How to Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes

How to Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes

[@larryandrews430]

Love the short and to the point videos. Thanks dude. In 3 minutes I have become a master at adjusting electric trailer brakes. 👍👊

[@funbro1]

Glad it helped, Thanks for watching.

[@tomfrantz]

Why can't every HOW TO video be this good and concise?// Thank you

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@SKANK_HUNT49]

@@funbro1 I think I love you. You left out all of the big long paragraph of unnecessary BS. You just told us how to do it in Plain Talk. So I know you're not a New Englander where you from

[@AGTMADCAT]

Seriously. This is exactly as long as it needs to be to show the process, and no longer. Perfect.

[@eddiep7444]

Perfectly done video! Didn't need to endure 17 to 25 minutes of someone else's ego trip.
Had this video stored since I found it

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@FunInVa]

SS&2TP! Great video! This adjustment is recommended every 3,000 miles.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@melsman2]

I’m going to agree with these other comments. Clear, concise, to the point with the perfect amount of information. Bravo, bud!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching

[@jeffwinzeler4814]

Perfect! Nicely explained with the right amount of detail. Thank you!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@kevinverkuil3556]

Straight up and to the point. Thank you. Made the task very easy to do.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching

[@edburns5903]

Thank you for making adjustments easy. I kinda knew but just wanted to refresh myself. Thanks again.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@500spyder]

The perfect video for adjusting trailer brakes.

[@matthereth1973]

Thank you! I have adjusted trailer brakes in the past and hated every minute. I never thought about spinning the wheel!😁

[@funbro1]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching.

[@stevefox7912]

Great explanation. Quick and to the point. Good job

[@funbro1]

Awesome, thanks for watching.

[@mikehixson7751]

Great video! Short, sweet and to the point.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@ne8r]

Appreciate the clear and concise video!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@ChaplainKC]

Excellent video! Mine need it really bad. I kind of remembered this procedure from many years ago before cars had disc brakes. Thanks so much for providing me with this information again.

[@funbro1]

It comes right back doesn't it? Thanks for watching.

[@FunInVa]

Agreed, sometimes I have to remind myself that some vehicles are still equipped with drum brakes!

[@danz1910]

thanks bro, I didn't know there was a way to adjust trailer brakes like good old drum brakes. Thanks for the video

[@funbro1]

Glad I could help, thanks for watching.

[@StewieGriffin505]

I can't tell how much time I wasted looking for a video like this. Excellent job. The adjustment procedure is the same as a hydraulic drum brake. Why did it take me 9 videos to find this out?

[@funbro1]

Glad you found this one and happy that it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@donjohnson5653]

Great videos on changing and adjusting. Thanks

[@sonora108]

That was exactly what you need to know when adjusting the brakes but from the number of thumbs downs there are some people who didn't understand. To bad for them because this was as easy as it gets.

[@funbro1]

I don’t understand why there are so many thumbs down but hey not everyone gets it I guess. Thanks for watching.

[@stephenwatkins5269]

So basically it is not different than adjusting old style drum brakes with the star adjuster. I was going to take off the tire and drum but I am glad I watched this first. Thanks, How To Bob.

[@funbro1]

That is correct, Same as the old style brakes. Thanks for watching.

[@Wildbillsgarage]

Short. Sweet. No unwanted "brakes".. lol Thank you.

[@funbro1]

Good one. Thanks for watching.

[@cwclifford]

Thanks for the vid. There is no “clockwise” direction. Prying the spoon down will tighten the brake pads against the brake drums. Prying upward will loosen the pads. The star wheel adjuster should be tightened so that the trailer tire turns freely and a slight scraping sound is heard.

[@funbro1]

Well then which way is tightening????

[@cwclifford]

@@funbro1 down.

[@funbro1]

On which side?

[@randyphillips559]

@@funbro1 On my trailer spin the adjuster down on both sides to tighten the shoes.

[@iancampbell4296]

Thank you, very clear instruction and video quality.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@firewoodkingtulsa7664]

Great video. Excellent work!!

[@frankieminor50]

So glad you take time to show us dummy's this stuff. Work saver.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@nitrojunki4249]

Great job on this video. Very professional with no distracting music or lengthy introductions. What information would you need when ordering these kits?

[@funbro1]

Size of the brakes and bolt hole pattern.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching.

[@nitrojunki4249]

@@funbro1 Yes it certainly would have but after inspecting the brakes turns out I only needed to adjust them and I repacked while I was at it. Easier than I expected but the video was a big help

[@gameoflifetraining]

Good video. Good information, and nice visual aid. We give it an A+ 👍

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@tomfrantz]

Great video. Very well made and good talking.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@joelkrochalk5067]

Thanks Bob. Nice tutorial.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@g_dawwg]

excellent! thank you!

