trailer brake questions
Hello all, new to rv'ing and to this forum and have a few questions about my electric brakes. First off, my 1991 5th wheel is a 30' 6500 lb unit (obviously tandem axle). Previous owner had no controll...
Forum Discussion
Our RV Trailers Electric Brakes here in this state are Inspection items for our annual safety inspection.
A clamp-on ammeter like the Sears Craftsman model 82369 model that has both AC/DC 400AMPs is great tool for working on trailer electric brakes. With 12VDC applied each Brake Magnet should draw around 3AMP DC Current if working properly... I can clamp around the single DC wire going into the brake assy and get this measurement real easy... If there is two wires like shown in this photo then one of goes to trailer frame ground somewhere on the outside. You can still measure around either wire to read your 3AMPS DC current. Also the second brake magnet on this axle is fed by wires going through the axle assy. Mine does the same thing here...
google image
ADDED NOTE: Check in with ETRAILER.com on-line and see what they say about wire sizes. They also have a great site and will answer any and all of your questions...
Interesting that someone could get away without working brakes on a trailer that had them installed. Maybe it was never towed over public roads... Perhaps the previous owner State doesn't have a State Inspection program for RV trailers...
I would do whatever is required to get it legal within your State Inspection requirements...
Roy Ken
A clamp-on ammeter like the Sears Craftsman model 82369 model that has both AC/DC 400AMPs is great tool for working on trailer electric brakes. With 12VDC applied each Brake Magnet should draw around 3AMP DC Current if working properly... I can clamp around the single DC wire going into the brake assy and get this measurement real easy... If there is two wires like shown in this photo then one of goes to trailer frame ground somewhere on the outside. You can still measure around either wire to read your 3AMPS DC current. Also the second brake magnet on this axle is fed by wires going through the axle assy. Mine does the same thing here...
google image
ADDED NOTE: Check in with ETRAILER.com on-line and see what they say about wire sizes. They also have a great site and will answer any and all of your questions...
Interesting that someone could get away without working brakes on a trailer that had them installed. Maybe it was never towed over public roads... Perhaps the previous owner State doesn't have a State Inspection program for RV trailers...
I would do whatever is required to get it legal within your State Inspection requirements...
Roy Ken
