Tandem Axle Trailer Electric Brake Force Adjustment

Updated 03/21/2018 | Published 03/20/2018

Question:

Hey there, we have a tandem electric brake trailer where the front brakes lock up too easily. All the brakes work and the amperage draw is in the range it should be for 4 magnets. When we jack all the wheels off the ground, all brakes stop turning wheels by hand. The brake assemblies are nearly new. We placed wood blocks on the front side of the spring equalizers to stop the rotational effect of the front axle placing more down pressure on the rear axle through the equalizer and the result was good working brakes all around. What can we do to keep the braking ability equal all the time between the two axles? It seems to be totally related to the equalizer function. Thanx

asked by: Sal

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you may just need to adjust the tension on the brakes on the front axle.

A tool like Brake Spoon # W80630, shown in the linked video, or a flat blade screwdriver can be used to rotate the star wheel adjuster which is under the magnet. The brake shown in the video is hydraulic but the adjustment star wheel and the process are the same for electric drum brakes.

If the brakes are not all identical and installed at the same time this different braking force is not surprising. Brakes can certainly leave the factory with different initial tension.

expert reply by: Adam R