Our son just purchased a new single axle tent trailer with brakes. I offered to tow it to a nearby campground the first time because they don't have a brake controller installed yet. I'm unable to get the trailer brakes to hold my truck when manually applying the brakes at the brake controller. I have tried setting my controller to max output. I can hear a hum from the wheel when the brakes are applied manually but I'm not getting enough braking to hold the truck and trailer. I know my brake controller works fine because I towed my 5th wheel recently and the trailer brakes will stop the truck and trailer when manually applied.The dealer was unable to test the brakes when they picked it up because they didn't have a brake controller. Is it possible that the brakes could be far enough out of adjustment from the factory to not work properly?

Could be bad magnets, frozen mechanisms rusty, out of adjustment, etc. have to pull the drums and have a look.

BurbMan wrote:Could be bad magnets, frozen mechanisms rusty, out of adjustment, etc. have to pull the drums and have a look.Thanks. It's a new trailer. They're away for the weekend. I'll have a quick look when they get back. If there's nothing obvious I'll have them take it to the dealer for warranty.

A single axle, might not be anything wrong, I would not expect a single axle trailer to stop and hold a vehicle (two axle yes, but a single..).You should however be able to lock and slide the tires.Try pulling the breakaway pin then pull forward, the brakes should lock and slide the wheels. If they don't then you have an issue with the brakes on the trailer..

grampscamper wrote: I can hear a hum from the wheel when the brakes are applied manually but I'm not getting enough braking to hold the truck and trailer. I don't understand how you can hear a hum from the wheel if you're inside the moving truck...but that aside:The brakes on a tent trailer are not designed to stop your truck. In fact, I doubt that the brakes on ANY trailer are so designed. Trailer brakes are for stopping the trailer only; the manual slide knob is for slowing it independently or ahead of the tow vehicle, usually as a means of straightening the trailer during an instability event.Dunno what brake controller you have in your truck, but they all have instructions for properly adjusting to the specific trailer hooked up to the system. (Every "new or different" trailer will require its specific setting). Just follow those instructions and you're good to go.One way to test for proper brake controller setting is to take the combo out on a flat, straight road, get up to about twenty miles an hour, and deploy manual slide knob. Trailer brakes should more or less "lock up", perhaps even skid a bit.

Francesca said:"One way to test for proper brake controller setting is to take the combo out on a flat, straight road, get up to about twenty miles an hour, and deploy manual slide knob. Trailer brakes should more or less "lock up", perhaps even skid a bit."The above is almost word for word what it said in my brake controller manual.

Trailer brakes not working properly | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

grampscamper
Explorer
May 04, 2014
I had a chance to test the brakes again. They work as many of you have described. They slow down the vehicle but won't lock up at full power.
Thanks again for all responses.
grampscamper
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Thanks everyone. Great information. I made an incorrect assumption about the brakes on this trailer. The brakes would have only been applied a few times when I tried it. I think they're working but not the way I expected. I will allow a break in period then set them up.
This forum has been very helpful again.
Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
May 02, 2014
We have a teardrop trailer with Dexter axles and 7" brakes. Probably in the same weight range as the pop up. They are not strong enough to stop more than the trailer, I feel a slight pulling on the TV, but that is about it.
Unless some one knows of a conversion that will attach better brakes...
Mont_G_J
Explorer
May 02, 2014
Bull Rider wrote:
New trailer brakes need to be used a few time to heat up and work properly. I would get some miles on where you can heat up the brakes a few times, then do some normal driving, and then adjust the brakes shoes to the drums.

We just had new axles put on our RV and the mechanic said to put on some miles and then readjust the brakes.

X2
Dexter, a major manufacture of trailer axles and brakes, on their web site's FAQ states trailer brakes may not lock-up when fully applied, but are designed to safely stop the trailer IAW government standards. Also, new brakes will require a break-in period to fully seat the shoes for increased braking effect.
katysdad
Explorer
May 02, 2014
breakin procedure
j-d
Explorer II
May 02, 2014
New brakes need to be run awhile with several stops to seat in. Then probably adjusted. I think the Dexter site has a writeup on it. But I agree with the others...a small single axle popup with small wheels and small brakes won't hold back an F Series.
Terryallan
Explorer II
May 02, 2014
However. DO NOT pull the E brake out with the pigtail hooked to the truck. Unhook the 7 pin from the truck before you try. You could seriously damage your brake controller.

BTW. the E brake will lock the trailer brakes while sitting still.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 02, 2014
That tent trailer may have the 7" brakes. They don't do very much. Don't expect to feel much braking with just a single axle with 7" brakes. If, however they are 10" brakes, then they should have good braking effect.
Lspangler
Explorer
May 01, 2014
Bull Rider wrote:
New trailer brakes need to be used a few time to heat up and work properly. I would get some miles on where you can heat up the brakes a few times, then do some normal driving, and then adjust the brakes shoes to the drums.

We just had new axles put on our RV and the mechanic said to put on some miles and then readjust the brakes.

Most trailers are delivered several hundred miles from the factory. I'm assuming the delivery drivers use the brakes but I could be wrong.

Linc
Bull_Rider
Explorer
May 01, 2014
New trailer brakes need to be used a few time to heat up and work properly. I would get some miles on where you can heat up the brakes a few times, then do some normal driving, and then adjust the brakes shoes to the drums.

We just had new axles put on our RV and the mechanic said to put on some miles and then readjust the brakes.