question about trailer brakes.
I have an older 32 ft pull behind trailer which I bought new. When new I could feel the trailer breaks working but I could not get them to lock up and slide the tires. On a gravel road they might so...
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The trailer in question has 12 inch drums. 8500lbs empty, double axle. I think they are 3500 lbs axles and are 8 lug hubs. I'm 71 and have been a mechanic all my life so I have worked on many drum brakes. I realize if you get them adjusted with slight drag they will work better and may lock the tires easier. But over the last 71 years there have been a couple of times I adjusted them too tight and after a few miles they got too hot. (on cars). So I probably tend to leave them a looser than some people.
On my trailer it has drop axles and the drop part of the axle is right in front of the little adjusting slot which leaves maybe 2 inches to get that little brake tool in there. All most impossible. So, if I remember correct when I put the new brakes on, I think I adjust the shoes out as far as I could and still get the drum on. There was no worn area where the shoes rode so I'm guessing they are fairly close to being adjusted close enough.
One thing that will affect lock up is the height of the tire. The trailer came with Goodyear 235/85R16 which is a good size tire. The taller the tire the more force it takes to stop it.
On my trailer it has drop axles and the drop part of the axle is right in front of the little adjusting slot which leaves maybe 2 inches to get that little brake tool in there. All most impossible. So, if I remember correct when I put the new brakes on, I think I adjust the shoes out as far as I could and still get the drum on. There was no worn area where the shoes rode so I'm guessing they are fairly close to being adjusted close enough.
One thing that will affect lock up is the height of the tire. The trailer came with Goodyear 235/85R16 which is a good size tire. The taller the tire the more force it takes to stop it.
