Everybody check your brakes!

[Brother Les]

My unit came with self adjusting brakes that adjust when going Forward and applying the brakes. I did not know about this type of brakes on my unit until major damage was done and ended up costing days on the side of the road and new axle and hubs.

Checks your hubs and brakes and know what type you have and adjust them looser.... not tighter if they are forward adjusting brakes, as they will shortly tighten up. Once a year, remove your hubs and bearing and check for wear and re grease.

[atcbrownie]

The left front brake had a wire disconnected which made the right front brake not work at all and was quite rusty. Is it possible that this caused the left rear to receive too much power and over adjust?

[mike.t]

My understanding of self adjusting brakes is the adjusting occurs when backing up.

[Tommy Joann]

Self-adjusting brakes work whenever brakes are applied.

[mike.t]

Sorry tommy but that is incorrect.

[atcbrownie]

The Dexter self adjusting brakes adjust when brakes are applied going forward. Car self adjusting brakes work in reverse

[Tommy Joann]

Whenever the brakes are applied the mechanism moves a lever that turns a threaded wheel that spreads the shoes at the bottom. It doesn't matter what direction the wheels are turning or whether they are moving at all.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by atcbrownie

The left front brake had a wire disconnected which made the right front brake not work at all and was quite rusty. Is it possible that this caused the left rear to receive too much power and over adjust?

No. The self adjuster will only adjust when there is a sufficient gap between the rear brake shoe and the brake drum. The adjustment is done manually electricity engages the magnet. Let me add. If the everything is working correctly

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Tommy Joann

Whenever the brakes are applied the mechanism moves a lever that turns a threaded wheel that spreads the shoes at the bottom. It doesn't matter what direction the wheels are turning or whether they are moving at all.

I am quite aware of the self adjusting parts of the system. There may be different trailer brake systems that adjust going forward and backing up. However not both.

[SeaDog]

The good thing is you found it and can now put it back the right way and be safe.

[TURBS]

Lets put this to bed.
Eliminates Manual Brake Adjustments
The design of Nev-R-Adjust brakes utilizes an innovative forward self-adjusting feature. During braking, Nev-R-Adjust brakes automatically rotate an adjuster assembly to close the gap caused by lining wear. This eliminates the need for manual brake adjustments while maintaining optimum performance and delivering maximum braking power.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

[rockfordroo]

Watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2CHjTw9EA0

[SeaDog]

boy that was a short video guess the longer version can be seen on youtube. lol

I understand the brake adjusters and have env-r-adjust on my flagstaff but I'm going to youtube just to see the video.

[Big Bill]

From the looks of the schoes the drum may need replacement

[atcbrownie]

Yea there were some pretty deep grooves in the drum so I replaced it as well.

[AquaMan]

Atcbrownie, I didn't see where anyone confirmed your suspicion on the loose brake wire, but yes, that is what most likely wore your brake out and not necessarily an adjustment issue. It received more power at each braking and caused the eventual fail.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Lets put this to bed.
Eliminates Manual Brake Adjustments
The design of Nev-R-Adjust brakes utilizes an innovative forward self-adjusting feature. During braking, Nev-R-Adjust brakes automatically rotate an adjuster assembly to close the gap caused by lining wear. This eliminates the need for manual brake adjustments while maintaining optimum performance and delivering maximum braking power.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"

TURBS, how are these types of brakes initially adjusted during installation? I feel like mine are not adjusted properly and are giving me poor braking performance. I am using the integral electric brake system in my Chevy 3500HD and I can't get the brakes to lock up at any speed with my Windjammer when I set the level to its maximum.

Bruce

[nomad297]

OK, I just noticed the video above. I watched it, but I don't understand what the guy is trying to explain. How do I adjust with the wheel and hub in place?

If I just leave them alone are they going to eventually adjust themselves to the correct position, no matter how far off they are right now?

Bruce

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by nomad297

TURBS, how are these types of brakes initially adjusted during installation? I feel like mine are not adjusted properly and are giving me poor braking performance. I am using the integral electric brake system in my Chevy 3500HD and I can't get the brakes to lock up at any speed with my Windjammer when I set the level to its maximum.

Bruce

Here a while back we had a thread about the settings in you're Driver Information Center about trailer braking, that not your problem also? When I adjusted mine to "High" it went from weak braking to locking up at gain of 7.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by nomad297

TURBS, how are these types of brakes initially adjusted during installation? I feel like mine are not adjusted properly and are giving me poor braking performance. I am using the integral electric brake system in my Chevy 3500HD and I can't get the brakes to lock up at any speed with my Windjammer when I set the level to its maximum.

Bruce

Initially you adjust them the same as regular brakes. Tighten them up then back off until you feel a slight, very slight, drag. I wouldn't worry too much about no being able to lock them up. I have not had many trailers that would lock up. They tell you to adjust your gain until lock up but don't bother to tell you that most trailers are incapable of locking up.