missionman

Okay, I have a 7000GVWR travel trailer with dual axles, i just replaced all 4 complete brake assemblies and installed a new breakaway switch and battery. The brakes operate but i cant get them to "lock up" when using the Ford OEM TBC @ 10-20mph. They do engage but the truck and trailer continue rolling forward. gain set all the way to 10. 6.0 and under is basically nothing.

Gibby1234

Often times the brand new brake pads for trailers have a coating on them that has to wear off before they grab right. Drive a few blocks with the brakes on full. Don't do it too long to get the brakes too hot. This and regular use for a bit and they will grab great. Did you replace both the drums and pads when you did the brakes?

missionman

yea, replaced everything. ill give it a rip again this weekend. thanks

Gibby1234

Let me know, I just did the trailer brakes on a flat deck with tandem 5000# axels and the trailer brakes sucked right after I did them (with gain set at 10). But after I pulled it for a day they would lock up with the gain set at 3. (That was done on a 2013 chev with the integrated brake controller, but it should be very similar to a ford)

missionman

ill report back sunday afternoon

Steve Osborne

here's what I have done to seat new/serviced brakes.. ensuring the brakes are adjusted to have little drag on the drums for electric setups..

set controller to 5 or 6.. find an area you can tow and using the manual slide letting the brakes on the trailer engage to slow the trailer and truck. after a few/4-5 times give it some time to cool then again.. once done setting the tbc to normal use setting. mines about 7-8 for the weight on the car hauler loaded. just using the manual slide and truck in drive the trailer brakes will hold/stop the trailer and truck.

just remember. locked brakes are no good either= skidding/loss of traction..so you will need to adjust according to the weight...

tcp2

Make sure the new shoes are adjusted correctly as we'll on the trailer. If they are too loose inside the drums they don't put enough pressure. You adjusted them after installation by popping the plug and rotating the adjuster?