Trailer brakes working?

[donnymac]

I don't no but it sure seems like the brakes aren't doing much. I have a couple of long hills and after coming down them with some speed and pumping the brakes(surge on the trailer) they don't seem even warm. Is there a definant way to check if they are operating?

D.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

Ayuh,...

Try Backing Up a hill, without the brake by-pass engaged......

You should be able to Feel the resistence from the trailer Brakes....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

yeah like that, if working you should have the trailer tires locking up, or close to it.

 

[donnymac]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

III like it! Thank-you very much.

D.

 

[burp]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

If you have disk brakes and a 5 wire electrical connector on the trailer, unplug the trailer's electrical connector before you try backing uphill. Otherwise the tow vehicle's backup lights will energize the lockout solenoid on the trailer brakes through the trailer connector's blue wire and the brakes won't activate.

 

[donnymac]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

Rats, there are not working! Now, because I have them fancy oil bath bearings, I have to find a 2 1/2" socket to get the cap off just so I can access the drums. Geez they seemed like a good idea at the time

 

[burp]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

How old is the trailer? With oil baths, I would think it's fairly new. Before you tear too far into it. I'd start with checking for sufficient brake fluid in the reservoir. Then I'd make sure the brake shoes are adjusted. Jack up one side of the trailer, spin the wheel and adjust the star adjuster until the wheel barely drags. Then back the star adjuster back a couple of "clicks" so the drum doesn't drag when the wheel is turned. Repeat on the other wheel. Then bleed the brake lines of any air. After that, if the brakes still don't work, then I'd tear apart the hub to get at the drum.

 

[Wotam]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

Most of the surge brake assemblies I've seen are NOT self adusting.
Have you tried adusting the brakes?

 

[donnymac]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

yeah, I'm going to try adjusting first. Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the advice.

D.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench in here, but there is such a thing as "free backing" drum brakes. Before I converted to disc brakes, that is what was on my trailer. They worked fine going forward but would provide no braking when backing up. After adjusting your brakes as described, spin your tire while someone operates the surge coupler. The tire should lock up almost instantly.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

Thats why i like electric brakes.I'm not in salt water though.
The surge brakes do well when adjusted right.Hopefully thats all it needs..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

ryoung, properly installed hydrolic brakes, have a solenoid, that is activated by the backup lights, on the vehicle, this solenoid blocks the fluid flow when backing. most people never even think about it or know they have one.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

TD, I agree if we are talking about disc brakes. I had to install that solenoid when I converted to disc's, if it is not energized, you cannot budge the trailer in reverse. There was no solenoid used with my drum brakes though, the free backing feature is in the design of the shoes and their mounting. I am not sure exactly how they work, but you could back up hill with them with no problem. I am still not clear which type of brake donnymac has.

 

[donnymac]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

I have surge brakes with a back-up lever which I use, just never thought about it much because I don't or haven't backed up a hill.

D.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

D.
Surge brakes can be disc or drum. If you have free backing drum brakes, you do not need to use the back-up lever. By design, they just do not provide any braking in reverse. We may be losing sight of you original question though. If you jack up a wheel and spin the tire while someone operates the coupler, the wheel should stop. If it doesn't, your brakes are not working no matter if they are drums or discs.

 

[ebry710]

Re: Trailer brakes working?

I agree with ryoung. It takes two people for that test, but it can show if the system is working. Once you do that then use the manual brake switch on your controllor and try to lock the trailer brake while your traveling at a slow speed. If your worried about the trailer, then do it on a gravel road and you should hear and see skidding. Have that second person walk behind the trailer for confirmation. Walkie-talkies are handy for both tests.