Why Would Trailer Brakes Feel Weaker Over Time

Published 11/02/2016

Question:

When leaving the lake one day I forogot to plug my 5pin connector back in to my boat trailer problem with people stealing them around here and towed it home on the highway. When I went to back it up onto the driveway the brakes kicked in and thats when I realized my mistake. Ever since then when I reverse my trailer onto my driveway the coupler seems to slide back further than it did before and I have a hard time removing my trailer from the ball. My driveway in on a bit of an incline but I didnt have the problem before hand and it seems like the trailer isnt breaking as good as it did at the beginning of the season. I just had the breaks/rotors done and lines bled/filled in June and this happened in August. Cannot find the problem and want to avoid taking it back to the repair shop. Would you have any idea what the issue is?

asked by: Mike T

Expert Reply:

Failing to plug in your 5-way so that the reverse lockout solenoid would kick in would not be why your brakes are weaker now. Most likely you just need to adjust the brakes a bit tighter. Drum brakes require periodic adjustment so that they maintain the appropriate amount of braking power.

There is a star wheel at the bottom of the assemblies that needs to be adjusted so that a slight drag is felt on the wheel when turning by hand. Check out the review video I attached for more info on that. At about the 4:39 mark our installer begins adjusting the brakes.

expert reply by: Jameson C