New trailer, a bit lighter than my old (but my new horse is heavier, so it’s probably similar overall). The trailer will sometimes shake when braking, for example if going down hill. Do I have too much or too little brakes on the trailer? I tried Google, but no help. Thanks!
Is it really shaking or is it jer-jer-jerking? Too little brake just feels like the truck is working harder to stop the trailer. Too much feels like grabbing (maybe that’s the shaking you feel?). Otherwise, something may be broken.
Take a look at your brake controller manual for how to calibrate it.
Thanks CD. It could be described as jerking I suppose. I kind of thought it was too much trailer brake, so I adjusted it down but that didn’t help. It’s due for inspection next month, so I probably should take it in early.
Is it new or new to you? Couple of things come to mind.
Warped brake drum, a car will do the same thing when lightly applying breaks, getting stronger with more slow pressure applied and pretty much going away with full break pressure applied. More common in disc breaks with a warped rotor.
Possibly the brake pads may not be set equally on both sides to the wheel drum. In this case it should go away when full break pressure is applied.
Sometimes people get lazy and or cheap when changing pads and only do one side which can cause problems. If it was bought used.
Possible bad connection/wire on the trailer side, to one side of the electric break switch. Resulting in not the same breaking pressure being applied to both sides due to a “weaker” current going to the solenoid/actuator.
And it might be the controller but these things generally last a long time. Not much to them. If one breaking side is working properly I don’t think it would be the controller. It sends a “mono” signal to the trailer and the wires split off on the trailer side to the breaks.
Should have brought it with you. My friends would have. After loading hay they’d ask, can you look at this while I’m here?
Lol I will next time. Thanks!
