Trailer Brake Maintenance

Trailers brakes are very important. They help to offset the extra weight of your trailer and cargo so that your stopping distance doesn’t become too large to manage. That’s why it’s so important that you put in the work to maintain your trailer’s brakes. If you’re not sure where to start in regards to trailer brake maintenance, this guide from the experts at Triple M Trailers has a few helpful tips. 

Types of Trailer Brakes

Trailers come with either electric or surge brakes. Electric brakes are connected to the brakes on your tow vehicle via a wire. When you engage your tow vehicle’s brakes, it sends a signal to your trailer’s brakes so that they engage as well. When it comes to electric trailer brake maintenance, the most important thing to do is to check the wire to make sure that it isn’t frayed or broken. 

Surge brakes aren’t connected to your tow vehicle’s brakes at all. Instead, surge brakes automatically activate whenever they detect a forward jolt. This jolt usually occurs when you engage your tow vehicle’s brakes and the trailer’s moment carries it forward. If you need to check to make sure that your trailer’s surge brakes are still functioning correctly, give your trailer a quick push. If the brakes engage, everything is fine. If they don’t, check the brake fluid, master cylinder, and wheel cylinders. 

Brake Inspection

No matter which type of brakes your trailer uses, it’s important to inspect them on a routine basis. Check the drums, shoes, shoe return springs, and hardware. Check for corrosion, wearing, and parts that are starting to grind together. You should also compare both sides of your trailer to make sure that both sides are evenly worn. Uneven wearing usually indicates some deeper issue, such as a problem with your hitch or your trailer not being loaded correctly. 

These inspections should occur at least once a year or every 12,000 miles. Long periods spent idle can be bad for your trailer’s brakes, so be sure to inspect the brakes even if you don’t use your trailer that often. 

Shop trailers at Triple M Trailers in Wills Point, Texas. We also offer financing, parts ordering, servicing, and trade-ins. We’re proud to serve Van Zandt County, Texas, including communities like Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.