Checking trailer brakes

[Zacvv]

Hello,

So in a few days i should be picking up our old trailer. How can i check the brakes on the trailer? Are they something to check easy i assume they are a drum brake?
Its a dual axle by the way mid 80s

[APRSRVer]

And, after you're satisfied that the shoes and bearings are in good shape, you need to check that all four wheels stop with brake power applied. A quick and dirty way is to pull the breakaway sw, assuming it has good battery voltage, and seeing if the brakes work on all four.

[beemerphile1]

Zacvv wrote:
The trailer has been sitting in a yard for about 2 years
Not sure when it was last packed

Only way to do it is remove each wheel, remove each brake drum, and do a visual inspection of the brakes and bearings.

[RCMAN46]

With a trailer that has been sitting in a yard two years as said check out the bearings and brakes.
The tires will also need to be looked at. After sitting that long with contact with the ground may have problems.

[KMP44]

This month's Trailer Life magazine had a good article on how to inspect the bearings and brakes.

Also, in NY State, most shops don't do it, but they are technically supposed to pull one wheel as part of the annual inspection and the state caps the price at something like $6 for trailer inspections (so auto shops hate doing them). I took ours to the dealer for the inspection and watched the tech pull the wheel. Since he was a full time RV mechanic, it was a cheap way to get a professional opinion on the condition of the brakes and bearings. He said good to go - consider re-packing the bearings next year.

[Ron3rd]

Zacvv wrote:
The trailer has been sitting in a yard for about 2 years
Not sure when it was last packed

With the limited information you have regarding the condition of this rig, you really need to pull the drums IMO and check everything out. You don't know if your brakes are good, shot, or if your bearings are dry and in need of repacking.

It's not a difficult job if you have mechanical experience. Here's a good link that shows the procedure for annual inspection of the brakes, etc on a typical tandem axle trailer:
Annual Brake Inspection

If you do not have the capability to do this type of work, I suggest you pay someone to check everything like the member posted above. Brake and bearing troubles on the road are no fun and ruin many trips.

[Zacvv]

The trailer has been sitting in a yard for about 2 years
Not sure when it was last packed

[RCMAN46]

Need more information.
Has the trailer been in storage? How long and where?
Last time bearings were repacked?

[RVJimofOregon]

I got a 10 year old travel trailer and went to a tire shop and for 40 bucks checked the tires, tire age, wheel bearings and check and adjust brakes. I passed on all accounts. Now I feel better.
RV Jim

[Tachdriver]

You mean a functional check? You hook it up to your TV and get up to walking speed and engage the manual lever, it should slow you down but not lock up.