How Long Does It Take New Trailer Brakes to Engage

Updated 09/24/2018 | Published 09/22/2018

Question:

We just installed all four drums and brake kits on our trailer. All four seem to work and we have the correct voltages at each wheel. The voltage goes from zero up to 11.0 as the gain is increased in the truck controller. The problem is when driving, I hardly get any trailer brakes during a stop. I turn the gain all of the way up and I still cant get the trailer brakes to lock up or even slow the truck. Is this normal for new brakes? How long do I have to drive without brakes before the come in? Thank you

asked by: Robert W

Expert Reply:

Yes it is normal for new brakes so it is not something that you should worry about because you probably just haven't traveled far enough yet with your trailer. Electric brakes need about a 200 mile breaking in period to allow the brake shoes and brake magnets to bed into your drum.

During those 200 miles you need to make sure you apply the brakes with a marked decrease in speed at least a couple dozen times and making sure you let the brakes cool between applications. After that you should adjust the brakes and by that point they should perform like you expect.

expert reply by: Kyle S