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 sort of slide a tire but not 100% lock up. I put all new magnets, shoes, backing plates etc in it a couple years ago. Still won't lock up. The trailer weighs 8500 empty which is not all that heavy, or is it heavier than the normal trailer? Maybe I should have questioned it when it was under warranty but it too late for that now. With max voltage going back to the brakes, will your lock up the tires? I'm curious if some do and some don't.

Get out on the hwy and do an emergency stop. I think you will find the brakes are working just fine. All of my trailers have been heavier than yours and I could not lock up the brakes on any of them.You do not want the brakes to lock up if you are trying to stop in a hurry.

Yes, my TT brakes lock up. 8500 pounds is a heavy trailer if your brakes are defective. You tried. Have a professional repair the TT brakes.

I never could lock up my breaks nor do i want to. They say to lock them up then dial down the gain so they dont lock up. Breaks are made to slow the trailor down some so the TV dosen't do all the work. If they engage and slow the camper , not the TV , they are most likely fine. 8500 empty is plenty heavy bud. They are countermuserate to the xamler. Smaller campers have smaller breaks.

Thanks for your relys. I understand you don't want the brakes to lock up under normal or emergency conditions. I would prefer that they would lock up them have to dial down the voltage going to them. Since I can have max voltage to them without them locking up, it almost seems as though they are under sized for my trailer.

You do need to adjust those BRAKES unless you have disk brakes and most RV's do not. I'm about to do it on our RV and just ordered a $5 brake spoon tool on Amazon to make it easier. You can do it with a flat head screw driver tho. Here is a youtube video that I found interesting:Adjusting RV drum brakes

question about trailer brakes. | Good Sam Community

tewitt1949
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
Thanks for your relys. I understand you don't want the brakes to lock up under normal or emergency conditions. I would prefer that they would lock up them have to dial down the voltage going to them. Since I can have max voltage to them without them locking up, it almost seems as though they are under sized for my trailer.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Sep 05, 2020
I never could lock up my breaks nor do i want to. They say to lock them up then dial down the gain so they dont lock up. Breaks are made to slow the trailor down some so the TV dosen't do all the work. If they engage and slow the camper , not the TV , they are most likely fine. 8500 empty is plenty heavy bud. They are countermuserate to the xamler. Smaller campers have smaller breaks.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2020
Yes, my TT brakes lock up. 8500 pounds is a heavy trailer if your brakes are defective.

You tried. Have a professional repair the TT brakes.
12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
Sep 05, 2020
Get out on the hwy and do an emergency stop. I think you will find the brakes are working just fine.

All of my trailers have been heavier than yours and I could not lock up the brakes on any of them.

You do not want the brakes to lock up if you are trying to stop in a hurry.

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