10-30-2012, 01:55 PM

Before tearing into your trailer brakes I'd suggest rulling out the TV brakes. What you describe could be warped rotors on the TV or out-of-round drums on the TT. You describe as "surging", if you could also describe it as "pulsing" that you can feel in the pedal then I'd think TV brakes.
Good luck and let the crowd know what you find.

exjay1 · 10-31-2012, 05:19 AM

check your controller first. My P2 controller has a button that is very easy to accidently push and activate the boost function which will automatically activate the brakes at a predetermined voltage, even with the lightest touh of the brake petal will cause the brakes to lock or get real grabby (sp).

Doug · 10-31-2012, 06:36 AM

Good catch guys. It's true adjustment would be for 1.) brakes are dragging without pressing on the brake or 2.) brakes are not stopping TT or taking too long to stop when brakes are pressed. This sounds like something else on the TV, TT or controller as stated. The Youtube video does give you an inspection and replacement procedure that looks pretty straight forward. The magnet can be wearing into the back plate improperly, a spring could be broke etc. Would probably be a good idea to pull off the hub and take a look see. Please let us know what you find as the culprit. Best regards, Doug

DieselX · 10-31-2012, 07:19 AM

I was under the impression that the brakes are self adjusting, when you hit the brakes backing up they tighten themselves. Is this not true? Maybe I need to check mine haha.

clutch · 10-31-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselX

I was under the impression that the brakes are self adjusting, when you hit the brakes backing up they tighten themselves. Is this not true? Maybe I need to check mine haha.

I think you will find that some self adjusting brakes will adjust and some don't. Some will over tighten the brakes and some wont turn the adjusting wheel at all.

Derek700 · 10-31-2012, 04:08 PM

Mine work fine at speed, it is just when you are slow rolling up to a stop the pulse. It is like they are on and off, maybe because the application is too light. The new truck I have has a Primus controller in it and I am going to give it a try before I put in the Curt Reflex that was in my F150. My trailer specs show Dexter self adjusting brakes come standard.

tinlizzie23 · 10-31-2012, 08:06 PM

My controller has a setting changeable by turning a thumbwheel that adjusts the amount of current sent to the trailer brakes. When I tow the empty car trailer, the setting has to be very low to prevent wheel lockup even with a light touch on the TV brakes. Then the setting needs to be higher when a car is on the trailer, in order to have sufficient brakes. Then with the 5er, a much higher setting. In all cases, when coming to a slow stop, as at a traffic light, I get some "grabbing" of the trailer brakes when I gently pump the TV brakes. My cure for this is to reach down and manually apply the controller brakes lightly while also applying the TV foot brake. This keeps the trailer brakes from fully releasing and then re-applying, and eliminates the "grabbing".

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