Does Using More Powerful Brake Magnet in Trailer Brakes Make Brakes Work Better

Published 11/04/2025

Question:

I have 3500 pounds Dexter electric brakes on a 33 foot enclosed aluminum trailer. Do you make a stronger magnet for the brakes or is a magnet from a heavier axle that will work? Thsnks

asked by: Tony L

Expert Reply:

Hey Tony, so the reason you don't want to try and use a more powerful magnet (if possible) is because it doesn't actually make the brakes more powerful. It actually just makes them harder to dial in as what happens is it feels like the brakes are either too powerful or not powerful enough.

If your brakes are feeling weak you might check to make sure they are properly adjusted and also make sure a grease seal hasn't blown and leaked into the drum to make them essentially non-functional. Have they always felt weak?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Tony L.

11/4/2025

Thanks for your reply. The original brakes worked great. They wore out so replaced them with Chinese stuff. Still had VERY little brake effect with the controller on high so replaced the Chinese stuff with Dexter self adjusting brakes plates and your galvanized drums. They are adjusted properly and I still have the same problem. I have 11.8 volts at the magnets It’s not the truck controllers because I can hook on to my son’s trailer and lock his brakes up with my controller on high. Any ideas on the problem?

Jameson C.

11/4/2025

@TonyL Did you burnish the brake assemblies when you installed them?

Tony L.

11/4/2025

@JamesonCi did not. Could you explain more in detail. Thank you

Jameson C.

11/4/2025

@TonyL Here's the process for it. It allows brakes to achieve max effectiveness: If you’re installing new brakes on your trailer, this step is for you. The break-in process applies to both manual adjusting and self-adjusting electric brakes. It's necessary to do this step when you install new brakes because it allows the brake shoes and magnet to seat into the drum. 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 (usually the middle setting will be just fine). 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 30 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 don't see these signs, then keep repeating the process until your brakes are properly seated.

Helpful Links

faq-adjust-trailer-brakes.aspx