Operating Guide

46
automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer
is “hard braked” from a rearward direction. Trailer
disc brakes are self-adjusting and do not need to be
periodically adjusted. Using pads or shoes without
enough brake lining material can result in brake
damage, create excessive heat and potentially cause
the loss of braking capacity. Read your axle and brake
manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not
have this manual, contact your dealer for assistance.
9.2.2.2 manually adjuStIng Brake ShoeS
Some braking systems are not automatically adjusted.
These brakes require manual adjustment. The following
steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable
brakes.
Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust
your brakes. If you do not have this manual, contact
your dealer for assistance.
1. Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate
capacity jack stands.
2. Be sure the wheel and brake drum rotate freely.
3. Remove the adjusting-hole cover from the adjusting
slot on the bottom of the brake backing plate.
4. With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate
the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand
the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until
the pressure of the linings against the drum makes
the wheel very difcult to turn. Note: Your trailer
maybe equipped with drop spindle axles. See axle
manual for your axle type. You will need a modied
adjusting tool for adjusting the brakes in these
axles.
5. Rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until
the wheel turns freely with a slight drag.
6. Replace the adjusting-hole cover.
7. Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
8. Lower the trailer to the ground.
9.2.2.3 electrIc BrakeS
Two different types of electric brakes may be present on
the trailer: an emergency electric breakaway system,
which acts only if the trailer comes loose from the hitch
and the breakaway pin is pulled. The other brake is an
electric braking system that acts whenever the brakes
of the tow vehicle are applied.
Breakaway Battery - This battery supplies the power
to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples from
the tow vehicle. Be sure to check, maintain and replace
the battery according to the battery manufacturer’s
instructions. Your trailer may use the hydraulic system
battery to operate the breakaway brakes.
^ CAUTION
Extreme cold weather can degrade battery
performance and cause brakes to not
operate properly.
Check battery charge level before towing.
Breakaway Switch - This switch engages the electric
brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle.
To check for proper functioning of the switch, battery
and brakes, you must pull the pin from the switch and
conrm that the brakes apply to each wheel. You can
do this by trying to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle,
after pulling the pin. The trailer brakes may not lock,
but you will notice that a greater force is needed to pull
the trailer.
^ WARNING
If electric breakaway brakes do not operate
when trailer is uncoupled from the tow
vehicle, death or serious injury can occur.
Check emergency breakaway brake system
before each tow.
9.2.2.4 tow VehIcle operated electrIc BrakeS
The electric brakes that operate in conjunction with
the tow vehicle brakes must be “synchronized” so
that braking is properly distributed to the tow vehicle
brakes and the trailer brakes. For proper operation and
synchronization, read and follow the axle/brake and
the brake controller manufacturers’ instructions. If you
do not have these instructions, contact your dealer for
assistance.
9.2.2.5 electrIc Brake magnetS
To make certain an electrically-operated braking system
will function properly, you must have your dealer inspect
the magnets at least once a year, or each 12,000 miles.
See the brake manual for wear and current inspection
instructions.
9.2.3 traIler BrakeS - Surge (If equIpped)
9.2.3.1 Surge Brake maSter cylInder
Inspection, Service And Maintenance