Should TT Brakes Lock Up

dodge guy wrote:

JBarca wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
When the system is 100% functional and in good repair you should be able to lock them up which is 100% braking force.
On my current trailer I spent almost 2 years figuring out why I wasn't getting full braking from the trailer brakes. After cleaning adjusting, checking connections, voltage and amp draw as well as resistance checks everything was showing OK. As a last resort I changed out all my brake magnets and after 20 miles of burnishing them in the trailer finally was able to lock up the brakes manually.

After I fixed it the heavier trailer stopped faster than my lighter one did. And it still brakes very well to this day.

Hi Dodge Guy,

When you changed your brake coils, do you recall the wire color on the original and then the new ones you replaced them with?

Dexter 12 x 2 brakes can accept 2 different brake coils that have 2 different brake strengths. They have one for the 7,000# axle set and one for the 6,000 lb. The strength is different.

Your camper is heavy enough to be like mine and the OP'ers. I'm trying to figure out what you created to get a 10,000 # range trailer on 12 x 2 brakes to lock at high speed. What speed can it do this at?

Thanks

John

I don't remember the brake size offhand, but I do believe they are the 12X2. I'll know when I go through the bearings before our Yellowstone trip. The replacements I ordered were from dexter and about 30% larger than what I replaced. The wires are just black, there is no positive or negative. Just hook up the wires and you are done. This year may be the year I have to replace the brakes. When I last did them (2yeara ago) they were getting low. Not sure if I'll just do shoes or the entire backing plate assembly.

If I set it high enough from what I remember they can lock up over 40. But that was years ago when I did the magnets. I do know the braking ability was so good I had to back my setting down from the original 13 I had it set at to 10.

Hi Dodge Guy,

Thanks for the info. I think I may know how you did this.

It just happens that there is a 5,200#/6,000# 12" x 2" brake set. This uses "white" wire brake coils. Dexter PN 042-099-01

See here for a pic Dexter part break down on 5,200/6,000# brake

And there is a 7,000# axle brake 12" x 2" brake set. This used "black" wire brake coils. Dexter PN 042-101-01

See here for pic
Dexter part beak down on 7,000# brake

And for the official work, here is the Dexter site. Dexter I cannot recall exactly. I think 2009 ish time frame, do not quote me on the date, but they changed their coils. They are bigger in some cases but still fit in the older brakes. http://www.dexteraxle.com/products/brakes-brake-accessories/brake-components/magnets

Here you can see the new coils, larger looking.

The white wire, 5,200/6,000# brake coil, PN 042-144-00 (new number)

The black wire, 7,000# brake coil, PN 042-143-00 (new number)

If you had black wires that you recall, then that seems to point to the stronger 7,000# coils. This could be why once you changed brake coils, you had stronger stopping power.

If you are at the point of new brake shoes, I would recommend you change out the entire brake plate. You get everything new, lever, bushing, coils and shoes. Oh and the ass'y is often cheaper then the shoes by themselves.

I use Eastern Marine often on brake parts. See here http://www.easternmarine.com/Electric-Trailer-Brake-Assemblies/

Hope this helps explain this. Curious when you take it apart you can confirm all this.

John

PS. I suspect your camper has the 5,200 or 6,000# axle set. I have not seen a 14,000# TT in a while using the 7,000# axles.