Troubleshooting Weak Trailer Brakes After Install of Self-Adjusting Brake Assemblies

Published 09/29/2022

Question:

I installed you new e trailer Eletric brakes and new brake drums. After completion, the brakes won’t fully engage. I lifted the axle and manually activated the brake controller and it would stop the wheel from spinning, but when pulling the trailer at 10 miles per hour with the gain at 10 it won’t stop the trailer. I know I am getting power to the brakes, what is going on?

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

Self adjusting brake assemblies like the etrailer assemblies part # AKEBRK-35-SA can sometimes take several applications before they really start to grab the trailer brakes. So what I would do is find a parking lot or somewhere secluded you can drive slowly and do about 10 MPH and grab and release the manual override lever of your brake controller until you feel the brakes get strong. They will continue to adjust with every application till they easily will lock the wheels up.

expert reply by: Jameson C