How To Tell If You Have Manual or Self-Adjusting Braking Assemblies

Updated 10/03/2019 | Published 10/02/2019

Question:

I have a 2015 Keystone Hideout, model 27DBS. It has 2 axles. I saw and read almost the same question/answer but it only referenced the presence of the auto adjust cable that you can see when you take off the hub. Is their a way to tell what brake system you have by not having to remove the hub? I.e. presence of different kind of dust plugs on backside? Thanks!

asked by: Richard H

Expert Reply:

The only true what to tell if a trailer has self-adjusting or manual adjusting braking assemblies will indeed be to remove the hub and look for the self-adjust cable (see photo). I am not aware of another method for this as the model number (if present) is generally placed on a sticker inside the assembly which also requires you to remove hub. The adjuster plug would be the same as well regardless. That said, although not as exact as the above if you were to craw under the trailer and read the serial number on the axle tag that could then be used to verify if the trailer came with either self-adjusting or manual adjusting braking assemblies but this would not account for them being replaced with another set.

Please note, you can replace a set of self-adjusting braking assemblies with manual adjusting braking assemblies or vice versa. I have attached a list of our braking assembly selection for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L