Adjustment of Electric Drum Brakes on Tandem Axle Travel Trailer

Question:

My power brakes on dual axle caravan hum both dont engage the magnets. All lights work on the caravan, and power brake controller but magnets wont engage. Can you advise how I can solve this problem. Cheers

asked by: Graeme C

Expert Reply:

Electric drum brakes on a trailer/caravan will emit audible humming noises when the magnets are energized by a vehicle-mounted brake controller such as the Prodigy P2 # 90885. This humming sounds is perfectly normal and it tells you that power is reaching the brakes as it should.

You may need to simply adjust the drum brakes' tension so that the pads better engage the inside drum surface. This is done using the star wheel adjustment shaft on the brakes, which is just below the magnets. This wheel can be accessed from the back side of the brake; look for a slot or a slot with a rubber plug in it; then insert a tool like # W80630 or a flat blade screwdriver to rotate the star wheel for more pad tension. Please see the linked video at the 11:40 mark.

If adjustment does not help and/or if the caravan's brakes are very old or well-worn you might want to test them as outlined in the linked article.

expert reply by: Adam R