So,Last year I picked up a 2006 Pilgrim Travel Trailer. I am using a Prodigy P3 brake controller and while setting it up I came across an issue. I have the voltage cranked up pretty high, but even when I manually engage the lever to lock the brakes up I can not get them to lock up. It will slow the trailer but will not stop.Based on the year of the trailer I am thinking it's due for a brake job, but have never worked on a trailer. It is my understanding these are drum brakes and not the typical pad / rotor setup on trucks. Would you guys do a brake job yourself, or take it into a shop? If doing yourself any recommendations for parts to use?

I would start by adjusting them. They have adjusters just like the old drum brakes on a car. Adjust them up the same way.B.O.

YouTube is your friend. That's my How-To go to.

It's likely they either need adjusting or grease has gotten on the shoes past the seal.

Would you guys do a brake job yourself, or take it into a shop? If doing yourself any recommendations for parts to use? I would/can do it myself because I was doing brake jobs when drum brakes were standard equipment (many years ago).It's not a difficult job and the whole brake assembly with backer plate is still fairly inexpensive. E-trailer.com stocks nearly all brake parts.Good luck and, BTW, you may get by with just an adjustment. Trailers don't accumulate mileage like a car so replacement of parts may not be necessary.

I would:1 - remove each of the brake drums and inspect the linings; make sure they are not contaminated and still have some meat left on them2 - clean the whole assembly with brake cleaner - get them spotless3 - replace drums and adjust the linings - this can be a pain/tricky This should solve your problem;

Trailer Brakes | Good Sam Community

fitznj
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
To make sure that all my brakes are working, I find a gravel road or a field
and drive up to 15 mph. Then use the slider on the brake controller; All 4 trailer wheels should lock up. If one does not, I check to make sure it is receiving current by using a magnetic compass.

If it still does not lock up, i then adjust the drums.
This usually restores the brakes to full operation. This past Fall, I replaced all 4 drums/brakes with new ones - the old ones had been on the trailer for 9? years.
atreis
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
My old trailer would lock the tires with the lever pretty easily on dry pavement. My new trailer won't. Both stop just fine, and with about the same feel. The difference? The old trailer had a tandem axle - it had half as much weight on each tire in comparison with the new trailer. I'd guess that difference made it much easier to lock the brakes.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2016
only ever take one side completly apart at a time, that way you got some thing to look at if you get confused.
Kalabin
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
Thanks all, I will start plumbing up on drum brakes and play with it once it warms up. I think I have plenty of time ;)
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 24, 2016
2006 trailer.......

Get a magnetic compass
Hold compass close to wheel
Have someone operate trailer brakes via manual lever
Watch compass needle.....should deflect towards wheel when brake magnetic gets energized

Compass deflects at all wheel positions.......brake magnets are at least getting voltage
Next thing is to do a manual adjustment on brakes

Any that don't or not as strong of a deflection.......that wheel position has wiring issues
Most likely at wire connections going into brake drum or wires going thru axle tube
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2016
Alright,

That seems about the same as what my truck is doing. If I set the gain too high then when braking while backing the trailer the brakes are very grabby. Maybe I am used to the brake controller built into my old 2008 Ford Super Duty

My P3 is not a set it and forget it controller. I use boost settings to adjust for around town driving and highway towing. Brakes can get real grabby with the boost too high in town especially if the brakes have been used a lot and are warm/hot.
Kalabin
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
jmtandem wrote:

My trailer will not slide the wheels with a P3 at 25 mph with only the manual lever and it is set just right for all the rest of the driving I do.

Alright,

That seems about the same as what my truck is doing. If I set the gain too high then when braking while backing the trailer the brakes are very grabby. Maybe I am used to the brake controller built into my old 2008 Ford Super Duty
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2016
Last year I picked up a 2006 Pilgrim Travel Trailer. I am using a Prodigy P3 brake controller and while setting it up I came across an issue. I have the voltage cranked up pretty high, but even when I manually engage the lever to lock the brakes up I can not get them to lock up. It will slow the trailer but will not stop.

Based on the year of the trailer I am thinking it's due for a brake job, but have never worked on a trailer. It is my understanding these are drum brakes and not the typical pad / rotor setup on trucks. Would you guys do a brake job yourself, or take it into a shop? If doing yourself any recommendations for parts to use?

Start with the boost values on the controller. Then get up to about 25-30 mph and use the manual stop lever. If it does not slow you down then get into the brakes. My trailer will not slide the wheels with a P3 at 25 mph with only the manual lever and it is set just right for all the rest of the driving I do.
Kalabin
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
Terryallan wrote:
Thing is. Not all Trailer brakes will lock up on pavement with the manual handle. Mine won't, and neither did the TT I had before this one. But the brakes do work. How do I know. Because I have heard the TT tires squalling just before lock up in an emergency braking event. and the TT is not pushing the TV in normal stops.

So I don't worry that they won't lock with the lever. I have them adjusted so that they stop the TT in one with the TV. IF I raise the gain. They jerk at lower speeds. I like it best when I can't feel them. But they still stop the TT.

Well my test was pulling the trailer at 10mph letting off the gas and then pressing the manual lever. It wouldn't slot my combo to a stop. I did notice the jerking around at lower speeds as well. I'll take a look at em this spring once the ice melts.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2016
Thing is. Not all Trailer brakes will lock up on pavement with the manual handle. Mine won't, and neither did the TT I had before this one. But the brakes do work. How do I know. Because I have heard the TT tires squalling just before lock up in an emergency braking event. and the TT is not pushing the TV in normal stops.

So I don't worry that they won't lock with the lever. I have them adjusted so that they stop the TT in one with the TV. IF I raise the gain. They jerk at lower speeds. I like it best when I can't feel them. But they still stop the TT.

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