I pulled this link from the E trailer FAQ section. I think it addresses your question.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html

 

I tried adjusting the brakes like the first said when I put them on. Apparently I didn't do a good job of this. So I am gonna go with the let them adjust themselves and see what happens. I have so slowly travelled roads around me. I think I will just take it for a spin and just go slow and apply the brakes on and off a lot. We will see how this works.

 

In my opinion, a first class idea! If you feel the brakes are not quite enough, it is entirely legitimate to dial up your controller a bit (not recommended to compensate for worn brakes, but that is not your case).

Steve

 

Not sure how long it will take them to adjust. But hopefully not terrible long? Would it be acceptable to turn up the controller higher to get them to adjust quicker or is that not a good idea? Or was that what you were saying ^ there?

Again I appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

dialing up the controller will simply give more stopping power. In my opinion, you are obsessing about something that will take care of itself.

 

Sorry. Not trying to be obsessed. Just am thinking new brakes equal stopping power I had before. And that's not happening yet. I guess I just need to chill, take it for some drives and see what happens. Hopefully adjusting and start working before my truck brakes are toast

 

I experienced much that same thing when I recently did my wheel bearings. Mine are self adjusting as well.


Upon putting it all back together without touching the brakes at all they were way backed off. I had brakes but barely.


I have towed with it and they are getting better.

 

As I said before, check the heat or temperature per axle after driving a bit. Heat will destroy your shoes, not to mention, overheat the bearings.
Drive for 5 minutes and check the temperature of each hub, relative to the others.
It will tell you if one or more hub is over tightened.
Adjust and do it again, keeping the temps similar and yet feeling the effects of the brakes when applied. Again, expect about 160-165 degrees after a session.

 

Well took the trailer for about a 70 mile round trip. The brakes have slowly started working again. We are back to squeaking again. So I am guessing I am gonna have to take them apart again and see what's going on.

 

This is an interesting situation. If I understand the sequence of events, you started out with worn out brakes that were noisy. You replaced the brakes. What parts did you install new?

Then you felt the brakes were not working very well, but gradually they started working again and now are as noisy as they were initially?

There is not much in that system. You have a pair of shoes rubbing against a drum when the brakes are activated by the brake controller.

Now that they are noisy again, would it make sense to raise one wheel at a time and see which one or ones is making the noise.

If any wheel is running so hot it is destructing, you can certainly smell it and you will not need an IR gun to measure the heat. It will feel plenty warm to the touch.

Certainly a puzzler.

Steve

 

So did you test for heat per wheel or just go?
Most of this advice here, comes from previous pitfalls, trying to avoid what we've already experienced.

 

I did the feel test. The driverside rear is on fire when I stop. The other three wheels are good to go. Don't understand how one wheel can adjust its self back to that point.

 

Guess a visual may indicate what went wrong.


Defective something comes to mind.

 

I'd start by backing off the drum adjuster wheel, ensuring you go the correct direction. Again as others have stated, raise the wheel off the ground and spin it while adjusting, ensuring you just have a very fine amount of drag or noise.
Buy an IR tester. Pretty cheap anywhere these days and safe another quick brake job.

 

Is there a possibility something has broken loose or is not in place in that one wheel that is hanging up the shoe/s?

You did three correctly, why this one? Something is out of whack. I know it is a pain, but I would pull that one drum and take a look.

Steve