Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes that Won't Lock Up When Brake Controller is All the Way Maxed Out

Question:

I recently purchased the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional - 90195. It plugged right into my 2006 Tundra and installed without a hitch, pun intended Per the instructions started with initial adjustments at 6.0 manual brake force, worked all the way up to 14.0 max but never made brakes lock up. Does this indicated the pop up trailer 2001 coleman brakes are worn or need adjustment? Thanks for your help.

asked by: Russell S

Expert Reply:

Typically when a brake controller is maxed out and the trailer brakes won't lock up it means the brakes are out of adjustment. If they are manual adjust you'll need to tighten them with a brake spoon like part # W80630 to the point there is a light drag as you turn the wheel by hand. Other possibility is that you have a blown grease seal which is causing grease to get in the brake drum and not allow the brakes to grab like they should.

Either way it's probably a good idea to take the hubs off of the axle and inspect the drums/assemblies to see if theres anything wrong. I attached a video that covers inspecting trailer hubs for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C