Should Manual Override Lever of Brake Controller Lock Up Trailer Brakes
Question:
On a Hopkins Agility 47294, should I be able to lock up the trailer brakes with the manual slide? I get some braking but cant get anything aggressive ..
asked by: Ron W
Helpful Expert Reply:
With the manual override slid of the Hopkins Agility part # HM47294 that you referenced you should be able to lock up the trailer brakes if you have the gain set all the way up and the lever slid all the way. When setting the gain for a brake controller you want to go with a braking power that just barely doesn't lock up the tires.
I would check the main ground for the trailer. This is the wire that runs from the trailer connector to the trailer frame and provides the ground for the entire trailer. The ground strap may have come loose and now may not be strong enough to fully apply the trailer brakes.
This could be a magnet wiring problem. It is unlikely that the magnets are bad on new assemblies, but if the wiring is not properly connected, it could cause problems. Check to see that the magnets are properly grounded to a clean, bare metal surface free of corrosion. A bad ground would not allow the circuit to be complete and lead to the brakes not performing like they should.
The new brake assemblies may also not be adjusted properly. You will want to have the adjustment screw tightened to the point where the wheel locks up and then back it off 10 clicks. Check out the video I attached at the 4:25 mark.
