How To Diagnose Electric Trailer Brakes
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.พ. 2024
- If you haul a trailer, then it’s most likely that it’s equipped with electric trailer brakes. It’s not uncommon for the brakes to have an issue that will need to be addressed. It can get confusing when trying to diagnose the problem with your brakes. Is it electrical/wiring? Or is it something more mechanical? The TrailerSmith shows you things to consider in order to properly identify the issue.
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Other TrailerSmith videos referenced in this video
How To Adjust Trailer Brakes • How To Adjust Trailer ...
How To Install New Trailer Brakes and Drums • How To Install New Tra...
The 4 Best Brake Controllers • THE 4 BEST BRAKE CONTR...
How To Burnish Trailer Brakes • How To Burnish Your Tr...
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Links to products used in this video:
Lisle Test Light amzn.to/3UGxmXK
7K Electric Trailer Brake Pair amzn.to/49Az6pA
7K Electric Brake Magnet Set amzn.to/3ULTznf
7K Electric Brake Drum 8 on 6.5 pattern amzn.to/49lS2IZ
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with content.
Links to other videos:
How To Properly Load A Trailer / usbw91emi6
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RV Care Tips: Replacing The Wiper Seals • RV Care Tips: Replacin...
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Don’t Do This On Oil Bath Axles • Don't Do This On Oil B...
How To Replace Hydraulic Disc Brakes • How To Replace Hydraul...
How To Burnish Your Trailer Brakes • How To Burnish Your Tr...
How To Adjust Trailer Brakes The Easy Way • How To Adjust Trailer ...
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Another fully comprehensive guide as to how to complete your job
Thanks for watching!
Another great video to explain brake assembly workings.
As always, thanks for watching and the feedback!
The BEST and most detailed video I've found. Most thing's I've seen only talk about the brake assembly and don't show how the magnet contact impacts the hub. And most just talk about swapping the brake assembly and using the existing hub without discussing the impacts. A while ago I was told I needed to increase my gain......and now I know why by magnets has worn out, my drum has grooves, but the brake pads still have plenty of life. Thanks!!!
Excellent explanation of how electric brakes work , especially for a learner , thank you 👍
Excellent video ! No nonsense and well explained
Sure appreciate that feedback! Thanks for watching!
Excellent video. You could not explain it better. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Amazing! To the point and Extremely educational. Thanks for what you do!!!
We really appreciate that feedback! Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Absolutely amazing video!! I feel i know everything about everything now. Thank you for the time you put into this.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!
Fantastic, This video was an excellent explanation on how trailer brakes should work, the problems you can have and solutions.
Thank you for watching! The feedback is much appreciated!
Thanks for another helpful video.
These are some of the best videos on youtube!
Great content and exceptionally well presented! Nice work!
Thanks for the video and info
Thx for this series on trailer breaks. I am going to tackle new springs, shackles, equalizer and if necessary change breaks and new bearings. B
Sounds like a great plan! Thanks for watching and for the feedback!
EXCELLENT informative vid...thanks!!
Thank you for watching! We sure appreciate the feedback.
Very nice trailer brake video! Well explained.
Thanks for watching! Hope it helps!
Thank you for helping me understand what the magnet is used for.
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
Very nice explanation on electric trailer brake video! Well explained,
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Incredibly informative a very complete video thank you so much brother!
Appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching!
Hey mate, thanks a bunch for this great detailed vid. lots of good info to take away. Keep up your excellent work yeah! Cheers!!
Thanks for watching and the great feedback. Much appreciated!
You Did A Great Job All Around!!
Thanks for that feedback! It’s much appreciated. Thanks for watching!
Great video, and very informative! Thank you! Im about to start some work on a Parker car trailer. The wiring needs to be replaced, and I will check the brakes while Im doing it. Also repack the bearings etc. I also watched your burnishing video, never knew that. Thank you!
We appreciate you watching the channel! Glad to hear the videos are a help!
Very helpful. Thanks.
We appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching!
Top notch video cheers man keep up the good work it helped me out !
Thank you for watching! The feedback is much appreciated.