[@RocketGarageService]

I love your editing style. Good video

[@johnwcatterson]

Good video, however just an FYI to get it absolutely correct. Before you back it off, you want to tighten it up good and hard, not just with a little resistance. The reason you tighten it up all the way, is to make certain that the shoes get centered inside the drum. Then back it off until there's no resistance.

[@funbro1]

Worked like a charm doing it like the video, but I like your way also.
Thanks for watching.

[@expressmobileservicesllc.480]

Thank you! 😊

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching

[@davidrussell74]

Thank you for such a clear explanation!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@michaelmote7266]

Great how to video!

[@cindyyeager8627]

Thank you. Helpful beyond words.

[@funbro1]

Awesome, glad to help. Thanks for watching.

[@krstoner53]

I’ve always been told to jack up the trailer by the frame instead of the axle because of possible axle warping Thx for the video

[@funbro1]

As long as you are close to the wheel it will be fine, but it wouldn't hurt to continue using the frame. Thanks for watching.

[@rodrigocampos2226]

Thanks for the video 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@funbro1]

My pleasure!

[@kendavis8138]

Great, I don't have to buy a brake spoon. Great video, thanks.

[@funbro1]

Not necessary but it could help
I guess.
Thanks for watching.

[@mog5858]

great job

[@HitchExpertsCalgary]

thank you!! very well done

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@brianj9262]

Don't these normally adjust when you back up like a car brake does?

[@animeII]

My trailer brakes are from 1977. They are turned down - or counter clockwise. Opposite to this. The possibility does exist.

[@FiveStarLawnCare]

Thank you for making this! Very good video! Appreciate you!

[@funbro1]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@beckystager2657]

That's best one I've seen.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@strokerace5468]

Thank you for the video

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@hyakkimaru6709]

Perfect video. Only question, do all of the adjustments on both sides go up? Or does one side go up and once side go down?

[@funbro1]

They will go the opposite way, you can check by having someone spin the wheel while you are doing the adjustment, it should begin to become more difficult to turn...if not the reverse the direction of adjustment. Hope this help, Thanks for watching.

[@danieljohn5984]

The part you are adjusting to spread the brake shoes is really only to adjust the handbrake travel/slack (if you have a manual handbrake on the trailer draw bar which most do to activate brakes when trailer is un-hitched). With electric brakes when the magnet is energised it will drag/push the shoes out the same regardless of how far in or out the handbrake adjuster is. Thats my understanding anyway.

[@funbro1]

Mine has No hand brake, and with the adjustment you will get a quicker brake response along with full power when applied. Thanks for watching.

[@dave5833]

Thanks great Video.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@dave5833]

@@funbro1 now because of your Great Video I can fix my own. Thanks

[@87TFAT]

After adjusting the breaks, do I need to drive my trailer around the block to make sure they are working correctly?

[@funbro1]

Yes definitely.
Thanks for watching.

[@ohiodigger4391]

So if you turn the adjustment screw one way on one side is it safe to assume you turn it the opposite direction on the other side? I didn’t know you could adjust the trailer brakes. I was about t have them replaced lol. I’m going to try this first.

[@funbro1]

Yes, that is pretty safe to say. You will still want to rotate the wheel as you tighten the brakes to make sure.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for watching

[@svridr2k]

Great video. Thank you so much!

[@funbro1]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@wathmas]

Excellent no BS video , thanks

[@funbro1]

Awesome, thanks for watching.

[@kelleycaptain73]

Thanks Dude!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@gadsdenconsulting7126]

Does lifting upwards on the adjustment wheel always move the shoes outward, regardless of what side of the axel the brake is on that you're adjusting? My rear Dexter axel on the right side looks as though the teeth on the adjusting wheel are angled to adjust downward with my screw driver.

[@funbro1]

One side will be up the other will be down. Hope this helps, thanks for watching.

[@gadsdenconsulting7126]

@@funbro1 thank you, sir!

[@harveyotoole2029]

Great video.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for the visit.

[@MrStrutus]

Thank you

[@funbro1]

You're welcome

[@coutz56]

Is this done to each tire?

[@funbro1]

Yes, if not done to each wheel one would pull harder than the other when breaking. thanks for watching.

[@gusgarcia4249]

Excellent video!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@billwilliam1001]

So if I test my brakes @25mph, they should skid at max gain, correct? Otherwise adjustment is needed. Correct?

[@funbro1]

Yes that should be the case. Thanks for watching.

[@googleuser5195]

I noticed that you pressed down on the screwdriver to tighten..... Would you press down to tighten on the other side also?...

[@funbro1]

It should be the opposite way on the other side. Hope this helps, thanks for watching.

