Troubleshooting Brake Shoe Wear on Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Brake Assemblies

Question:

My 5th wheel trailer has 12x2inch Dexter never adjust brake assemblies and Dexter brake drums. These brakes are the origional factory brakes and I have 30000 miles on them. All four wheels show identical ware but I have noticed something which I thought might be unusual in the ware pattern. The front shoe on all wheels measures 3/16inch in thickness and does not vary on all wheels. The rear shoe on all wheels measures 1/8inch in thickness. In one of your postings you mentioned that dexter shoes on 12inch never adjust brakes measure 3/16inch in thickness when new. Can you explain why all of my front shoes show minor ware. My trailer is a 2011 Montana Mountaineer by Keystone 290RLT 5th wheel with a dry weight of 9900 lbs., 32.5 feet long. Thanks

asked by: Earl L

Expert Reply:

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 12" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 7K # 23-464-465 that you mentioned have a brake material thickness of 3/16 inch. If you are measuring only the brake shoe material and not the metal plate and have that 3/16 inch measurement, then it appears the assemblies were either not installed correctly or they did not function as designed.

I recommend replacing them if you have any question about their braking abilities. It could be that your amount of use and your trailer weight along with your brake controller adjustment have simply not worn them down and to increase your braking you can simply adjust the intensity of your brake controller as the pads seem to be in good shape for 30,000 miles.

It is odd the brake shoes show almost no wear on that front shoe, so I'd check the assembly to make sure the adjuster is working properly as it should have a proportional amount of wear to the rear shoe.

expert reply by: Jason S