Airstream 2001 Bamby Owner's Manual page 46

AIRSTREAM SAFARI –BAMBI TRAILER OWNERS MANUAL 2001
TO SYNCHRONIZE:
Start by making sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted. Set the System Resistor in the middle of the coil and
the Controller adjustment near the center of its setting.
CAUTION: BEFORE MAKING ROAD TESTS, MAKE SURE THE AREA IS CLEAR OF VEHICULAR AND
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.
Make hard stops from 20 mph on a dry paved road free of sand and gravel. If the trailer brakes lock and slide, add
more resistance to the circuit with the System Resistor. If they do not slide, take resistance out of the circuit. Adjust
the resistor just to the point of brake lockup and wheel skid.
Make a number of 30 mph hard stops to check braking at this speed. If the trailer brakes lag behind the tow vehicle,
turn the Controller adjustment in the direction for more braking. If the trailer brakes come in ahead of the tow
vehicle brakes, turn the Controller adjustment in the opposite direction. For best braking performance, it is
recommended that the Controller be adjusted to allow the trailer brakes to come in just slightly ahead of the tow
vehicle brakes. When proper synchronization is achieved there will be no sensation of the trailer jerking or
"pushing" the tow vehicle during braking.
When this adjustment is complete, make a hard stop or two from 20 mph to check for wheel lockup and whether
further fine-tuning of the System Resistor is required.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the first 200 miles of
operation when the brake shoes and drums have "seated", (2) at
3000-mile intervals, (3) or as use and performance requires. The
brakes should be adjusted in the following manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity jack stands.
Follow trailer manufacturers recommendations for lifting and
supporting the unit. Check that the wheel and drum rotates
freely.
2. Remove the adjusting hole cover from the adjusting slot on
the bottom of the brake backing plate.
3. With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool rotate the star
wheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake shoes.
(NOTE: With drop spindle axles a modified adjusting tool with
an 80 degrees angle should be used. Sears Craftsman # 4736 or
K-D #295 is recommended.) Adjust the brake shoes out until the
pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very
difficult to turn.
4. Then rotate the star wheel in the opposite direction until the
wheel turns freely with a slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower the wheel to the
ground.
6. Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
CAUTION: NEVER CRAWL UNDER YOUR TRAILER UNLESS IT IS RESTING ON PROPERLY
PLACED JACK STANDS.
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