Do Self-Adjusting Trailer Brake Assemblies Require Initial Adjustment

Question:

I purchased 12inch self adjusting brakes for my tandem axle trailer. My question is, do I need to adjust these brakes on the initial install, or will they adjust themselves? Thanks.

asked by: Bruce A

Expert Reply:

Self adjusting brakes will adjust themselves upon initial install. At first they will feel pretty weak but with every brake application (while moving) they will get tighter and tighter until they are properly tensioned.

What I would do is find a parking lot or even your subdivision street and while traveling at a slow speed grab the manual override lever of your brake controller several times until you feel the brakes get to where they need to be.

You can manually adjust them but that's more work than would make it worth it.

expert reply by: Jameson C