Electric Trailer Brakes Are Weak

Updated 04/01/2021 | Published 03/30/2021

Question:

Still have same issue tighten brakes and still not grabbing well cant lock them up bearly feel them going slow empty trailer. Set e brake nothing bearly grab I can hear them hum

asked by: Brian S

Expert Reply:

When you say "tighten brakes" does that mean you have adjusted them? Because the large majority of the time, weak trailer brakes are a sign that they need a proper adjustment, and the hum is an indication that there is some power getting through. I have added a link below to a help article on trailer brake adjustment you may want to check out. However, if you have already adjusted them there are a couple of other issues potentially causing the issue.

The largest possibility is that you have a weak ground at the brakes. The reason I say that because a weak ground would explain why there would not be full power getting through to the brakes. The magnets could also be worn or have a short, so you also definitely want to test your magnets for the proper voltage with Multimeter # PT29ZR.

I have added a link to a help article on how to properly test brake magnets which I highly recommend taking a look at as well.

expert reply by: Kyle S