[@hannahbrown3537]

Very good how to video!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@kennethodonnell2068]

Not too much fluff and talk. Do XY&Z and Done! Thanks!

[@funbro1]

That's the way I like to do it. Thanks for watching..

[@salmangq3878]

Thank you so much

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@toddthomas1641]

Thank you!!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@kodysparks7535]

Is it always up or down depending on trailer and side

[@funbro1]

Should be, at least on all the ones I have seen. Thanks for watching.

[@eugeniotejeda-oy7oh]

Very helpful

[@funbro1]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching.

[@vlo9079]

Excellent video! Just what I needed to know. One quick question. In the video you said you were spinning the screw "clockwise", but it looked liked you were spinning counter clockwise. Did I miss something? Lefty Lucy, righty tighty, right? Thank you!

[@funbro1]

It depends on which way you look at it I guess. After spinning it a few times you should feel it tightening up if not try the opposite direction.
Thanks for watching.

[@vlo9079]

@@funbro1 I'm working on them as we speak. You're right. I figured it out. I wedged the flathead screwdriver in there and pried on it so the bolt rotated upwards. That tightened the brakes up. This is on the driver's side of the trailer. Gotta do the other side now👍

[@MrStrutus]

How many rotation you need

[@funbro1]

It all depends on how much of your brake shoes are worn away. You will want to feel a drag on the wheels as they are spun by hand. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@Supercharged111]

Is there not something to keep the adjuster from loosening like on a car? When you back it off it looked like it just spun backwards without a fight.

[@funbro1]

It’s like a ratchet. Should only spin one way easily.
Thanks for watching.

[@Supercharged111]

@@funbro1 So it is just like a car or truck then

[@funbro1]

Yes very similar.

[@XCountryAdventures]

Thanks for the info. Looking at adjusting my brakes soon. I’ve heard it’s better to jack from frame rather than the axel. What’s your thoughts?

[@funbro1]

Better? Same but different. IF you feel safer and it works out better then go with the frame. Thanks for watching.

[@theveteranrvr3732]

Never by the axle.

[@jbw5485]

The Veteran RVR why?

[@theveteranrvr3732]

@@jbw5485 My bad.... The jack and/or trailer weight could cause the axle to shift or twist out of alignment. The axles are made with a slight bend. Bend the axle, and that's money for repairs. The tire(s) will then wear out pretty quick. Always at the frame fore or aft the tire....and not on the shackles. This warning is practically on all owner's manuals for trailers.
"Never raise the RV by placing the jack under the axle, springs or any attachment parts. Failure to comply could result in property damage, personal injury or death."

[@jbw5485]

The Veteran RVR I mean, maybe. My view point is that it runs down the highway at 80 bouncing like hell over bumps hailing a heavy load. If everything is bolted up tight and correctly, I can’t see how anything would be harmed. If the trailer is empty, and you use the Jack way out close to the U bolts on the axle, I can’t imagine anything being harmed. If the axle can bent under just the trailers weight using a jack, then it’s a piece of shit and I wouldn’t trust it towing my expensive equipment or toys. Just my two cents. Of course the manufacturer is gonna have a warning against it. Some Jack leg would use a Jack in the middle of the axle with a 7 ton load. Haha

[@TheMonkdad]

Back in the day drum brakes were self adjusting by stepping on the brake pedal hard while moving in reverse. Are these not capable of this?

[@funbro1]

I only move this in reverse when necessary so I don't think it would be enough to adjust them fully. Doing it this way lets me know I have it done to the right adjustment. Thanks for watching.

[@fernandezsoliel]

My trailer failed inspection because they said the driver side was not applying enough lbs of preasure. Driver side 500lbs, left side 2112lbs. You think this will fix this problem?

[@funbro1]

It would be a good place to start and would be worth the small time investment to find out. Thanks for watching.

[@fernandezsoliel]

@@funbro1 your the f****ing man bro. That did it. I was walking around with a koolaid smile for hours. Thanks man. Keep up the good videos.

[@letzburn7465]

All wheels will have to be adjusted in this manner, not just one :-)

[@funbro1]

Yes, I would recommend doing all of them at the same time..Thanks for watching.

[@dwightstebner9848]

would be nice if you could have been a bit more detailed....on left side which way do you spin the adjuster?

[@funbro1]

More detail yields more complaints about the length of the video. The left side gets turned the opposite of the right side. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@charlesmiller3134]

I didn’t think you could jack it up by placing the jack on the axel.

[@funbro1]

yep, I usually set the jack as close to the hub as possible. Thanks for watching.

[@rtp100]

funbro1 every time I buy new tires they always jack from the axel.

[@edwardlaw797]

Like your method. I have read adjust is the same number of clicks and that's not accurate... that would be mean left/right were made exactly the same with the same clearance and that's typically not the case.