Thank for your inf. You are a good teacher,you talk Clare ,you use didactic material
I appreciate the feedback! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your videos! I've been learning the ins and outs of rv trailer brakes with your help. If you think that drum is bad from heavy magnet use and poorly adjusted shoes, you should see my record player grooved drums I've discovered. They look like the rings of Saturn!
So glad the videos are helpful! Sounds like you have a job on your hands! Thanks for watching!
Appreciate the video. I bought a pop-up camper yesterday and the brakes have never worked. I want to replace them, but I have no idea which ones to get. Seems like a lot of trailers use 10" but I'm not sure
Great video
Thanks for watching!
Great video good information
Thank you for watching!
I have a open race car trailer. Put new backing plates with brake assemblies and new drums last spring. Hauled it less than 1000 miles last spring/summer/ and fall. Parked it in October and didnt use it until December 23rd. No snow. Took it to drop a car off and on the way back empty a wheel would lock up when braking. Turned the controller way down figuring it was up too high for the empty trailer. Parked it again until February 21. Loaded with another car going to the same place drop off and pick up the other car. About an hour and a half drive with stops along the way. No issues on the way up. On the way home about 20 minutes into the drive we went to stop and the right rear tire ( tandem axle) locked up when I applied brakes. This puzzled me. So i turned the controller down again. No issues the rest of the way home. Parked it and jacked it up with no issues found. Sat again until march 29. Made the trip again but when we turned a cormer the wheel was squeaking. Got to our destination and the hin was hot. Jacked it up there. The hub was a little loose but not bad. Pumped grease into the bearing buddy and loaded the car and headed home. The wheel again started grabbing when brakes applied so i turned the controller down to 1.5-2.0 same as before. Got home and the wheel was hot enough to sizzle the grease out. The next day I took the hub off and found the inner bearing stuck to the spindle. Cut it off cleaned up the spindle. Installed new bearing and race packed well. Readjusted all the brakes. Everything felt great. Loaded the car to go to practice 30 miles away. Everything felt like it did last year. Controller was at 4.5-5.0. At about 25 miles it started to grab again. Got to the track and parked in the pits and the grease was bubbling again. Before heading home i xhecked the hub again. Not loose or brake drag. So just to try something I baked the brakes off on that wheel a xouple more clicks. Loaded xar and headed home. 5 miles in going through town it gets grabby again. Drove the rest of the way home not using much brakes. When I got home the hub was extremely hot. Loke got enough you could feel the heat with in a about 2 inches of it. Took it all apart again. Bearings are good. Brakes look good. Magnet looks good from what i can see. Reassembled and reajusted brakes. Took trailer 11 moles empty and the brake grab when applied on that wheel with 2.0 on the controller. Same wheel right rear through all of this. Any suggestions on what it could be?
Thanks for helping me understand how they work. I just got a brand new car, and dealer fitted wiring harness. On my first trip it didn’t drive very well, then when I got myself to the campsite, the drums and rims were boiling hot on the caravan. My old car never had a problem. I’m not sure yet if there is a wiring issue from the dealer, and I can’t find a simple video to confirm correct wiring, or weather there is a magnet issue, but now I have some diagnostic tools. Thanks again.
Hope this video has helped you out! Best of luck and thanks for watching!
Awesome
Thanks for a very informative video.
I have just bought a trailer with electric brakes and as a "old dude" I am learning all about them.
Can the back of the drum be machined where the magnets run?
Should they be skimmed to true them up if new magnets are fitted as a routine matter?
What sort of thickness limits would apply?
Thanks again for your video.
I have been watching your videos and learned alot! I have a medium size utility trailer that had a tire lock up, so I disconnected the break controler. That tire still locked up while moving forward, but rolled fine in reverse. If I jack that tire up, I can spin it in either direction without any issues. What could be causeing this issue? Thanks in advance for your help!!!
Really appreciated for your knowledge ive learn alot already press the sub button just to say thank you
Awesome! Thank you! We really appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much for this great information. I am curious, are you able to "face" the inside of the drums if they are not marred too much? Just trying to save a few bucks if this is possible.
