Self-Adjusting Brakes

[DaveH]

I have a new 2022 Grand Design Reflection 150 280RS 5^th wheel RV trailer (delivered 6/2/22 tandem axle 10995 GVWR) with self-adjusting brakes. Do these brakes need to be manually adjusted after an initial break-in period so that they will self-adjust thereafter? Or will they self-adjust as delivered from the manufacturer?

[Country Campers]

You may want to check them to make sure they are adjusted correctly to start. If they are working good now then you should be ok.

Brian

[FlyStar]

I have a Reflection with the self adjusting brakes. Never adjusted them. Now, about 15,000 miles and they are looking and working great.

[TucsonJim]

Your rig was driven nearly 800 miles from Indiana to Kansas, so the self adjusting process should be complete. Jack each wheel up independently and see if there is some resistance from the brakes dragging while rolling the tire. If so, you're good. If not, then you can always manually adjust them.

Jim

[acoleman43]

I always do a trailer brake test as I'm beginning a trip. When going about 10 mph down our street I'll trigger the trailer brakes using the brake controller. You can certainly feel if they are working or not.

If they need some adjustment (as mine did after the brake work), simply stop your vehicle, put it in reverse, apply the trailer brakes with your brake controller and slowly back up about 5 to 10 feet. Then release the trailer brakes, pull forward and test the trailer brakes again. You should feel a significant difference. If it's still not enough, repeat.

[Country Campers]

I thought that backing up did not adjust the self adjusting brakes?, maybe I misunderstood that.

Brian

[acoleman43]

I thought that backing up did not adjust the self adjusting brakes?, maybe I misunderstood that.

Brian

Well, that how I was taught by the tech...and it worked great for me. I hope it doesn't do damage lol

[Country Campers]

Well, that how I was taught by the tech...and it worked great for me. I hope it doesn't do damage lol

Maybe I am confusing the new "automatic adjust" with the "self adjust", who knows what I think sometimes.

Brian

[colan]

just a minor point to clarify - self adjusting trailer brakes adjust when the brakes are applied and the trailer is moving forward. This is totally opposite of the self adjusting drum brakes on cars and trucks that some of us had years ago, these adjusted when the brakes were applied and the vehicle was backing up.

Vehicles without trailers back up fairly frequently and stop moving backwards with a fairly hard application of the brakes necessary to activate the self adjusters. Trailers are backed infrequently and usually very slowly with minimal braking effort rendering reverse self adjusting brakes ineffective.

Just guessing, but someone decided a long time ago that on cars and trucks forward self adjusting brakes would end up over adjusting (too tight) the brakes.

[(QUOTE=acoleman43;n97028]I always do a trailer brake test as I'm beginning a trip. When going about 10 mph down our street I'll trigger the trailer brakes using the brake controller. You can certainly feel if they are working or not.

If they need some adjustment (as mine did after the brake work), simply stop your vehicle, put it in reverse, apply the trailer brakes with your brake controller and slowly back up about 5 to 10 feet. Then release the trailer brakes, pull forward and test the trailer brakes again. You should feel a significant difference. If it's still not enough, repeat. [/QUOTE]

[familytruckster4]

If youre braking is less than adequate you may want to inspect them for overzealous greasing. My last 3 trailers had the special brakes with the grease all over them from being power greased.

[JCR GD]

Just an FYI, the "self adjusting brakes" adjust in both directions these days. Next time you do maintenance, give it a close look you will see how it works.