Airstream INTERNATIONAL TRAILER Owner's Manual page 49

AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL TRAILER OWNERS MANUAL
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.
WARNING
: 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. Turn the Controller adjustment in the
direction for more braking if the trailer brakes lag behind the tow vehicle. 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.
WARNING:
UNDER YOUR TRAILER UNLESS IT IS RESTING ON PROPERLY PLACED JACK STANDS.
NEVER CRAWL
D-15