Brake Pad Thickness of etrailer.com 12 Kit # AKEBRK-7-SA and When to Replace

Question:

What is the thickness of trailer brakes 12X2 when new? Also about how many miles should the average trailer brakes last? I know this will be a speculated guess because of so many different factors. Thank You

asked by: Stacy P

Helpful Expert Reply:

I went out to our warehouse to take a look at the etrailer.com Electric Trailer Brake Kit # AKEBRK-7-SA referenced in your question. Using a digital caliper I measured a pad thickness of 0.192 of an inch.

One of the great features unique to the etrailer.com brake assemblies is the automotive grade friction material that is used. This allows the shoes to be worn down all the way to the metal so there isn't a certain pad thickness you need to measure and keep track of to know when they should be replaced. They won't chip or fall apart as they start to wear down like other brand assemblies.

The projected longevity of trailer brakes is really hard to put a number on even as an educated guess as there are so many variables that can change this. It isn't so much the straight mileage that will wear trailer brakes but the amount of times you are braking, the force of the braking, etc. For example if you do a lot of towing on flat highways where there isn't much traffic the brakes will likely last much longer than if you often tow up and down large hills where the brakes would be needed more.

As a simple rule of thumb, we recommend checking the brake assemblies for wear or damage every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

expert reply by: Chris R