Do Electric Trailer Brakes Work in Reverse

Published 02/19/2015

Question:

How do electric brakes work in reverse ? As the magnet on the drum surface will be pushing in the wrong direction for the the arm.

asked by: James G

Expert Reply:

When the brake magnet is pushed in either direction on the brake assembly (forward or backward), the brake shoes are forced apart which activates the trailer brakes. When pushed backwards the brakes won't apply quite as hard as when going forward, but they still do work.

I have had brake assemblies at my desk and wondered the same thing so I pushed the actuating arm forward and backwards and found that either direction causes the shoes to push out.

expert reply by: Jameson C