Troubleshooting New Trailer Brakes that Seem Weak

Updated 11/01/2021 | Published 10/31/2021

Question:

Hi, I have a 2005 Fleetwood Victory pop-up tent trailer. I recently had new brakes installed and ever since then, the trailer brakes are weak. I adjusted the brakes per the recommendations by turning the spindle and making sure the wheels both turn with slight drag. The brake controller seems to work but when I adjust the power control knob event to maximum, the brakes never lock up. The brakes seem to apply but very weakly. Even when I apply the manual slide knob, the brakes will not lock up. Any ideas?

asked by: Tom B

Expert Reply:

Typically with new brakes that seem weak it's a matter of them not being adjusted properly. If they are self-adjusting you can just keep applying them till they adjust to the proper adjustment. If they are manual adjust though you'd just keep tightening them till they will grab hard enough.

Also make sure all of the brake assembly and trailer grounds are connected cleanly as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C