Great video! When I pull the drum off (3500k) axle, the drum is hard to pull off, almost like it is locked down or magnetized. Trailer is not connected to the truck. Would this be a worn drum/magnet or bad magnet? Other axles doesn't do that.
I'm told that the blue wire powering the electric brakes on trailer is only 'hot' at the 7-pin on truck if the truck is moving because of proportional braking on modern trucks. If so, how do I check this connection? My tbc works if squeezed and the break away emergency works, just not with truck brake pedal while running down the road. Ideas for me to check? I have new drums and magnets, checked fuses, and checked for rusty wires at junction box where wires from harness enter the trailer. Thanks for you videos, well presented.
I’m having an issue with the trailer break away, it’s a duel axle trailer and all of them work except the right rear. Now recently the bearings went on it and I had to replace the drum do to the seal getting shredded from the bearings. I’m getting positive volts on both connectors going to the magnet, just not sure if it’s at that hub or the connectors on the left rear?
I saw a full time trailer guy say applying the brakes in reverse helps the self adjusting ones keep up with adjustments. Any thoughts
If the 4 holes on the face of the magnet are gone, is it warn out?
Will one faulty magnetic show “not connected “ on the brake controller?
2 Questions:
1. How much braking power should there be to a trailer wheel when it's jacked up off the ground?
2. How do you know if your magnet has worn out the shoe and made a groove like you demonstrated around 18:50?
I bought a used trailer from a private party recently. I jacked up the tires, had someone spin the tire, and then I applied the truck brakes and compared them to the manual brake controller.
The truck brakes only slightly slowed down the wheels. The manual brakes stopped it completely.
It's clearly due for a brake adjustment which I will now do thanks to your videos. I will also get the lisle voltage tester and see what that reads.
But after I do that, how much braking power should be on the tires?
And how do I know when to go in and replace the magnet/shoe?
Had one hub get hot on trip . Gain was at 4 . Took gain totally off . Hub temp was normal. Set gain at 2 . Hub got hot again . Brake was not adjusted out enough. Adjusted . Magnet read 2.0 on ohm meter on 10” brake . Not within specs. Getting new magnet . Hope new magnet works .
I just replaced the brake assembly on one side on one axle and now the truck isn't recognizing the trailer is connected and i have no electric brakes on the trailer. Any idea what i may have done wrong? I disconnected the battery while working on it and reconnected the wires as they were previously.
If I may add, check your wiring thoroughly and especially the part that goes THRU the axle tube. While you may think this is a protected area for the wire, it is not. I have solved many brake issues on all types of trailers by replacing the wire running thru the axle tube. The wire literally has the insulation rubbed off and you either end up blowing fuses or have brake that will not work.
One of the brakes locked up and was smoking like mad on a vintage trailer I bought about 10 minutes out of the town I bought it in. I could hardly tell it stuck on, just thought "hmmm I swear it was getting better fuel economy a few minutes ago!" I pulled it all apart on the side of the highway and just dumped all the parts in a pale and drove the rest of the way home. Not sure why they stuck on, since I don't have a brake controller nor was there a battery on the trailer. I was sitting there wondering how the hell brakes can work with nothing but 2 wires going to them. Now I know what that weird shredded thing was (The magnet). Thanks for the info!
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
What's an alternative reasonably priced e brakes magnet to dexter? I have a 10k tandem trailer and requires 4 magnets and dexter is too expensive for a farmer. Your assistance is appreciated.
Hi! I agree I put some links in the description of this video. One of those links is for magnets, I believe its for 7k, but you can search from there for the same brand in 10K, I believe. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching.
We have a travel Trailer that when braking it feels like it almost locking up, its definitely braking more then the truck. where should we start looking? tyia
Can one magnet stop all the brakes?
