Question on 5th wheel brakes

BB_TX wrote:

Gdetrailer wrote:
.............
Jack one of the tires up and pull your breakaway pin and then try to rotate the tire by hand. When the brakes are correctly adjusted the brakes will grab and stop the wheel from turning within less than one inch of wheel turn. Once brakes have engaged, there is almost no movement either direction until you put the switch pin back in.

I always test my breakaway system each time I hitch, just makes good sense to know your system is working before moving. If not working, then it is time to troubleshoot and repair before moving trailer.

I do the same at the start of each season to make sure each individual brake is working. And my wheels barely turn before locking up.

Measuring current does not prove the brake is actually engaging.

I should note, to be clear, I don't jack up the tires and test that way each time I hook up, that is once a season.

Jacking up the tires one at a time is what I do at the beginning of camping season. My state has a required annual safety inspection, I would rather have things not work at my home so I can fix it before driving a half hr each way to the inspection station.

I do however, pull the breakaway then pull forward slightly to make sure the breakaway is functioning as part of my hookup for each time I tow. This ensures the brakes and breakaway system on the trailer are functioning. Then once ready to leave, I will use the manual control to verify that the entire trailer brake system chain is working before I pull on to the road.