Poor Braking

[Believer]

I have brakes on two axle on goose neck flatbed. Hardly any braking power. My controller works well on another trailer. Pulled a couple wheels, there's lining. Adjusted all the shoes out to touch the drum.

Can the magnets be bad? All four wheels have some braking (jacked up each wheel and energized the brakes), but I can overpower two of them by hand. Would bad shoes act like this?

 

[wmonroe]

How are the electrical connections? I have seen trailers where all there was making the connection to the brakes was one of those scotch lock (or whatever) connectors and when they where removed and the wires soldered together correctly the braking power improved significantly.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It would odd for all 4 magnets to go bad at the same time. Its possible but odd.

I would start off by checking the plug internally for corrosion. After that start checking the wiring and pay close attention to the connections and grounds.

Chris

 

[CJONE]

Another quick question? What size wire does the trailer have for the brakes? Also like Diamond asked Ground? Ground wire size? On my 3 axle trailers I always run a heavier gage wire in the main harness and found the controller would be adjusted way less for the same stopping power. I have found on some trailers they try to run the brakes with 16 gauge wire!! CJ

 

[wmonroe]

Another quick question? What size wire does the trailer have for the brakes? Also like Diamond asked Ground? Ground wire size? On my 3 axle trailers I always run a heavier gage wire in the main harness and found the controller would be adjusted way less for the same stopping power. I have found on some trailers they try to run the brakes with 16 gauge wire!! CJ

Good point, I think my gooseneck has a 12 gauge wire.

 

[busy dad]

Is it possible they are installed backwards. If the left and right were switched , they would be running in reverse . Self energizing brakes are less effective in reverse.. I would also make sure the wiring is heavy enough ..

 

[Believer]

Can I connect brake line directly to 12 volts, bypassing the controller, to test?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can I connect brake line directly to 12 volts, bypassing the controller, to test?

Yes. In my shop I use my jumper pack.

Chris

 

[orezok]

Pull the break away switch and see if that locks then up. That would eliminate any problems with the controller or truck.

 

[CJONE]

Pull the break away switch and see if that locks then up. That would eliminate any problems with the controller or truck.

DO NOT, DO NOT do this with the truck hooked up you "may" fry the brake controller. CJ