Why Are Trailer Manufacturer's Installing Brake Assemblies Only On The Rear Axle

Updated 08/15/2024 | Published 08/11/2024

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Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs

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Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

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Question:

This is what I have always thought and it makes just common sense you want the brakes on the axle thats going to carry the most weight when stopping but I have noticed lately most trailers have the brakes on the rear axle I just bought a 20 ft One brakes are on rear axle my son-in-law about a 7,000 lb trailer brakes on the rear axle also and we have noticed that they slide kind of easily why are they going to the rear axle for the brakes ?

asked by: Eddie

Expert Reply:

Hey Eddie,

Typically they run the brakes to the first axle because it does carry more weight than the rear in most cases and because it's less cost/time consuming to go to the first axle. I can't say for certain why they would run the brakes to the rear axle but it's likely because in some way it's easier or cheaper to do for that manufacturer. I would just add brakes to the front axle as well for better braking power if it were my trailer.

When you say the brakes slide do you mean that they aren't stopping the wheels strong/fast enough? If so they may just need to be adjusted. If you have non-self adjusting brake assemblies you can pop out the little plugs in the back of the assemblies and tighten up the adjust adjustment sprocket using a brake spoon # W80630.

expert reply by: Kevin C

load distribution
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Eddie

8/14/2024

Even with brake controller turned up as far as it will go trailer brakes will not locked tires even in grass in gravel they will lock up in loose gravel but when you get to the hard gravel that's packed they just turn freely again they do catch a little but they never will lock the tires up completely I have adjusted them to where I felt like they were in good adjustments so it's not that it's kind of freaky I don't know what's going on never had a trailer to do this before

Kevin C.

8/15/2024

@Eddie Check the voltage at the brake assemblies while you're using the manual override on the brake controller. If you have the brake controller set to max gain, which should be 12 volts) and you're not seeing 12 volts back at the assembly then there's an issue with the wiring and you're getting too much voltage drop. What gauge wire is running from your trailer connector/junction box back to the brake assemblies?