Are All Electric Trailer Brakes Self-Adjusting

Updated 05/17/2018 | Published 05/16/2018

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K

(3251)

$181.47

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

(306)

$86.57

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs

(349)

$112.94

Question:

Are trailer brakes self adjusting? I have a 2015 Grand Design Fifthwheel and need to adjust my brakes. Wondering if backing up and tapping the brakes will do the job.

asked by: Lee

Expert Reply:

Trailer brakes can be either self-adjusting like the Dexter # 23-468 or may require periodic manual adjustments like # 23-27, depending on the particular model assemblies you have installed on the trailer. An easy way to tell if you have self-adjusting units is to pull the hub/drum off the trailer spindle and check for an adjustable cable that would extend across the brake assembly (see attached picture). If this is present, then you have self-adjusting brake assemblies that will adjust themselves as you apply the brakes during normal travel. Keep in mind though that even self-adjusting brakes do require an initial adjustment after installing new units.

Otherwise, if you find you have brake assemblies that do require manual adjustments (there is not an adjustment cable present), they will indeed need to be adjusted periodically. I have attached an installation video that you can check out. At around the 4:40 mark of the video, you can see the process for adjusting electric brakes that you might find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R