How To Adjust Newly Installed 12 Inch Electric Trailer Brakes

Updated 09/20/2010 | Published 09/19/2010

Question:

How do you adjust newly installed 12 electric trailer brakes

asked by: steve

Expert Reply:

I do have a video that will show how to adjust your electric trailer brakes. I will send you a link to that video and the adjustment procedure will start at the 4:25 mark on the video. I will also explain the adjustment procedure for you.

On the back of your backing plate there will be some rubber caps at the bottom. You will want to take off the cap that is closest to the adjustment wheel on your brake adjuster. Then, you will insert your brake adjusting tool through that hole and tighten up the brakes while rotating the hub until they just stop.

When you can not easily rotate the hub by hand anymore, then you will go ahead and back it off ten clicks. And then check to see how much drag you have. The end result is you should have a very slight drag on the brakes on the hub. Now, ten clicks will get you pretty close to where you need to be. You may have to adjust it in or out depending on how much drag you get.

Now, you will go ahead and replace the cap on the back side of the backing plate. Then, you will go back over to the other side of the axle and repeat the same process.

expert reply by: Jeff D