Hi,I had some problems with my new 5th wheel brakes when I got it. The brakes were replaced and they now have about 1000 miles on them and have been readjusted so I want to make sure they are working sufficienty.After getting them warmed up I took the rig out and tested the stop time from 20mph to 0 using just the manual trailer brake and not the vehicle brakes. Stopping time was about 7 seconds. I did the same on the road slowing from 60-40 using only the trailer brakes and it was again about 7 seconds. Does this sound about right? Another question on this is that I have found that the brakes work very poorly when first pulling out of my driveway and that they need to get a bit hot in order to function fully. Is this normal as well?thanks for your helpMatt

I don't know of a timed procedure for testing brakes. I always accelerate to about 25 and hit the manual slider without using the vehicle pedal. If I feel resistance and it slows my progress, I feel it's good (per the users manual). My average setting is 6. I do switch settings between my 32' and my 28' due to the weight difference. This has worked for me for 16 years. As far as working poorly when you first pull out, I would ask how long does the coach sit before trips? Could be a thin layer of rust on the surface of the drums that will grind off after repeated stops. Same if you have rotors.

I pull my wheels and check brakes for any grease on the pads each Spring, replace the seals and hand pack bearings. There have been no bad experience with drum brakes for me so far. To test the brakes I just roll along at about 25 and pull the hand actuator. If I feel the brakes come into play I assume everything is ok. When I'm driving on the Interstate or any roads where my speed is constantly beyond about 55 then I use the top setting on my controller. If I'm in heavy traffic I use less setting. After you pull for a while you will get a feel for your brakes. You can tell if they are working like they should. I don't believe a timed duration on stopping tells you much other than you know they are working properly. I like changing my brake controller setting for different conditions. Just my opinion and style I suppose.

Before I pull out of the driveway, I apply the manual brake lever and when the truck doesn't move, I know the system is working. My driveway goes downhill and at idle the truck will move on its own. When in a level spot I apply some fuel peddle to get the truck to move.

I set mine so stopping with the trailer feels very similar to stopping without a trailer when applying the brake pedal. When the brakes are set right and I slide the manual control I feel the trailer brakes pulling very aggressively. The proper setting for my truck/trailer is 5.

Brake Pads and especially brake shoes will need to be broken in per axle makers specs. After the break in period then is the time to test a trailers braking system and make adjustments/changes to suit you. All my service and rv trailers brakes will slide the tires with high brake controller gain after I do my R&R and amp checks on them.......after their broke in properly.

Proper Trailer Brake Function Check??? | Good Sam Community

BarneyS
Explorer III
Jan 20, 2019
Most of the drum brakes on todays trailers require some motion in order to work. If you apply the brakes from the manual lever you would need to pull forward a few feet to find out if they were working.
Don't know about disk brakes however.
Barney
ivbinconned
Explorer II
Jan 20, 2019
2 years ago I went for a driving test to obtain a “G” endorsement allowing me to pull trailers over 10,000 pounds.
The examiner had me test the trailer brakes by applying them with manual lever, then putting the truck in gear. Truck didn’t want to advance...he said that’s good.
rickeoni
Explorer
Jan 20, 2019
the way I was taught to check trailer brakes is.......Get up to about 20 MPH on a gravel surface and manually apply the trailer brakes if they skid, turn it down .5 and try again. If they don't skis turn up a notch until they skid and turn back .5 Been doing this for years and never had an issue.

Most newer trucks with factory brake controllers don't send full voltage to the brakes belos about 15MPH.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2019
Lynnmor wrote:
Dave H M wrote:
My brakes are slow starters after setting for the best part of a year.

Maybe the oil is separating out of the grease and leaking past the seal. Did you see any sign of that when you checked the brake lining wear?

No and it has been like that on the last two fifth wheels.
bowler1
Explorer
Jan 18, 2019
Hi,
thanks for the responses. Good point on the possible oil leak. I guess it would make sense that it would take some time for the oil to burn off...if it does not completely and permanently conatminate the pads.

I have noticed a burning smell like as if my brakes were getting too hot when perhaps they should not have.

When I first left the newly installed brakes (only on one side and I can't rmember which) i had a guy pull up next to me and tell me that my brakes were smoking. I turned down my controller a bit afterwards, but assumed this was because the brakes were still settling in.

Matt
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 17, 2019
Dave H M wrote:
My brakes are slow starters after setting for the best part of a year.

Maybe the oil is separating out of the grease and leaking past the seal. Did you see any sign of that when you checked the brake lining wear?
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Jan 17, 2019
My brakes are slow starters after setting for the best part of a year.
big_bird_2
Explorer
Jan 16, 2019
Good luck.
1320Fastback
Explorer
Jan 16, 2019
I would not expect there to be any guide to the trailer slowing the tow vehicle in a certain amount of time because there are way too many variables.

I set mine so they can lock up manually using the slider and then set them down to a lesser setting depending on if driving in rain or dry conditions. The trailer brakes stop the trailer, the truck brakes stop the truck.
bowler1
Explorer
Jan 16, 2019
Thanks for the help. To answer the question above, no...I cannot lock up the trailer brakes on the highest setting. I currently have my controller (Ram factory brake controller) at 7.5 or 8 I think. My trailer is about 13.5k loaded.

The reason I ask the question here is because I have had problems with my brakes. When I bought my trailer last April (new) the brakes basically did not work at all after pulling a couple hundred miles. Took it back to the dealer and somehow the magnets had gouged the braking surface and the hubs and brakes needed to be replaced.

After replacement they worked. At 1000 miles I had them adjusted at a dealer in conjunction with other work (but I honestly think they FORGOT to adjust them)

A couple hundred miles later the brakes were weak again.

When i got home I adjusted them myself and they needed about 20 clicks of adjustment. I then took it out and ran the test above. For the first few miles they were still weak, but then settled in.

So i am still a little leery of the brakes on my trailer given the past experience, especially if the dealer DID adjust them like they were supposed to.

My trailer is under warranty and i need to bring it in anyway so wanted to be able to effectively communicate if there were a problem.

matt