Troubleshooting Brakes on Pop-Up Camper

Updated 01/05/2012 | Published 01/02/2012

Products Featured in This Question

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

(368)

$66.56

Digital Multimeter with 42" Long Test Leads - LED Display

(3)

$21.89

Question:

I bought all new parts from you to install electric brakes on my pop-up trailer. I installed everything and after testing realized that the grease seal was installed incorrectly leading to a massive amount of grease within the break assembly. Ive removed the excess grease and cleaned all pads and drums with break cleaner but the breaks are still very weak. I also get a ticking sound when applying the breaks. With the exception of the pads, would the excess grease cause a failure of this sort? If not, what would cause the ticking sounds and weak breaks? Thanks.

asked by: Nathan

Expert Reply:

For starters, I would recommend doing some troubleshooting.

Use a multimeter like part # PT89ZR and test the leads feeding the brake assembly magnets. Have a helper activate the manual braking switch on the controller, while you probe the wire. You should be getting approximately 12-volts at the brake magnet.

The Nev-R-Adjust brake assemblies are known to click, make sure that they are installed on the correct side of the trailer. The # 23-469 should be installed on the right (passenger) side of the trailer, and the 23-428 should be installed on the left (driver) side. If the assemblies were placed on the wrong side, they would constantly click. If the stickers on the assemblies that indicate which side they go on are no longer present, the silver magnet arm should be on the side of the assembly closest to the front of the trailer with the magnet at the bottom. See provided photo.

If you had to disassemble the brake assembly, make sure it was put back together correctly. The ticking you are hearing might be the springs on the brake assembly coming into contact with another piece of the assembly. Also, during the disassembly, the brakes might have come out of adjustment. Although the Nev-R-Adjust brakes are self-adjusting, they do require initial adjustment upon installation.

To see how to adjust trailer brakes, use the video link I provided. Fast forward to the 4:50 mark, and you can see our installer adjusting a trailer brake assembly.

expert reply by: Mike L