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Trailer Brake Maintenance

Trailer brakes are easy to forget because they are out of sight, and they carry a big share of the stopping work when a loaded trailer is behind the truck.

Why do trailer brakes matter?

A loaded trailer can weigh as much as the truck pulling it, or more. Brakes on the trailer share the work of slowing it down. When they are weak, or not working at all, the truck's brakes are overloaded and stopping distances grow.

Not every trailer has brakes, and rules about when brakes are required vary by state and by trailer weight. Check with your state transportation or motor vehicle agency, and read the trailer's manual.

Even when brakes are not required, a trailer that has them is easier to control.

What types of trailer brakes are there?

Trailers use several kinds of brake systems, such as electric brakes, hydraulic surge brakes and air brakes. Each works differently and has its own parts, controller and care. Know which kind your trailer has before you try to inspect it.

The trailer manual and the manufacturer describe the system in detail. If the manual is missing, ask a dealer or qualified shop for guidance on your model.

Owners often find that trailer brake problems build slowly, so the stopping feels fine until the day it does not. Regular checks catch that drift.

• Brake controller gain or setting as the maker describes.
• Hub temperature after a trip, checked carefully by hand.
• Cables and connectors free of corrosion.

What can an owner check?

An owner can do a basic visual check and a function check, and leave everything else to a professional. Look for worn, cracked or damaged parts, fluid leaks, loose wires and corrosion. Test that the brakes work before every trip, with the trailer connected, at a slow speed in a safe place.

If you feel the trailer pushing the truck, pulling to one side or not slowing as it should, stop and have it checked.

Keep a simple notebook in the truck with the date of each check, what you found and what was done. Patterns show up quickly when written down.

• Wiring and connectors clean, dry and secure.
• Brake controller in the truck set up as the manufacturer describes.
• Brake lights and signals working.
• No fluid leaks around hydraulic parts.
• No grinding, squealing or burning smells.
• Breakaway cable or system attached and in good order.
• Lights work when the brakes are applied.
• No smell of burning after a short test.
• No pulling to one side.

What should a qualified shop handle?

Adjusting, replacing or repacking brake parts involves moving parts, heavy drums or hubs and sometimes hazardous materials. Wheel bearings, magnets, shoes and drums need to be inspected and serviced according to the manufacturer's schedule.

Do not work under a trailer supported only by a jack. Use proper stands on firm ground, or leave the job to a shop.

If a shop does the work, ask them to explain what they found, and ask for the old parts. A good shop is glad to show you.

How often should brakes be serviced?

Follow the manual. Heavy use, wet roads, mud, dust and long storage can make servicing more frequent. Keep a log of when brakes were inspected and what was done. Plan for service before a busy season, not during it.

If a trailer has been sitting, have brakes and bearings checked before towing.

Moisture is the enemy of brakes and bearings. Dunking a hot hub in water, for example, can cause damage, so ask your dealer how to handle crossings and washing.

What about the breakaway system?

Many trailers with brakes also have a breakaway system, a cable and battery that applies the brakes if the trailer comes loose from the truck. The battery needs to be kept charged and checked, and the cable has to be attached correctly.

Test the system as the manufacturer describes. Do not use the cable as a safety chain.

Teach everyone who tows what the breakaway system is and how to reset it.

• Battery charged.
• Cable attached to the truck, not the hitch ball.
• Switch or pin in the right position.

Build a simple brake routine

Test before every trip, inspect each season and have a professional look at the system on the schedule the maker gives. Write it all down, and teach everyone who tows.

Your trailer dealer or a qualified mechanic can help you set up a routine for your equipment.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.