How To Troubleshoot Weak Braking Power With Electric Trailer Brakes On A New Trailer
Question:
truck has factory integrated brake controller. when i use the manual override I have very little force at the trailer brakes . I have adjusted the brakes like you have shown in the videos. trailer has very little use since new in 2014. I saw a video that said in would not have full power without a load, but as I have learned manual override puts full 12 V to brakes. Am I not right?
asked by: Kevin K
Expert Reply:
You are correct in that a manual override switch will apply the maximum braking power of the trailer brakes, if functioning properly.
There are two things you may want to check. The first thing I would do is check to see the trailer brakes are properly grounded. There are two wires coming from the back of an electric brake assembly. One will run into the trailer's wiring harness and the other will be grounded to the frame. As these are nonpolar, it doesn't matter which wire has which function just so long as they are both connected.
The next thing you will want to check is the brake shoes. In some cases, the grease seal will become faulty and cause grease to seep out onto your brake pads causing inefficient braking.
I have attached a help article that will demonstrate how to check if the brake magnets are functioning properly.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- LH
- 3500 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Self Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- Dexter
more information >
Continue Researching
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Article: Testing Brake Controls
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Q&A: How to Test Brake Magnet Amperage on a Trailer with 4 Brakes
- Q&A: Should Electric Trailer Brakes Have Continuity Between The Two Wires?
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Bad Ground on Trailer Brake Circuit
- Video: Hopkins Tow Doctor Trailer End Test Unit Review
- Video: Review of CURT Electrical Tools - 7-Way LED Circuit Tester - C73NR
- Video: Optronics Trailer Lights - Clearance Lights - MC32ABB Review
- Video: Review of TecNiq Trailer Lights - Clearance Lights - TN72RR
- Video: Buyers Products Wiring 3375601100 Review
- Shop: Curt Echo Wireless Brake Controller - 7-Way Plug Mount w/ Bluetooth App - 1 to 2 Axle - Proportional
- Shop: Tekonsha 7-Way, RV-Style Tester for Brake Controllers - LED Test Lights
- Shop: Circuit Tester for Curt Brake Controllers
- Shop: Curt 7-Way to RV Socket LED Circuit Tester - Vehicle End
- Shop: Hopkins Tow Doctor Trailer End Test Unit
- Shop: Mini Clearance/Side Marker Light w/ Grommet - Submersible - Amber LED - Amber Lens - 9" Pigtail
- Shop: Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light w/ Reflex Reflector - Rectangle - Amber Lens - Black Base
- Video: Trailer Brakes and Wiring Installation
- Video: Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit Installation
- Q&A: Nev-R-Adjust Trailer Brakes are Not Locking Up After Re-packing Bearings
- Q&A: New Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Trailer Brakes are Not Locking Up
- Q&A: Adjusting Dexter 10K Electric Trailer Brakes
- Q&A: How to Initially Adjust the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes
- Article: Brake Controller Installation: Starting from Scratch
- Article: Troubleshooting Brake Controller Installations
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: 44649
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Search Results: 68149