Am I expecting too much?

[Mrobinson]

2003 Classic 30’. I never felt satisfied with brakes on this trailer. Decided to degrease and inspect (again). One of the pads fell off so I did what I had wanted to do and replaced with new Nev r adjust all the way around. Did the manual adjustment so as to have some drag on brakes.
I know they are engaging but still have what I consider to be minimal effect with the controller set to max.
2019 F150 with built - in controller.
I would appreciate any help with this.
( I did resurface drums and face where magnet contacts.). Thanks.

[fran&frank]

When driving can you mannualy apply the trailer brakes with your controller, and does it slow your truck down without applying the truck brakes? With the controller on max when driving on a gravel road fully apply your truck brakes, do the trailer brakes lock up and skid? If so it may be doing what its meant too.-- Frank

[AldeanFan]

Are the shoes arched to match the drums?
That used to be a common procedure when Drum brakes were common on cars.

If the drums don’t match the shoes you will not get much breaking until the shoes wear to match the drums.

On all three of my trailers if I were to set the brake controller to max I would lock up the trailer brakes and drag the truck to a stop.

[Bill M.]

When I replace the brakes on our trailer it took a while for them to wear in or whatever they do. I took it our at low speed and deliberately scrubbed the brakes for a while. All in all it was sorta dissapointing. And the new pads do not brake much when they get wet.

[jcanavera]

Most brake controllers have a gain adjustment that you need to set. As others have said the proper way is to be traveling on a gravel or solid surface at a low speed. No more than 10 mph. You use the brake controller and engage the manual button or lever to put full voltage to the brakes. The idea is to get those wheels to lock up when you use max power. If you do it right the lock up occurs right as you hit full power. Not before. At that point you are considered set properly.

Also keep in mind that as your breaks wear and if you haven't had them adjusted in a while, you may need to up that gain, or after adjustment lower that gain. I had a break failure on one wheel where components came apart. Ruined the break assembly on that wheel and the drum. Dealer replaced that assembly and drum and then adjusted all 4 wheels. I did go back and tested my brakes and did make adjustments on the gain. Did that on his parking lot prior to heading for home on the Interstate.

Jack

[ROBERT CROSS]

After 17yrs "Cloudsplitter" is getting new axles, 4000lb standard taper re-pack when needed bearings, with manual adjust brakes on Dexter Axles.
Nothing is for 'never'.

But yes...new shoes do have to be worn in to the radius of the drums...I drive for awhile applying the trailer brakes intermittently, do not overheat.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mrobinson]

With controller set on max at low speed on a gravel driveway the tires will not slide.
They are performing much like they did before I did all the repairs
I will attempt to break them in.
Any other options? Thanks

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

After 17yrs "Cloudsplitter" is getting new axles, 4000lb standard taper re-pack when needed bearings, with manual adjust brakes on Dexter Axles.
Nothing is for 'never'.

Bob
����

Bob, Good decision...IMHO. The 4K axles too!

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Mrobinson

With controller set on max at low speed on a gravel driveway the tires will not slide.
They are performing much like they did before I did all the repairs
I will attempt to break them in.
Any other options? Thanks

Girl alert: know virtually nothing about electrical stuff but have great trouble-shooting skills (matched by total humility, of course[emoji1787][emoji1787])

At this point I would test the wiring on both your tow vehicle and trailer. If you have a meter check your 7 pin connector, and voltage from the umbilical cord to the brake drums.

Even without a meter, if you have a friend with a trailer, you can isolate the problem Hook up his trailer to your tow vehicle and see if the brakes will lock. Next try the friend's tow vehicle with your trailer. That should isolate the problem to your truck or your trailer.

I have a vague memory that at one time, Ford trucks needed an upgrade or toggle switch setting changed to work with some trailers including Airstreams. Sorry, I don't remember if it was written up on this forum. You might TRY an aftermarket brake controller in your truck, too.

I had a Silverado several years ago (2008), that would not support a brake controller until I hooked up an extra wire in a box under the hood. 25 cent fix Chevy was too cheap to do... but a year or two later they added an integrated controller. Go figure.

Happy hunting.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by RivetED

Bob, Good decision...IMHO. The 4K axles too!

A necessity...We babied the 2 3500's since new, on a 7300lb GVWR trailer with a bent spindle, it was time.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mrobinson]

That makes sense. Go Girl!

[magnusdog]

2019 F-150? My father-in-law bought one at the end of last year to tow his SOB toy hauler. The integrated brake controller didn’t work from day one. He took it back to the dealer, where they had to go into the programming to turn it “on”. It worked fine after that. They also replaced the oil fill cap that was never there...

I would suggest taking your truck back to the dealer to see if this is the case with yours.

Brad

[GatorDave]

Disc brakes will solve a multiplude of problems. And stop much quicker. I installed Kodiak rotors and pads with a dexter hydraulic pump. The difference it made from drums is amazing.amd maintenance is much simpler.

[Streamracer]

Have you looked to see where your gain is set on your controller? It might need to be increased.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Mrobinson

With controller set on max at low speed on a gravel driveway the tires will not slide.
They are performing much like they did before I did all the repairs
I will attempt to break them in.
Any other options? Thanks

Does your controller have a gain control? That's used to either lower the current or increase the current to the brakes. Sounds on the surface that you need to adjust the gain upwards to provide more power to the brakes. Likewise if the brakes lock up too soon you can reduce power.

I have a Jordon controller that has that adjustment and every add on inertial controller I've ever used had that adjustment. I've seen some integral controllers on GMC pickups which also have adjustments. It's always part of the process as some fine turning may be necessary to match the requirements of your tow vehicle and trailer.

Jack

[Goin camping]

OP, I was never happy with the brakes on our 25 ft. FB.

Changing them over to disc was like a braking lottery win.

My kit added four 1 ton chevy disc brakes to the trailer. Bigger brakes than on the 3/4 tow vehicle.

Brakes are incredible and everything stops amazingly quick.

Sold that trailer but the new to me 62 22 footer know has disc brakes on its one axle.

Btw, Discs also allow you to balance your wheel and tires. Another plus.

[guskmg]

GatorDave has it right. Disc brakes. OEM or Banks Brakes plus TT disc brake will stop you on a dime (I'm not sure about the change). Tuson DirectLink controllers and E/H pumps, as well as Dexter, are recommended by Airstream Service. I have had that combination for years and would never have electric brakes again.
guskmg

[AldeanFan]

Properly functioning drum brakes will stop your trailer no problem.
If you feel you need disk brakes to stop your drum brakes are not adjusted or functioning properly.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

Properly functioning drum brakes will stop your trailer no problem.
If you feel you need disk brakes to stop your drum brakes are not adjusted or functioning properly.

They work better than drums on your trailer for the same reasons they work better on your car. They:
1) shed water, heat and dirt better
2) have a more linear increase in stopping force
3) less tendency to lock up early due to #1 above.
4) are self adjusting (that actually works)

If you ever had them, combined with a quality controller, you wouldn't make such statements. They are markedly better.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

If you ever had them, combined with a quality controller, you wouldn't make such statements. They are markedly better.

X2

Forum said that answer was too short, hence this non contributory line.

Carry on.