New trailer brakes

[maroua]

New trailer brakes. How hot and how much burning off of paint are consider normal?

[Bull_Rider]

This is why I carry and use a Infrared thermometer. At every stop I shoot the hub temps, and I shoot the brake drum temps on each wheel of the RV. I will provide invaluable data regarding bearings and temps.

I even took off the decorative "cones" that cover the hubs to allow a better read on hub temps.

[maroua]

Much better today. Thanks all

[westend]

maroua wrote:
I did, and that seemed to ease things. At first, it acted as if it was harder to pull, but when I down clicked the controller, it did not feel as if the trailer held me back when pulling at all. My best guess is that the controller was set too high initially?

Controller could have been set too high. The shoes and drums will have a certain run in time, too. I would suggest to check the hubs and bearings after a short break in time. I've read posts on here about loose bearings on new trailers. It's an easy thing to check if you can get under the rig with a jack and as long as you have a wheel up, adjusting the brakes is just another five minutes/wheel.

[maroua]

I did, and that seemed to ease things. At first, it acted as if it was harder to pull, but when I down clicked the controller, it did not feel as if the trailer held me back when pulling at all. My best guess is that the controller was set too high initially?

[westend]

Well, one good thing is that you know the shoes are making contact with the drum. If they get too hot, maybe back off on the controller.

[maroua]

Breakaway switch is intact.
Smell got better by the end of our short trip from dealership.
All cooled down overnight. Shirt trip to campground today. Will see if it reproduces.

[mbopp]

There should be no burning paint smell. You don't have the break-away plunger pulled, do you?