Troubleshooting Weak Electric Brakes on New R-Pod Trailer

Question

Question:

Hi, we just purchased a newinch 2016 Rpod 10 days ago. The brakes seemed very weak right out of the box. In my excitement, I didnt turn around like I should have. I took it to a more local dealer and everything checked out electronically, the P3, wiring, the amperage going through each side of the trailer. They took off the hubs and made sure no oil or grease was present, reassembled them and sent me on my way. I turned right around because if anything things were worse than before, very weak to no braking. I am able to turn the wheels by hand with full braking applied. They are working but terribly, terribly weak. My only guess is cheap Chinese components. Forest River the Axle manufacturer and the brake supplier to the axle manufacturer are in a pissing contest on this issue. We cancelled 2 planned outings including Mothers Day camping. My question is: Should I just go ahead and purchase and install a set of USA made brakes to try to solve this problem?

asked by: Ronald S

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Expert Reply:

It's certainly possible to replace the electric brakes on your newly purchased R-Pod trailer, but it's hard for me to know if this will resolve your issue, as it's still possible (and more likely) that there is something else going on that is causing the weak braking.

You did mention checking the wiring and brake controller, along with the brake assemblies themselves for any grease or oil, but it sounds like they might not have been adjusted. When weak braking occurs, more times than not it is simply a matter of the brake assemblies not being adjusted properly.

In order to adjust the brakes, you will need to raise the trailer and first check that the wheel and drum rotate freely. You can then use a brake adjusting tool like # W80630 to turn the star wheel at the bottom of the assembly until there is a slight but constant drag of the shoe pads on the drum. I have attached a video demonstration of an electric brake installation that you can take a look at. At around the 4:40 mark in the video, you can see the brake adjustment process.

If this does not resolve the issue, please let me know and I will be happy to look into this further.

expert reply by: Chris R

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Answer 1

I looked up your 2016 Rpod 179 and the #328-003-6019R light looks a lot like what you have. I can't be sure without measuring your light but this one is 5-3/8 inches in total diameter. The mounting holes are also 4-1/8 inches apart on center.…

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Answer 2

I am not entirely sure what process you took so I'll give you some other things to try, or maybe a different way to test the Prodigy P3 #90195. First, sever the blue wire a couple inches from the back of your controller. Then use a circuit tester…

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Answer 3

First, since you have changed something on the braking system, it is recommended to go through and re-set the brake controller as if it were the first time. In doing so make sure that it is mounted within its range as described in the instructions…

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Answer 4

Yes, you can manually adjust self-adjusting brakes with a spoon like the drum brake spoon #W80630. If you let me know what is going on with your brakes I can try to help you troubleshoot why your brakes need to be adjusted.

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Answer 5

You are not crazy, some times the brakes will be turned down opposed to up for tightening. Drum brakes star wheel adjusters have directional teeth that will let you use an adjustment spoon like the Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes #W80630 or…

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Answer 6

In order to adjust manual trailer braking assemblies you will first need the correct tool which is the Brake Adjustment Spoon part #W80630. Once you have this tool you can remove the rubber plug from the back of the braking assembly, spin the…

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Answer 7

You should be turning the star wheel up to tighten your brakes and turning it down to loosen the brakes. Since you are doing the opposite, it could mean the brakes are improperly mounted and I recommend taking a look at your brake assemblies to see…

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Answer 8

The suspension in general on your trailer looks very worn. I would replace as much as I could on it to get it back to good working order. The problem with the equalizer cocked to one side like that can happen sometimes. It usually fixes itself when a…

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Answer 9

If your trailer was totaled and your truck was not damaged then it sounds like you just need to manually adjust the brakes on your new trailer since you are barely feeling anything with your brake controller set to the highest setting. You can use…

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Answer 10

The only way to tell if you have self-adjusting brakes or manual-adjust brakes is to look at the brake assembly you have. If you see the cable as demonstrated in the accompanying photo, you have self-adjusting like the Electric Trailer Brake Kit -…

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Answer 11

The issue you are having with your trailer brakes is most likely from a lack of adjustment. If you have manual adjust braking assemblies then you need a brake spoon part #W80630 to turn the adjuster wheel on the back to increase braking power. You…

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Answer 12

There are several items you might want to try using for removal of corrosion in your 7-way trailer connector, like part #HM48480. White Vinegar A wedge shaped, slip on pencil eraser or art gum eraser Pipe cleaners PB Blaster If the corrosion is…

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Troubleshooting Weak Electric Brakes on New R-Pod Trailer

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