The Best & Easiest Way to Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes

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A step-by-step guide to adjusting the brake sensitivity on your trailer
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Gearing up to hit the open road? Whether you’re towing a simple trailer or RV, checking and adjusting your brakes every 3,000 miles ensures that your trailer will stop smoothly. Electric trailer brakes use a combination of electrical signals, electromagnets, and brake pads to function. Although they have a brake control panel, you still need to manually adjust them like a regular trailer. In this quick guide, we’ll teach you how to adjust electric or self-adjusting trailer brakes yourself in just a few minutes.

Things You Should Know

  • Adjust your trailer brakes by prying up the star wheel adjuster with a brake spoon or flathead screwdriver.
  • Push up on the star wheel adjuster to tighten the brake pads, or press it down to loosen the pads.
  • Rotate the tire slowly until it drags, as this signifies a tight, well-adjusted brake.
  • Make sure to adjust each tire on your trailer evenly so the brakes work and stop cohesively.
1

Jack up your trailer.

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    Place trailer jack stands on the trailer’s frame (not the axle) and crank it up. Keep lifting it until the wheel can spin freely. Leave the jack stands in place while you adjust the brakes. [1]
    • Stabilize the tires by placing chock blocks under them.
    • Keep in mind that an automobile jack may not be strong enough to lift a trailer.
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2

Take off the brake access cover.

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    Most trailers (including RVs) have a cover that must be removed to get to the brakes. Some have 1 cover per wheel, while others have multiple. Look for a circular or oval plastic or rubber plug on the tire near the axle, then take it off with a flathead screwdriver. [2]
    • If you’re unsure where your trailer or RV’s brake access covers are, check the user manual.
    • The access cover or protection cap is usually the same width as your thumb.
    • Every wheel has at least 1 brake access cover.
3

Pry up the star wheel adjuster.

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    Once the brake access cover is off, locate the star wheel adjuster—a spikey gear wrapped around a long, cylinder spool—inside the brake chamber (the area under the access cover). Use a brake spoon , brake adjustment tool , or flathead screwdriver to pry up the adjuster by lifting the teeth of the gear. Pry the gear up at least 5 times. [3]
    • Don’t be alarmed if you hear a clicking noise—this is completely normal and means you’re doing it right.
    • Prying up the wheel’s adjuster and pressing down on the brake spoon tightens the brake pads or shoes, while pressing up on the spoon and down on the adjuster loosens the pads.
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4

Turn the wheel until the tire drags.

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    While the star wheel adjuster is pried up, turn the wheel slowly, 1 click at a time (you can hear and feel this). Pry up the adjuster until the tire is difficult to turn. Then, turn the wheel in the opposite direction and back it off until you feel drag. This means the brakes are tightened. [4]
    • Depending on your trailer’s manufacturer, it may take around 10 notches to back the tire off; however, it’s best to go by feel rather than an exact number as each trailer is different.
    • If the wheel gets too tight, simply back it off by rotating the tire the other way.
5

Recover the brakes and repeat on the opposite tire.

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    After the first tire is tightened to your liking, let go of the star wheel adjuster. Put the brake access cover back on, release the jack on that side, and move to the other side. Repeat the adjustment process on the other tire, and you’re good to go. [5]
    • Make sure you adjust all of your tires the same way; otherwise, your trailer won’t stop evenly. [6]
    • In other words, ensure that each tire has the same amount of drag by feel or by counting the number of notches.
    • If your trailer has more than 2 tires, adjust all of them while the trailer is jacked up.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I reset a trailer brake controller?
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Expert Answer
    The procedure for resetting a trailer brake controller varies depending on the vehicle, but typically involves using a scanner computer connected to the vehicle. In some cases, the controller itself may feature a built-in reset function accessible through the unit's user interface. It's important to refer to the specific instructions provided for the particular trailer brake controller being used.
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  • Question
    How do I use brake shoe spring pliers?
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Hovig Manouchekian is an Auto Repair and Design Specialist and the Manager of Funk Brothers Auto, a family-owned business operated since 1925. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Hovig specializes in the process of auto repair and maintenance. He is also very knowledgeable in common automotive issues and needs including engine repair, battery replacement, and windshield accessory and maintenance. Hovig's knowledge and hard work have contributed to Funk Brothers Auto winning Angie's List Super Service Award for five consecutive years.
    Hovig Manouchekian
    Auto Repair & Design Specialist
    Expert Answer
    To utilize brake shoe spring pliers, secure one end to the pin situated on the backing plate or desk plate of the rear brake drum assembly. Subsequently, affix the other end of the pliers to the spring, stretching it toward the pin, and then fasten it securely around the pin. This tool is instrumental in simplifying the process of handling and attaching brake shoe springs during brake drum maintenance.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • With an RV trailer, you may need to remove the dust cover from the axle entirely to access the star wheel adjuster, depending on your trailer’s make and model. [7]
        Thanks
      • Adjust and break in new brakes in a large location (like an empty parking lot) so you can drive around freely. This way, you can test your brakes in a controlled environment before hitting the road. [8]
        Thanks
      • If you have an electric trailer, it’s usually time to adjust the brakes when they have a 7.5 or higher gain on the trailer’s brake controller.
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://brakeexperts.com/how-to-adjust-trailer-brakes-in-10-easy-steps/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/ClNp8T9cGo4?t=172
      3. ↑ https://brakeexperts.com/how-to-adjust-trailer-brakes-in-10-easy-steps/
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/ClNp8T9cGo4?t=244
      5. ↑ https://brakeexperts.com/how-to-adjust-trailer-brakes-in-10-easy-steps/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/ClNp8T9cGo4?t=292
      7. ↑ https://www.rv.com/archive/install-lipperts-forward-self-adjusting-rv-brakes/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/TzFtSEiRZPE?t=172
      9. ↑ https://brakeexperts.com/how-to-adjust-trailer-brakes-in-10-easy-steps/

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