Great video, thanks. I have a new tandem axle caravan and it has a hot wheel /hubs issue. The tyres are wearing evenly, the bearings are ok and the hubs/ brakes/ magnets were replaced under warranty but I still have very hot hubs/ wheels after travelling 20km. Too hot to hold my hand on the hubs. It is not always the same wheel/ wheels that are hot. The last test I did with the ESC disconnected, one wheel was hot and three were very hot. Do you have any thoughts what could be causing the over heating? Thanks
It sounds like it could be a couple of possibilities
1. Most likely-excessive brake drag (over adjusted)
2. It could have a short in the wiring, allowing voltage to be back fed into the brake wiring.
Good luck & hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
@@TheTrailerSmith Many thanks for your thoughts
I have checked the continuity of my brake wires. From the front plug to the brake magnet. Everything checks out until I get to the magnet the both wires check continuity for both live wires in stead of separate for each wire. Please reply
I just installed new 5k axles on my travel trailer. These new brakes don't t make any humming noise like my old ones did, but they do stop the wheels when spinning while jacked up off the ground. ( I haven't pulled it with my truck yet) Do Brand new trailer brakes make a humming noise? or not necessarily?
Not necessarily. A lot of times the humming comes with some use and normal wear. The humming is a vibration caused by frequency after usage.
Can the brake hub surface be machined where the magnet rides?
Not normally. Most of the time it’s too far gone and it’s getting pretty tough to find someone with the equipment to do it. If you do happen to have someone that can do it, just really take a look at it to make sure it’s not too far along. Great question! Thanks for watching!
Does all trailer wheels have brakes?
I’m driving across country next month, is it worth just spending the 400 bucks for a whole new set of backing plates, drums and shoes ? Just to be on the safe side ?
I wouldn’t spend the money unless it’s needed. Not knowing the condition of everything it’s hard to say. But if it would bring you peace of mind to do so, I’d say go for it.
What if the brakes have 12 volts to the brake assembly and are adjusted correctly and are working . But but are bearly stopping the trailer. The magnets are working my wrench stuck to them. Would you recommend replacing the magnets? Or the whole brake and drum? 8 lug 12x2 brakes 7k axels
Having the same issue. Hopefully he responds
What is the condition of the drum and the brake shoe surface? Are they glazed over? If they are glazed, the brakes will not stop the trailer and they will need to be replaced. If you have pics of the drums and shoes and want me to take a look at them, I don’t mind doing that. You can email them to adventuresmithco@gmail.com
What is the condition of the drum and the brake shoe surface? Are they glazed over? If they are glazed, the brakes will not stop the trailer and they will need to be replaced. If you have pics of the drums and shoes and want me to take a look at them, I don’t mind doing that. You can email them to adventuresmithco@gmail.com.
When I hit my brakes all the trailer lights light up. I have a 22 f350 and have a constant issue with trailer brakes disconnecting. Truck constantly says trailer disconnected or faulty wiring. Trailer is fairly new.
I have the same exact issue. Did you find a solution?
@BCrane not yet. Tomorrow I'm going to try and see if it's a ground issue. Trailer is too new to be jacked up
@@jt7559 I feel ya. Mine is new too and that dang intermittent disconnect makes no sense. But I don’t see it anything wrong on the truck side at all. Let me know what you find out. I’m putting mine up on jacks next weekend to start the process.
@@BCrane I will. This issue is pi$$ing me off
@BCrane I worked on it some today. Still no luck. Tomorrow I'm digging deeper. I did find one out of the 4 wheels would not engage brake when I did a test pull with the break away cord. So I have the hub pulled off now
Hi I have a tri axles trailer just replaced 6 new magnets when to test brake away system by pulling the emergency plug but only middle and rear axles lockup the front axle spin freely can u pls help me explain why. Thank you
First you would need to confirm with your tow vehicle or something other than the break away system that the front axle is working. It sounds like you may have a wiring issue that may not be associated with your break away system. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Question: What would cause the brake magnet to be engerized with the trailer unhooked from the truck and plugged into 110v? After I disconnected the power and battery the magnet de-engerized.
Sounds like the break away switch is either being activated somehow or shorted out.
@@TheTrailerSmith Sir, you are a genious! That was the problem. The switch was hidden under the LPG tanks and the 'plug' was gone! Take a pat on the back out of petty cash! :-)
Man! I’m glad to hear this helped!
I’ve been having my fifth wheel brakes locking up for a second while driving.
Both dealerships can’t find anything “wrong” with truck or camper.
Somebody told me it could be “temperature vs resistance” and once things get heated up it discharges energy and locks up for a second.
