How to test the trailer brakes without a TV?

Agree that the only way to know is pull the drums and visually inspect.

I tried the tip on jacking up and pulling pin. Brakes turn 1/4 revolution or so and got tight. Still seemed to have some issues. Some brakes may be getting full voltage and others not.

I found some not getting full voltages from loose connections and and others adjusted slightly more than others. A DC voltage meter is required to determine how many volts each brake is receiving. That will tell you if the voltage is correct but not if they are adjusted properly.


There are also other methods such as seeing if the brakes will lock up on loose gravel/

janegowest wrote:

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:

janegowest wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a humming sound.

Thanks everyone!! Please tell where the emergency/break-away pin might be located...

The emergency break away pin should be near the trailer ball receiver. It is on the wire or cable that you should be attaching to the TV. If the trailer separates from the TV this cable should pull out and apply full breaking power to the trailer.

Oh...so there is this one cable to test all of the 4 brakes? Can we just jack up the whole trailer to test all four of them more quickly, or do we have to jack up one at a time only?

Other than nice to know info - not sure of the "why" for the question here, as...

"janegowest" is RV shopping.

*If* I was selling a trailer -TT or 5th- and a potential buyer wanted to go thru any of the test procedures listed, I would tell 'em they will have to take my word for it until a *non-refundable* deposit has changed hands. (Say - $100).
Then I would be happy to take 'em for a "genuine" test drive - or tell 'em I will take it to the (local) mechanic of *their* choice, on their dime.

If I'm a seller with a nice RV, there's just not enough time to play games for nit-pickers and tire-kickers when (other) potential buyers are "waiting in the wings"!

And -at least where I live (So. CA) well-kept, clean, appropriately priced RVs - are *always* in demand.

"OutWest" - Put a 20' TT on CraigsList about midnight, first call -to voicemail at 2AM- over 50 calls by 5PM following day. Started returning calls. First caller -the 2AM guy- paid cash at 9PM.
So, done deal in less than 24 hours!

BTW - he never asked about brakes, they were perfect - with pics if he wanted to see them. Same for awning we never extended.

As a buyer in (winter) snow country, or (summer) high-humidity areas of the US, the need for a brake job would be way down the list of my concerns when inspecting an RV for sale.


~

The weakest/worst brakes, even if the magnets engage, can't be checked by hand. A hub & brake assembly with grease can't be turned by hand. Pull it apart or road test it.

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:

janegowest wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a
humming sound.

Thanks everyone!! Please tell where the emergency/break-away pin might be located...

The emergency break away pin should be near the trailer ball receiver. It is on the wire or cable that you should be attaching to the TV. If the trailer separates from the TV this cable should pull out and apply full breaking power to the trailer.

Oh...so there is this one cable to test all of the 4 brakes? Can we just jack up the whole trailer to test all four of them more quickly, or do we have to jack up one at a time only?

Personally I would not depend on using the breakaway system to check the breaks unless I had looked at the break shoes recently.

janegowest wrote:

fitznj wrote:
Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a
humming sound.

Thanks everyone!! Please tell where the emergency/break-away pin might be located...

The emergency break away pin should be near the trailer ball receiver. It is on the wire or cable that you should be attaching to the TV. If the trailer separates from the TV this cable should pull out and apply full breaking power to the trailer.

fitznj wrote:
Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a
humming sound.

Just because the magnets are energized does not mean the brakes are any good. Linings could be shot, mechanism could be frozen, etc. Turn the wheels to be sure.

fitznj wrote:
Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a
humming sound.

Thanks everyone!! Please tell where the emergency/break-away pin might be located...

Instead of jacking up each wheel; just pull the emergency pin;
The go round each wheel and touch the wheel; you should feel and hear a
humming sound.