New Trailer Brakes are Weak with Brake Controller Set to Highest Setting

Question:

I purchased a 35 ft. Trailer and my electric brake controller was adjusted to about six and brakes were perfect. My trailer was totaled and I purchased another trailer just like the first one. I have my brake controller adjusted all the way to ten and when you manually apply the trailer brakes in the truck you can barely feel the brakes. How do I get more brake? Manually adjust the trailer brakes tighter?

asked by: Larry N

Expert Reply:

If your trailer was totaled and your truck was not damaged then it sounds like you just need to manually adjust the brakes on your new trailer since you are barely feeling anything with your brake controller set to the highest setting. You can use the Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes # W80630 to assist you with this.

The only other thing that I can think of is if your truck was damaged as well then some of the wiring could be damaged and causing the power loss because of a short. You can verify this by using the 7-Function Digital Multimeter # PT89ZR to test the pin in the 5 o'clock position on the 7-Way connector for your truck (see attached picture). If you turn the power all of the way up on your brake controller and use the manual override the multimeter should be reading at least 12V of power on that pin.

If you adjust the brakes on your trailer (see review video) and it doesn't help, let me know and I can help you troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Jon G