Travel Trailer Brakes

I can tell you from experience that TT brakes can be strange. First off they are drum brakes controlled by an electric magnet pendulum that rides against the vertical drum face.

They can loose performance very quickly. Checking the brakes and bearings is something one should learn to do themselves.

I suppose those folks who only tow short trips a few times a year never give it a second thought.

A friend of mine was on his fifth trailer with brakes when he installed the brake fuse.

You just got a trailer, new or used you need to pull the hubs and do a complete service and inspection before putting it in service. My new trailer had one malfunctioning brake despite the idiotic state inspection.

Sad to say, but some folks don't / won't service brakes on a trailer. And some don't even care about trailer braking laws. Hence, the reason why some regions want to apply year Trailer brake inspections. Thus, forcing trailer owners to apply trailer laws (and good braking maintenance habits). Sad to say but true...

When it comes to trailer brakes, I don't think about my regional laws. I think about "safe towing" first. For my Tow Vehicle, it can pull huge amount of weight but it doesn't have specs to "safely" stop an attached trailer. For my TV and Trailer combo, any attached trailer over 2,000 lbs needs brakes (on the trailer) - even though my local law says 3,000 lbs is the limit. With 2,999 lbs attached trailer, my TV is pushed around like a rag doll.

For my previous used TT (19 ft with 2 x axle design), I simple installed inertia brake controller in my TV, replaced trailer's older age brake assemblies, replaced its rusted brake hubs and installed much better STAR design 10 gauge wiring. re: 2 x 10 Gauge wiring to each wheel hub. IMO, this STAR design wiring should be minimum factory specs.

This worked for my previous used trailer. Recommend for your used trailer as well...

Congrats on the new rig!
I've got a lot of respect for Puma, I have friends that use their product and they all seemed well built.

Like Old Biscuit states, a packing of bearings, brake service and adjustment would definitely be on top of the maintenance schedule. It is all a fairly easy DIY job and if your Dad has experience, he can probably lead you through it.

Another task that would be on my maintenance schedule (and it is), is to perform a pressurized interior leak test. It's another easy DIY job that involves pushing air inside the trailer and spraying the outside with a soap solution. The pressure test will discover even any tiny leak spots. You really want to inspect your new rig for any possible leaks. Water is like cancer to our travel trailers.

Good luck with the new trailer!

ajdec77 wrote:
Our truck has the brake controller already, so we should be good...assuming like the other person mentioned, the brakes are in functioning condition.

2008 Model and brakes not used.....they will be rusted up and most likely will not function
Brake magnet face rusted,,,,,,drum face surface rusted
Magnet will not 'stick' to drum face

Axle seals most likely all dried up...could leak grease into brake assembly

How far do you need to travel from sellers place to your place?

You will need to do a complete brake/seals----grease bearings ASAP


Here is SPECS on that 2008 Puma 19FS--------LINK

Our truck has the brake controller already, so we should be good...assuming like the other person mentioned, the brakes are in functioning condition.

ajdec77 wrote:
Thanks all for the feedback! I believe you are all right...that it does have brakes. The current owner said that the brakes don't work unless you have the brake system on your tow vehicle...and they never had one hooked up. But they said that they believe it has an electric braking system.

It is a 2008 Palomino Puma 19fs travel trailer.

It's amazing that the previous owner pulled a 6,000 pound trailer around without brakes.

You need to go and have a brake controller installed at an RV store or truck accessories store before you pick up your new trailer unless you happen to have a new pickup with an integrated brake controller.

Not too expensive and not an option for a prudent driver.

The brakes may be malfunctioning if they have not been used, so be ready for some repairs.

Personally, I'd worry about everything else, too, if the previous owner didn't tow with the brakes on his travel trailer in proper working order.

Thanks all for the feedback! I believe you are all right...that it does have brakes. The current owner said that the brakes don't work unless you have the brake system on your tow vehicle...and they never had one hooked up. But they said that they believe it has an electric braking system.

It is a 2008 Palomino Puma 19fs travel trailer.

I would say, it could have brakes, but the previous owner disconnected them??