Troubleshooting Weak Brakes on a 1992 Rainbow Trailer
Question:
I have a 1992 rainbow trailer that Im refurbishing. The brakes work, energize, actuate BUT they are weak, weak enough that i can still turn the wheels manually. I took the Drum off and everything looks good but when the brakes are actuated i put a hammer to the magnet, the hammer sticks but i can just pull it off. There is 12 V at the harness and 10 V at the brakes. I put a new ground wire close to the axle to make sure i had proper ground, no change. My thoughts are that the odds that all 4 magnets are shot at the same time is slim so has to be an electrical issue. Any advice as to what the next step would be?
asked by: Kyo
Expert Reply:
Did you do the initial brake adjustment? It sounds like your brakes are out of adjustment and need to be set properly and once you do that they should have no problem stopping your trailer. Check out the video I attached beginning at the 4:23 mark to see how the adjustment is done.
A lot of brakes are self adjusting and will keep themselves in adjustment, but if the assemblies you have are old and do not self adjust they may have worn to the point where they are out of adjustment.
Basically you will use a brake adjustment tool to turn the starwheel on the adjuster to expand the brake shoes until the wheel is very difficult to turn by hand. Then back off the starwheel in the other direction, about 10 clicks until the brakes drag slightly. Make sure all brake assemblies are adjusted in the same manner.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- RH
- 3500 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Manual Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- Dexter
more information >
Featured Help Information
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Q&A: Troubleshooting New Trailer Brakes that Seem Weak
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Low Voltage Output on Brake Controller with Brake Pedal and Override Lever
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Low Voltage Output from Brake Controller
- Q&A: Troubleshooting Brake Controller Weak Voltage Output at 7-Way Pin
- Shop: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles
- Shop: Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Shop: Plug-N-Tow (R) Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4 Pole Trailer Connector
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Search Results: tow bar
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Video: Choosing the Right Trailer Wiring
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Shop: Base Plate for Tow Bar
- Shop: Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Video: Roadmaster Tow Bar Wiring - Splices into Vehicle Wiring - RM-15267 Review
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: bx7420
- Q&A: Choosing Between the Brake Buddy Select 3 and the Blue Ox Patriot Supplemental Braking System
- Video: Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit Review
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: 7- and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Socket w/ Mounting Bracket - Vehicle End
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Vehicle Tow Bar Brake System
- Search Results: base plates
- Shop: Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Video: Blue Ox Patriot Portable Braking System Installation - 2022 Ford F-150
on Accessories and Parts