Any help is appreciated.
I finally took it all apart myself and found what I think is the problem.
Magnet wire had been rubbing against the inside of the hub and there was exposed Copper shorting out.
I'm having trouble with my 5.5k lb horse trailer. It just doesn't stop well. Brake assembly was all replaced, drums looked OK, I rewired with 10g wire in parallel, redid grounds and I still only get 11 volts at the brakes with full gains applied. When I disconnect one set of brakes I gain a volt and when I disconnect all 4 I get around 13 volts. So 2 volts loss when connected to the magnets. Does that mean the new magnets are faulty? Or is that normal to lose volts when magnets are energized?
Your voltage drops are normal. Sounds like the brake drums are potentially worn out or the brakes need to be adjusted.
We have a video showing how to do a brake adjustment th-cam.com/video/ClNp8T9cGo4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=msZpYBB7KMlqigZa
And a video on burnishing breaks here
th-cam.com/video/mLp_5ApVjFc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Dg9dcpxg0iwZKOHU
Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Can you resurface drums for electric trailer brakes or is it better to get new drums? Looked at the drums again and the magnet surface seems fine but the brake surface has a bunch of grooved lines running parallel the entire width and surface all the way around. Could I send a picture of the surface to see what you think?
Thanks! I really appreciate all your videos and have been hoping to fix the brakes finally and tow my mules and horses more.
Does someone have to be depressing the brake pedal for the power to be coming to the brakes?
👍👍
Hope the video was helpful! Thank you for watching the channel!
We have a Travel trailer that is jerking the truck when we brake. Where should we start looking? tyia
Turn it down brake box feeding too much voltage to the brakes
I have brand new trailer gain on 10 I van barely feel the brakes working tell me why
Your trailer most likely needs a brake adjustment AND the brakes will need to be burnished in. Because it is a new trailer, that is especially more likely. We've done videos on both of those that I've included links for. Good luck and thanks for watching!
How To Adjust Trailer Brakes the Easy Way th-cam.com/video/ClNp8T9cGo4/w-d-xo.html
How To Burnish Your Trailer Brakes th-cam.com/video/mLp_5ApVjFc/w-d-xo.html
The best test light uses an incandescent light bulb, it draws some current
Good deal! That’s what we use. Only incandescent. Thanks for watching!
Why would it be buzzing loud when i apply the brakes?
Good question! Loud buzzing is not uncommon. Sometimes when applying the brakes, if the magnet arm has some wear on it, it will cause it to hum due to the frequency output of the magnet when energized.
We got the magnet on as soon as we connect the battery on the front of the trailer. With no truck connected. The magnet gets extremely hot and is magnetized. I can hang my pliers on it. As soon as we disconnect the battery the pliers fall.
Are you talking about the break away battery? Or were you testing with an auxiliary battery?
I have 4 multimeters and 2 test 12v lights. :-)
Me, too! If I’m lucky I can find my one test light half the time. 😁
Do electric brakes have wear indicators like automobiles?
No
My braks work most of the time. Then, all of a sudden, they will stop and then start again. My dash will say check wiring.
Many times this is a connection issue between the trailer out & truck plug. It most likely needs cleaned or replaced. Unfortunately, sometimes the issue is at the brake magnet. There will be a failure where the wires enter the magnet and it will cause intermittent braking. Best of luck on it!
Mine too
Mine just says check trailer wiring
Power on your ground suggests your ground circuit is incomplete.
Correct!
My front axle brakes lock up bald spots on my tires
9 out of 10 times that is caused by the trailer being towed too high in the front and not putting enough weight on the axle, causing tire lock up when braking. Hope this helps!
Also, here’s a video that might help you with that. How To Properly Load A Trailer
th-cam.com/video/uSbw91Emi6g/w-d-xo.html
Most unreliable high maintenance system I have ever seen, mechanical European inertia brakes are a lot more reliable, safer and hardly any maintenance. Have both, one enclosed sure trac, goose neck and couple of dump and utility trailers, always something.
Drove trailers daily when I lived in Europe, never had bearing problems(sealed in Europe) or brake issues.