trailer brakes

1stgenxxx

1stgenxxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Location
Hudson
I finally got the brakes on my trailer to work tonight. They are wired correctly but don't work very good. I can turn my P3 all the way up and it will barely hold the truck still while sitting still in drive. The trailer had been sitting for years before I got it......Its a 79?

Where would be a good starting point for trouble shooting? Pads or magnets? I know nothing about about trailer brakes.

Is there anyone good and cheap in the area that I can take it to?
 
Have you pulled the drums and checked the condition of the pads and magnets? The pads may need adjusted (just like drums on a car). Jack it up and spin the wheel. The tire should have a very slight drag. The pads may just need replaced? Aso the magnets may be rusty which could limit thier power? Could have a voltage loss as well. Check with a volt meter. You should have close to 12 volts wit the boost and dial cranked all the way up and the manual brake lever engaged.
 
Be especially sure of the ground going back to the tow rigs battery, it's a long way from trailer brakes to get back to that negitive terminal on the bat.
 
The ground is connected at two points on the trailer and also to the trucks ground. I haul scrap yesterday and the brakes were working a little as I stated above....I got half way there and the brake controller flashed red and said "overcurrent" no trailer brakes.

I don't feel like messing with it. I just want to take it to someone and have them do it. The condition of the wires comming out of the backing plates isn't too good. I'd say that it needs new magnets IIRC the pads looked good when I checked them. The pads also have the suggested slight drag.
 
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