Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes; Electric Brakes; Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes; Electric Brake Magnets - OHIOSTEEL Utility Trailer Owner's Manual

is "hard braked" from a rearward direction. Read your
axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your
brakes. If you do not have this manual, contact your
dealer for assistance.

9.2.2.2 Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes

Some braking systems are not automatically
adjusted. These brakes require manual adjustment.
The following steps apply to adjust most manually
adjustable brakes.
Read your axle and brake manual to see how to
adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual,
contact your dealer for assistance.
Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate
1.
capacity jack stands.
Be sure the wheel and brake drum rotate freely.
2.
Remove the adjusting-hole cover from the
3.
adjusting slot on the bottom of the brake backing
plate.
With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool,
4.
rotate the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to
expand the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes
out until the pressure of the linings against the
drum makes the wheel very diffi cult to turn. Note:
Your trailer maybe equipped with drop spindle
axles. See axle manual for your axle type. You will
need a modifi ed adjusting tool for adjusting the
brakes in these axles.
Rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until
5.
the wheel turns freely with a slight drag.
Replace the adjusting-hole cover.
6.
Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
7.
Lower the trailer to the ground.
8.
9.2.2.3 E B
LECTRIC RAKES
Two different types of electric brakes may be present
on the trailer: an emergency electric breakaway
system, which acts only if the trailer comes loose
from the hitch and the breakaway pin is pulled. The
other brake is an electric braking system that acts
whenever the brakes of the tow vehicle are applied.
Breakaway Battery - This battery supplies the power
to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples
from the tow vehicle. Be sure to check, maintain
and replace the battery according to the battery
manufacturer's instructions. Your trailer may use the
hydraulic system battery to operate the breakaway
brakes.
Inspection, Service And Maintenance
^
Extreme cold weather can degrade battery
performance and cause brakes to not
operate properly.
Check battery charge level before towing.
Breakaway Switch - This switch engages the electric
brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle.
To check for proper functioning of the switch, battery
and brakes, you must pull the pin from the switch and
confi rm that the brakes apply to each wheel. You can
do this by trying to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle,
after pulling the pin. The trailer brakes may not lock,
but you will notice that a greater force is needed to
pull the trailer.
^
If electric breakaway brakes do not operate
when trailer is uncoupled from the tow
vehicle, death or serious injury can occur.
Check emergency breakaway brake system
before each tow.

9.2.2.4 Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes

The electric brakes that operate in conjunction with
the tow vehicle brakes must be "synchronized" so
that braking is properly distributed to the tow vehicle
brakes and the trailer brakes. For proper operation
and synchronization, read and follow the axle/brake
and the brake controller manufacturers' instructions.
If you do not have these instructions, contact your
dealer for assistance.

9.2.2.5 Electric Brake Magnets

To make certain an electrically-operated braking
system will function properly, you must have your
dealer inspect the magnets at least once a year, or
each 12,000 miles. See the brake manual for wear
and current inspection instructions.

9.2.3 Trailer Brakes - Surge (If Equipped)

9.2.3.1 Surge Brake Master Cylinder

Check fl uid level prior to using the trailer. The master
cylinder is normally located on the tongue of the
trailer. The fl uid level must maintained at full mark on
47
CAUTION
WARNING