Multiquip Trailers - Manual (Page 30)

page 30 — trailer • owner's manual — rev. #4 (11/08/13)
breaking in a new trailer
retigHten lug nuts
(at First 10, 25 & 50 Miles)
Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first
assembled, and must be checked after the first 10, 25 and
50 miles of driving. Failure to perform this check may result
in a wheel coming loose from the trailer, causing a crash
leading to death or serious injury.
aDJust BraKe sHoes at First 200 miles
Brake shoes and drums experience a rapid initial wear. The
brakes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use, and
each 3,000 miles thereafter. Some axles are fitted with a
mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes
when the trailer is “hard braked” from a forward direction.
Read your axle and brake manual to see if your brakes
adjust automatically.
A hard stop is used to:
„ confirm that the brakes work
„ confirm that the trailer brakes are properly synchronized
with the tow vehicle brakes; and for many braking
systems automatically adjust the brake shoes
If your trailer is not fitted with automatically adjusting brakes,
the brakes will need to be manually adjusted.
sYnCHronizing tHe BraKe sYstems
(eleCtriC BraKes)
Trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with
the brakes on the tow vehicle. When the tow vehicle and
trailer braking systems are synchronized, both braking
systems contribute to slowing, and the tongue of the trailer
will neither dive nor rise sharply.
warning
Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation,
which can lead to death or serious injury.
Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when
wheel(s) have been remounted after the first 10, 25
and 50 miles of driving.
Common causes of improper brake synchronization are:
„ Different trailer loads
„ Adverse weather and road conditions
„ Uneven current flow from tow vehicles electric system
„ Improper trailer brake adjustment
To obtain proper brake synchronization, drive your tow
vehicle 15 to 20 mph and make a few sudden stops on a
clean, gravel free paved road. Adjust your brake controller
so that you trailer brakes are at a point of impending
lock-up but not fully locked. Follow you brake controller’s
instructions for proper procedures for controller adjustment.
Proper brake synchronization is achieved when there is no
jerking or pushing from the trailer.
All brakes should work in harmony. If you are experiencing
a wheel lock-up adjust all the brakes to work the same.
Example: Adjust all other brakes up to have multiple wheel
lock-up, then turn down your brake controller to achieve
impending brake lock-up.
Do not over-aDJust tHe BraKes. This may cause
premature shoe wear. Depending on your brakes, tire
assemblies and trailer load, not all trailer brakes may
achieve lock-up. Brake lock-up constitutes longer stopping
distances and poor trailer control, therefore it must be
avoided.
To insure safe brake performance and synchronization,
read and follow the axle/brake and the brake controller
manufacturer instructions.
warning
If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not work properly
together, death or serious injury can occur.
Road test the brakes in a safe area at no more than 30
mph before each tow.