More brakes

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Mar 28, 2022 | 01:02 PM

Chip Schweiss

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 40

Likes: 10

From: Glencoe, MO

More brakes

I have a '93 F-250 4x4 and a 10K bumper pull enclosed trailer. For the first time, I loaded it up at near capacity and traversed a small trip. It became clear when loaded I need a weight-distribution hitch. However, the bigger problem is not enough brakes.

The brakes on the truck are all new and work well with a light load. (3500# trailer + 3000# load) The brakes on the trailer seem to be working properly but just not enough when loaded. It has brakes on all 4 wheels. While braking I was manually engaging the brake controller to maximum braking.

I need to get this in shape for more hauling like this at distance. Is there something missing that I should be checking? What are my options to beef this up?

Thanks,
-Chip

Mar 28, 2022 | 01:48 PM

seventyseven250

Lead Driver

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 8,475

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From: Calgary Canada

What axles and brakes are on that trailer? Do all four brakes work? I'm guessing it is some combination of a) not all four working, b) some of the brakes have been invaded by grease, making them weak, or c) not adjusted correctly making them weak.

Mar 28, 2022 | 04:15 PM

HRTKD

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Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 19,711

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From: Wyoming

Did manually engaging the brake controller have the desired effect? If so, then you need to adjust the brake force setting on the brake controller.

Mar 28, 2022 | 05:27 PM

RV_Tech

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Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10,060

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From: Bristol, TN.

Did you actually get a scale weight on the trailer? If you have a meter that reads amps, have your taken a reading to see the actually amp draw? Doing so will give you an idea how many amps the brakes are drawing so you know if they are all on board. Or, if your trailer has a battery (it should have in case the trailer detaches from the truck), disconnect the seven pin from the truck and pull the breakaway. Can you move the trailer? Trailer brakes will just about throw you through the windshield if the pin is pulled while you are towing so you should not be able to move the trailer without dragging the wheels.

Mar 29, 2022 | 07:03 AM

SpencerPJ

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2020

Posts: 1,369

Likes: 417

You might need to increase initial gain. You also might just need to manually adjust your brakes. Not uncommon at all (most don't self adjust like the old school brakes). I readjusted mine last summer, world of difference.

Mar 29, 2022 | 07:14 AM

RV_Tech

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Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 10,060

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From: Bristol, TN.

Agree for sure. If everything looks good electrically adjustment is in order.

Mar 29, 2022 | 08:19 AM

Chip Schweiss

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 40

Likes: 10

From: Glencoe, MO

Thanks for all the input, I'm a bit new to towing this much weight, at least that I've set up on my own. Definitely sound's like it's the trailer brakes. Manually engaging the brake controller to maximum braking definitely engaged the brakes more than automatically, but not nearly enough.

Once it quits raining, I'll be checking on the trailer brake systems.

Given how it handled until heavily loaded, I got the impression that it may have just not been equipped with enough braking power. I now realize it could be as simple as adjusting the brakes. I don't know yet if it has manual or automatic adjusting brakes.