Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Brakes That Only Work in Reverse

Updated 08/23/2016 | Published 08/22/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs

(245)

$46.55

Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

(218)

$8.08

Question:

I have a 30 foot camper with 3500 lbs axles and electric breaks. When I go full breaking it does not feel like they are working. If I drive in reverse and go to full break I can not push the trailer. Do the breaks need to be replaced or is there a different problem?

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

It is possible you need new brakes, but not necessarily.

The brakes locking up when in reverse is usually because the brakes have recently been installed and they were installed backwards. Brakes are specific to either the left or right side. If they're installed on the wrong sides then you'll feel more braking when going in reverse than forward. The brakes still engage when going forward but possibly not strong enough to feel. If these are the original brakes, then I would not suspect that to be the problem and they likely just need to be adjusted.

There's also a good chance they just need to be adjusted. If your brakes are manual adjust brakes you can use a Brake Adjustment Spoon # W80630 and that may be all you need. If you've never adjusted them there is a very good chance this will fix your problem. This would be the first thing I would check. I've attached a video of brakes being installed onto a trailer. If you skip ahead to about the 3 minute mark it shows you how to adjust the brakes.

You will also want to check that you don't have a faulty ground and that you are getting enough voltage from your brake controller.

I've attached a help article that explains ways to test your brakes that may be helpful.

expert reply by: Charles S