Trailer Brake Question

DScott · Jun 27, 2013

I have a gooseneck trailer with 2 7k axles and a 20+5 deck that I pull with a 3/4 HD truck. The brakes work but don't seem to be 100%. These will not and they seem to be working at about 50% and I really feel like I am being pushed when I have a 5-8k load when brakeing. I have checked shoe adjustment, ground, tried different controllers and even hooked to a different truck with the same results. I am getting 12 volts at the axle when the brakes are on. Lights and everything else work great.
So, Should an empty gooseneck trailer be able to lock the brakes when going down the road at 10-15 mph? That's one way I test brakes but maybe I expect too much.

rustyfarmall · Jun 27, 2013

Yes, you should be able to lock up the wheels on an empty trailer. Is the controller you have adjustable? Maybe you need to adjust it up for more braking force.

FC Andy · Jun 27, 2013

I have the exact same situation going on, same size trailer and all. I stopped chasing the problem, and just used the trailer. Mine sat for a few years before I bought it, and after using it a few times, son of a gun, they work acceptably. Mine will lock while empty on gravel, but not on pavement. They didn't even work that well when I bought it, or on the first few short hauls around the neighborhood. I can, however, feel the pull of the trailer braking while empty. I'd say I have 75% brake function on my trailer.

So, Has yours sat a while? Maybe it just needs the rust polished up on the inside of the drums and the glaze knocked off of the drums and shoes. Just Sharing my experience. -Andy

DScott · Jun 27, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:30:36 06/27/13) I have the exact same situation going on, same size trailer and all. I stopped chasing the problem, and just used the trailer. Mine sat for a few years before I bought it, and after using it a few times, son of a gun, they work acceptably. Mine will lock while empty on gravel, but not on pavement. They didn't even work that well when I bought it, or on the first few short hauls around the neighborhood. I can, however, feel the pull of the trailer braking while empty. I'd say I have 75% brake function on my trailer.

So, Has yours sat a while? Maybe it just needs the rust polished up on the inside of the drums and the glaze knocked off of the drums and shoes. Just Sharing my experience. -Andy

Thanks for relying. No, while I don't put many miles on mine it rarely sits for over two/three weeks without being used at least for a short distance. I have pulled the wheels a couple of times looking for issues and the brakes look like new (They are only 2 years old) and are properly adjusted.

jon f mn · Jun 27, 2013

Yes they should lock the brakes, even with a moderate load. I would suspect out of adjustment since you say there is 12v at the wheel. Did you check volage between the wires or just frame to hot? Trailer brakes need to be adjusted tighter than most people think. Adjust them up til they drag a bit then back off JUST till they turn free. You should still hear a bit of rubbing. To check the magnets jack up each wheel and spin the wheel and have someone hit the controller, they should grab and stop right away. Another thing to check is wireing. If they are grounded to the frame rather than a wire to the front you may want to redo them. I usually just buy an electrical cord and cut the ends and use that for the brakes. Run it right from the plug to the axles.

T in NE · Jun 27, 2013

Once knew a guy who claimed with electric over hydraulic disks on his gooseneck he could lock them up with a Magnum on the deck.

DScott · Jun 28, 2013

(quoted from post at 19:55:32 06/27/13) Yes they should lock the brakes, even with a moderate load. I would suspect out of adjustment since you say there is 12v at the wheel. Did you check volage between the wires or just frame to hot? Trailer brakes need to be adjusted tighter than most people think. Adjust them up til they drag a bit then back off JUST till they turn free. You should still hear a bit of rubbing. To check the magnets jack up each wheel and spin the wheel and have someone hit the controller, they should grab and stop right away. Another thing to check is wireing. If they are grounded to the frame rather than a wire to the front you may want to redo them. I usually just buy an electrical cord and cut the ends and use that for the brakes. Run it right from the plug to the axles.

Thanks for the reply Jon. I have the brakes wired with a ground all the way to the truck and I have checked that they were clean and solid. I know that grounding through the frame is an invitation to problems. I suspected the adjustment and I have had two different local trailer guys check them in the last few months. Both said they were good. These brakes have never been what I thought they should be since I had new brakes (all Dexter parts) put on a couple of years ago so now I wonder if they installed the wrong magnets. At first I thought that maybe they just needed a few miles on them to get everything seated but it never got better. If they used the lighter weight magnets I could see it having this type of symptom. What do you think?

jon f mn · Jun 28, 2013

What color are the wires? White is light duty, black
for heavy duty. You might try it in reverse, they
may have put them on the wrong side. The wires
should come out behind the axle rather than in
front.

DScott · Jun 28, 2013

(quoted from post at 08:41:23 06/28/13) What color are the wires? White is light duty, black
for heavy duty. You might try it in reverse, they
may have put them on the wrong side. The wires
should come out behind the axle rather than in
front.

I don't know but I will check and see. Thanks.

Mike M · Jun 28, 2013

I had a tandem dual trailer they have bigger brakes but they never really seemed that good. Never seemed to be able to lock them with even a little load. I think maybe they would empty ? I always tested them in the gravel drive before heading out and they would slide the tires there.

DScott · Jun 28, 2013

(quoted from post at 12:42:04 06/28/13) I had a tandem dual trailer they have bigger brakes but they never really seemed that good. Never seemed to be able to lock them with even a little load. I think maybe they would empty ? I always tested them in the gravel drive before heading out and they would slide the tires there.

Yea, I can lock these up on an empty trailer in the gravel with no problem. But, going down a paved road with a load on there I need plenty notice to safely stop and it feels like the truck is doing most of the stopping.

VicS · Jun 28, 2013

I suspect your adjustment and a little rust on the
drums. I have a trailer the same size as yours. I
don't think the brakes will lock the wheels with 5
to 10 thousand pounds on it. But with my Ford and
factory controller, you can't set them all the way
tight. Even set about 3/4 they come on first and
seem to be stoping the load instead of the truck. My
horse trailer on the other hand seems to be like
yours. I have put every thing new in it and the
brakes are just adequate, barely.

Trailer Brake Question

DScott

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rustyfarmall

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FC Andy

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DScott

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jon f mn

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T in NE

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DScott

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jon f mn

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DScott

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Mike M

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DScott

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VicS

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