Trailer brakes

[txredfish]

This spring, I plan a long trip from Texas to Kentucky. My TT has not been used since last May. It sits in my driveway for storage. Before I leave for my trip, is there a way that I can check my TT brakes to insure that they are not rusted or sticking. My driveway is on a slight incline. Would hooking the tow truck to camper, roll slowly applying brakes with brake controller slide work?

[Cowracer]

They will have a little surface rust on them. They won't be sticking. First time you apply the brakes, they will burnish the rust off of them. I wouldn't worry about it.

But yes, let it gravity roll (not sticking) and then use the brake controller to apply brakes.

Tim

[hack522]

Originally Posted by txredfish

This spring, I plan a long trip from Texas to Kentucky. My TT has not been used since last May. It sits in my driveway for storage. Before I leave for my trip, is there a way that I can check my TT brakes to insure that they are not rusted or sticking. My driveway is on a slight incline. Would hooking the tow truck to camper, roll slowly applying brakes with brake controller slide work?

I typically take mine down a low traffic street or parking lot and test the brakes. Adjust as necessary. Good luck.

[BarabooBob]

Every time I use my TT I test the brake a couple of times before I get on the highway. I live on a rural road, so I do a 30 mph check as soon as I pull out of my driveway. I get up to 30 and apply the brakes to make sure I can feel them bring my rig to a stop. This will remove any rust that built up since I used the TT last time.

[extxn]

Before you make the trip, consider when was the last time you checked or repack the trailer wheel bearings? At minimum, raise (jack) each tire clear of the ground so you can spin it by hand and give it a left/right hand shake, then up/down shake ~ HARD like it owes you $$$!! That way, you at least have an assumption as to whether the bearings are loose or not.

Then, as above members have said, slow speed trailer brake application with your hand controller to scrub the surface rust.

Good luck with the trip ~~

[babock]

When was the last time you pulled your wheels and checked both brakes and bearings? If it's been more than a year, pull them and check them.