How to set brake controller with self adjusting brakes?

elkhorn98 wrote:
I did adjust them before going for a drive and I guess I have to keep using them to get them broke in. They are now working good but can't get them to lock up. I had someone tell me with self adjusting brakes they won't ever lock up. Is that true?

They won't ALL lock up. IF you are getting good braking when you pull the lever. Good to go.

Only time I could ever get mine to lock was on gravel. BUT when I have an hard stopping event. I can hear the TT tires cry just before lock up.

No, it's not true. I have self adjusting brakes and I can get mine to lock up on my built in Ford controller at a setting of about 6.5. I run it at 5.5 and have good braking.

I did adjust them before going for a drive and I guess I have to keep using them to get them broke in. They are now working good but can't get them to lock up. I had someone tell me with self adjusting brakes they won't ever lock up. Is that true?

When the self adjusting brakes were installed, you should always manually adjust them until they are set correctly. I see from your post you did that after the fact. Even so, they will have a break in period where your brakes will continue to self adjust, and the shoes will start seating with the drums.

As the new brakes continue to break in, you might have to frequently adjust your controller to get maximum braking efficiency. Take your trailer to a lightly travelled road or parking lot. Drive at about 15 mph. Using just the brake controller's hand knob, apply full braking power. You are looking for the wheels to lock up when the controller is fully applied. Keep repeating and adjusting until you get lock up. Once you get the brakes to lock up, back off on the controller setting. You should then be able to stop the trailer with just the hand controller and no lock up. I'd repeat the adjustment any time you notice diminished braking, and at 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles. After 100 miles, your brakes will most likely be seated and fully self adjusted. Of course, it's good practice to check and adjust your control settings on a routine basis any way.

I would set it as you normally do. To just before lock up while pulling the activation lever. Self adjusting brakes should have nothing to do with how the controller activates them