Forum Discussion

Explorer

May 01, 2014

Trailer brakes not working properly

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?

23 Replies

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
May 01, 2014
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
Explorer
May 01, 2014
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.
BurbMan
Explorer III
May 01, 2014
Could be bad magnets, frozen mechanisms rusty, out of adjustment, etc. have to pull the drums and have a look.