[@funbro1]

I agree, Thanks for watching.

[@kirkcopple7918]

No slot on the back of my trailer brakes. Guess I have to take the drum off. But then how do i know how far to adjust them?

[@funbro1]

It is possible that you have self adjusting brakes. Thanks for watching.

[@kirkcopple7918]

@@funbro1 I should have edited my original comment. I have what I think is called a drop axle. There is a plug to adjust it, but there is 1/4" of clearance from where the axle drops down in front of it. No way to get any screwdriver or any other tool I can think of in there to reach the adjustment wheel.

[@headdown1]

@@kirkcopple7918 Same problem here. Wonderful of them to make an axle with brakes that are supposed to be adjusted, but can't be. Compass trailer by Look, 7000 lbs.

[@1941Prostreetwillys]

I’d go one step further and take the drum off pull the pinwheel adjuster and grease up the threads so they will never seize up, once they start seizing up and not adjusting properly you will know it.

[@funbro1]

Then I would go one step further than that and repack the bearings at that point. But that’s for another video. This one is just on adjusting the brakes, thanks for watching.

[@kenkelly1154]

Happen to have a link to the diagram you show?

[@funbro1]

Sorry, I do not. Thanks for watching.

[@IvanTheOneTV]

Thank you!

[@funbro1]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@precisionfilms3777]

Awsome thanks

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@therealheavyj]

I have an electric brake controller. I tow lots of different things. I’m constantly changing gain for max brake effect before lockup.
But
I have 2 trailers that are new and at max gain are not locking up.
This seems wrong to me and makes me wonder if these builders (custom work) maybe just didn’t adjust the brakes like in this video.
Could I be correct?
If my symptom is that at max gain i have no lockup - new trailers - is a possible solution this procedure?

[@funbro1]

I would start out by adjusting the brakes like in the video. It’s a quick job and it will let you know exactly where you stand as far as the brakes go.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching

[@handymanservices7324]

I would also make sure the brakes are getting power and are grounded well.

[@fullthrottle5563]

I’m dealing with the EXACT same issue right now. Brand new trailer and even with my trailer brake controller gain set at 10 it just barely seems to engage and slow the rig. I’m going to try this tonight after work. Did this fix your problem?

[@rubydog2]

@@fullthrottle5563 did this fix your problem? I seem to have the same thing going on.

[@vincej151]

I have never done this before - please hep if you can. I have the two rubber access holes just like yours. However, on mine you can see through the rhs access a spring. On the lhs access I can see a lever. But no matter how hard I try I can not see the little ratchet wheel. What am doing wrong? Any ideas? I can send you a picture if that helps. Cheers!

[@funbro1]

Usually if there is 2 access holes the one opposite the spring is where you will see the adjustment wheel. It is hard to find but sometimes using a flashlight helps, other than that you may want to pull one of the wheels off to see what's going on in there. Hope this helps, Thanks for watching.

[@vincej151]

​@@funbro1 Thanks for your reply. I finally got it figured out! First off 99% of the online videos deal with standard adjustable brakes. So, I pulled one drum off and discovered I have "self-adjusting" brakes - sheesh, what a joke - "self adjusting" - really?? I learned that even these need adjusting when the trailer comes out the factory. Mine is 22 months old, and hence out of warranty.
Then I learned, through trial and error, that adjustment occurs in a totally different way from all the video descriptions. In the RHS access you poke a thin screw driver in, and raise a lever up, thus exposing the ratchet wheel on the LHS access. Then with another thin screw drive, not a brake spoon (!) you push the ratchet wheel down, not up. After 2 afternoons in 35 degree Celsius heat (95F) I finally got 1 wheel right - hallelujah! Tomorrow I fix the other 3.
A good video on self adjusting brakes, is really lacking. Perhaps, you might be up for it? Cheers!

[@wheelinndealin]

I love you

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@Fetherko]

So "a little bit" is four clicks back to loosen it. Not just one click

[@funbro1]

It really depends on how loose the brakes are to begin with. Have someone turn the wheel while you are doing the adjustments, that should help.
Thanks for watching.

[@RipRoaringGarage]

Nice video, however UA-cam has no idea what it recommends to me lol. Im looking for adjusting trailer brakes on an articulated bus, with air over hydraulic, and single foot metering valve and parking brake ....

[@funbro1]

Well that doesn't sound like this video but Thanks for watching.

[@RipRoaringGarage]

@@funbro1 I know, what I want is impossible to find because I might be the only one that has one of these (at least outside of Russia or North Koreea lol). But still figured Id drop a comment (I ask my followers that, so gotta lead by example..or something lol)

[@timluong7814]

Mm,,everything is ok

[@funbro1]

Good to hear, Thanks for watching.