Trailer Brakes Not Performing Well After Installing New Brake Assemblies and Drums

Question:

I purchased an electric 10 inch hub and brake assembly. It looks fine but just doesnt brake hard... doesnt lock up tires. 12 volts to magnet, everything new? I have read about this before, do the shoes need to be sanded to contour to hub? How do I do that?

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

The fact that a trailer brake won't lock doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. For best braking, you do not want the brakes to lock up. A skidding tire doesn't provide optimal braking. However, if you can get things adjusted so that the brakes apply to a degree just short of lock up, you'll have the most effective braking possible. Since you have new hubs and brake assemblies, you shouldn't need to sand anything.

Since the magnets are getting 12 volts, the most likely cause of what you have going on is out of adjustment brake assemblies. Brake assemblies can require an initial adjustment, and it's something you'll want to check every not and then. I've linked you to a video showing how to adjust the brake assemblies. Simply fast forward the video to the 4:35 mark.

expert reply by: Mike L