Switching to self adjusting brakes

I replaced my manual adjust brakes to self-adjusting. It is an easy swap out and well worth the effort. I bought my self-adjusting brakes from etrailer who were very helpful when I made my order. I ended up replacing my drums and bearings at the same time since I was lifting the trailer anyway. Self-adjusting brakes have been used on cars and trucks for many years and never heard of them locking up. They just don't over tighten the brakes.

After replacing them drive the camper for 5 or 10 miles where you can repeatedly apply the brakes so they will adjust to the proper tension and you can also reset your brake control in your tow vehicle.

Curious... do these adjust when backing, like the self adjusting drum brakes on cars?

drsteve wrote:
Curious... do these adjust when backing, like the self adjusting drum brakes on cars?

Forward adjusting.

OP, By the time I do all the work I am going disk. Should be far better end result.

I only need to adjust my brakes once a year when I do the annual bearing and brake maintenance. Self-adjusting would be of no value to owners that do the proper wheel bearing and brake service.

The factory run-out tolerance for brake drums is too great and if your drums are near maximum, self-adjusting can cause problems. I don't want them.

As mentioned above, install disc brakes for a real improvement.

I replaced my manual brakes with the self-adjusting last year before our trip to Florida. I am really happy with them. Do my maintenance every other year so this should help in off year. Easy swap,do a manual adjust, then drive a few miles with it.

Thanks for the replies, gonna make the switch! I do the usual springtime bearing lube/brake adjust like most of you, but living here in the metro NY area our Friday night escape is hard on brakes because of the heavy traffic we have to endure. I've found in the past I've had to re-adjust the brakes by mid-summer so they would perform properly. Always having brakes in tip-top shape will give me piece of mind.

Thanks!

Good Luck to ya! One last word...while you have the trailer up inspect your shackles and hangers for wear.

I will offer an alternate view.

We have a 2014 TT that came with 3,500 lb Lippert axles with self adjusting brakes. These attempt to adjust on each forward stop "if needed". We have continuously fought the adjustments because in stop/go traffic, something over 8-10 red lights in a row, they over-adjust. And it is a real PITA to back-off self-adjusting brakes.

Our 4 year old was grossly under-axled from the factory. 2 weeks ago I bit the bullet and had the 3,500 lb lippert axles replaced with 5,400 lb Dexters. I ordered the axles with MANUAL ADJUSTING brakes. Even the trailer shop that did the work didn't like either company's self-adjusters.

I may have to adjust them routinely, but at least I have control over the adjustment now.

Love the disc. No adjusting.Buy the best ceramic pads too, it's your butt you are stopping.