How Are Self Adjusting Trailer Brake Assemblies Normally Adjusted When Trailer is Moving

Updated 06/25/2021 | Published 06/22/2021

Products Featured in This Question

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

(371)

$75.62

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(109)

$1.91

Question:

I have Lippert self adjusting brakes on my 2017 5th wheel RV. The braking became very week even when the override was set to 10. I took the RV to a trailer repair shop where they said the brakes and drum were not worn and are in like new condition. They said there is no way to manual adjust the brakes. They said to go to a parking lot and apply the brakes while going in reverse about 12 times and they will adjust. I tried that and it was no better. Also tried it forward with no results. I then pulled the brake adjustment covers off and could not see the manual star adjuster. In a previous response you said, you can go to an empty parking lot, get going up to 25 mph, and then hit your brakes and use your manual override on your brake controller. This will be a hard stop like an emergency but it should properly adjust your brakes after a few times. Does this mean to hit the brakes and the manual override at the same time?

asked by: John

Expert Reply:

To tension self-adjusting brake assemblies like the part # AKEBRK-35L-SA you would need to be travelling forward and at any speed and with the brake pedal or the manual override each application should click the adjusters tighter until they are the correct tightness. It sounds like you would have accomplished this through one of your attempts at this.

So the next thing I would check is the gauge of the wires of your brake output circuit. Is it 10 gauge? If not, it would be a good idea to upgrade to it with part # 10-1-1 which is 10 gauge wire sold by the foot.

expert reply by: Jameson C