Troubleshooting New Trailer Brakes That Have Little To No Braking Power

Updated 02/18/2026 | Published 06/19/2024

Question:

Hi Over the winter i rebuilt a travel trailer. New axles brakes suspension and house. I took it for a test drive and the trailer brakes were nearly non existant. I took it two a service place and they adjusted each wjeel end 4. Now the brakes work lightly. About what i would expect if gain was 1 or 2. Problem is gain is 10. I should be pulling skids on gravel roads vut bairly stops when idling with auto in drive. Question is, what can i do to get the auto adjusters to adjust the rest of the way? Is it stoppin while going backwards. Stopping while going forwards doesnt seem to do it. Robert V

asked by: Robert V

Expert Reply:

Hello Robert, thanks for reaching out. When you put these new brakes on, did you complete the break-in process? The break-in or "bedding" process is necessary for new brakes because it allows the brake shoes to seat correctly in the drum. If you get new brakes and do not break them in, you will see little to no braking power no matter what you do. Based on what you are telling me, it sounds like this is what is going on. Here are the steps for completing the brake-in process:

-Drive the trailer out into an open area, like an empty parking lot. Get up to around 40 MPH and apply the manual override on your brake controller. Make sure the brake controller is set high enough where it will fully engage the trailer brakes (in your case I would do the gain at like 7-10). Do not hit the brake pedal during this time, as you want to slow down your vehicle and trailer with only the trailer brakes. You’ll most likely have to do this about 20 to 40 times to properly seat the brakes.

- When you feel like your brakes are properly seated, pull over and check for signs that you're done: a bit of smoke is normal and your brakes should be very hot (brakes should read 350-400 degrees with a temperature gun). If you have done it right you should be able to smell it. If you don't see these signs, then keep repeating the process until your brakes are properly seated. Once completed the brakes will function as intended.

Please give this a try and let me know how things go. You should not have to keep turning up the adjusters to get more braking power. You can adjust them slightly, but the braking will still be weak if the shoes are not bedded. I am here if you have any other questions.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jesse M.

2/17/2026

Hey Robert, how did things go after you tried the break-in process on your new trailer brakes? Did you notice stronger braking once the shoes seated properly? Your update could make it easier for others working with the same self-adjusting brakes.

Robert V.

2/17/2026

@JesseM been operating for about a year now with controller set at 10. Year is about 1000 mi. I ve gone down montain passes with manualky hitting breaks at full. After doing this several times i can now feel the breaks but the never overheated and all wheels break equilly meh. I have gon e on dirt roads to skid them and all four will show signs of working. The all work if i jack up the wheel so it isnt a solenoid not connected problem. At 10 setting getting 12v to each wheel end. So they are mhe and i use the engine for most braking any way. Miss my old ones which would pull a skid on pavement with a setting of 7.

Jesse M.

2/18/2026

@RobertV Hey Robert, thanks for the feedback! It sounds like everything is working evenly and as designed, just not as aggressive as your previous setup. If you are getting full 12V output at 10 and all four wheels respond equally, that points to the system being in good working order. Appreciate you sharing the real-world results after some miles on them.