Is It Time for New Brake Drums?

Do you know what to look for when inspecting the brake drums on your trailer? What is considered normal wear and what isn't? How much damage is too much and should be considered beyond repair? The TrailerSmith answers these questions and more in this video.
Make sure to watch, subscribe, comment & share!
Other TrailerSmith videos related to this one:
How To Maintain Your New Utility Trailer • How To Maintain Your N...
How To Torque Trailer Lug Nuts • How To Torque Trailer ...
Trailer Tires: 5 Things You Should Know • Trailer Tires: 5 Thing...
How To Replace Trailer Axle Oil Seal • How To Replace Trailer...
How To Torque Trailer Lug Nuts • How To Torque Trailer ...
How To Install New Trailer Brakes and Drums • How To Install New Tra...
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Need a new trailer? Check out the good folks at Texas Custom Trailers for any trailer needs you may have. They can ship your new trailer to you if you’re not local! Texas Custom Trailers has a wide inventory of trailers you can view at www.txcustomtrailers.com. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give them a call! They can order it for you. And if you’re local, check them out for your trailer service needs! Tell them The TrailerSmith sent you!
www.txcustomtrailers.com
Links to products used in this video:
M-Parts Auto Amazon Store amzn.to/49l2waK
7K Brake Drum 8 on 6.5 amzn.to/3xfeTIh
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links included in the video descriptions may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with content.
Links to other videos:
Understanding 4-Way vs. 5-Way Trailer Plugs • Understanding 4-Way vs...
All About Boat Trailer Surge Brakes • All About Boat Trailer...
My #1 Trailer Accessory • My #1 Trailer Accessory
How To Diagnose Electric Trailer Brakes • How To Diagnose Electr...
How To Properly Load A Trailer / usbw91emi6
RV Care Tips: Conditioning Slide Out Wipers • RV Care Tips: Conditio...
RV Care Tips: Replacing The Wiper Seals • RV Care Tips: Replacin...
Trailer Tires: 5 Things You Should Know • Trailer Tires: 5 Thing...
Don’t Do This On Oil Bath Axles • Don't Do This On Oil B...
How To Replace Hydraulic Disc Brakes • How To Replace Hydraul...
How To Burnish Your Trailer Brakes • How To Burnish Your Tr...
How To Adjust Trailer Brakes The Easy Way • How To Adjust Trailer ...
Subscribe to the channel:
/ thetrailersmith
Follow Me:
Facebook - / thetrailersmith
Instagram- / thetrailersmith
KZbin- / thetrailersmith
#thetrailersmith #utilitytrailer #texascustomtrailers #towing #trailerrepair #mechanic #diytrailer #rv

[@Janicek007]

Thanks so much for your expert advice. It never ceases to amaze me how years of experience paired with wisdom is like beautiful poetry. Carry on mate!

[@bobbyboykin7137]

Just pulled the hubs on my 24' PJ gooseneck (4k Dexters) and almost all of the hubs were full of mud dobber chunks (Texas resident) and the inside wear surfaces look about like you showed, so I got some new backplates and hubs coming. Going to replace all of it. While Ive been packing my own bearings and doing this sort stuff for over 40 years Im smart enough to always look at what other folks are doing and your videos are excellent.

[@keironmeakin6733]

Greating from Australia, an awsome presentation

[@KameTrick]

Wow this was excellent! Great presentation, good visuals to go with them, thank you. Kudos from nearby Oklahoma.

[@808vws8]

GREAT break down of trailer brakes!! I’m so glad I found this video cause I’m helping my neighbor fix his PJ trailer&I wasn’t sure about a few thing’s I seen. Being a Porsche/Audi/VW mechanic drum brakes are ol school to me. Thanks again for your guidance&wisdom on what to pay close attention to. Between us my neighbor asked to me install new wheel bearings...little did I know they had brake issues last week&ASSUMED a “adjustment” plus new bearings would “FIX” there issues?! Needless to say they need new drums&shoes to fix there problem. I feel bad cause they didn’t listen to me when I said “hey there’s uneven where on the inner face/shoe surface of these drums. But they told me to finish the new bearings&we’ll go from there. Obviously the trailer didn’t function correctly so now they ordered new drums&shoe assemblies. Mahalo from Hawaii🤙🏽

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Howdy from Texas! 🤠 It's awesome that your neighbors have you to rely on! Unfortunately, we all have times where we have to learn the hard way. I'm glad you found the video helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@ericlee7665]

Hey there mate, so thanx for the great vid yeah! I love how you keep us trained in on the fact that trailer brakes don't go along like vehicle brakes. Your passion for safety is very appreciated right! Never stop, you're a great teacher. :)

[@TheTrailerSmith]

I appreciate your vote of confidence! Thanks as always for watching!

[@nealfryling619]

I don’t know if you read these but…. I bought a new boat and trailer… It’s ez lube so my routine is to pump the trailer every few trips, before long drives and before and after winter… but this time one of them was wet, not soupy, but definitely not dry, now I know to replace all the rubber seals now as well as every year and that from now on I should pump those bearings for new grease every time I use it, until one of them starts to pump out new with too few or two many pumps… So I get to pump my axles every time I use my trailer is probably more accurately “XTRA” lube… But some might argue that there is plenty reason to believe that pumping a bearing every time you trailer, and replacing cap-plugs every year, plus repacking once a year is maybe more laborious and has a higher maintenance cost than a trailer with bearings that you just repack once a year… I honestly didn’t know how EZ Lube was better than the old way… I don’t think its potential benefits are well aligned with my desired overall costs… Thanks for so much honest information!!

[@sdk1076]

Where is a good place to buy your trailer brakes and drums from?

[@TheTrailerSmith]

First, I always like to direct you back to your local options. Look for a good shop that does trailer service or repair and ask if they will sell you the parts you need. You can also try a locally owned auto parts store, but the big chain stores are not likely to carry them. If none of that works out for you, we’ve left some links in the description for them that you can order from Amazon. If the links are not for the sizes you need, you can look around the listing to see if they offer your sizing through that brand. Hope this helps!

[@williammoore2417]

Thank you for the terrific information very good video

[@TheTrailerSmith]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@twincamthom6883]

Any opinions on using an aftermarket hub/drum like a Southwest Wheel?

[@tdkendall]

Can you comment on what you think is the life expectancy of RV trailer brakes/drums, say moderate use? Thanks for your videos-super helpful!

[@TheTrailerSmith]

A good operator with proper preventative maintenance on their trailer should be able to get several years out of their brakes. But if pulling on a daily basis, in the city, or the mountains the life expectancy will decrease. If you haven’t already, we have videos on adjusting trailer brakes and burnishing your brakes that might be helpful as well. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!

[@tdkendall]

Thanks! My RV is 5 years old, not full timer. I used to be able to lock up the brakes but no more. I have adjusted the brakes as specified. Checked the brake controller, OK. Trying to figure out next step. Thanks again

[@Itscrazy2bsane]

Great videos! Quick question: It's my understanding that Dexter is the leader in the trailer axle/brake marketplace. Your link, on this video, takes me to Libra via Amazon, but on another one of your vids, the link takes me to Ecustomrim brakes via Amazon. Do you have a preference for economy 8 on 6.5 7K brakes/Drums compared to Dexter?

[@Chuck-w4c]

How much out of round would you allow? Can’t imagine it’s very much before it starts stressing the shoes and hardware.

[@bubbaredneck75]

how do u tell on a old trailer the capacity of the axles? converting a old camper to flatbed,,,

[@bubbaredneck75]

question sir......im turning a 70s 5th trailer into a big flatbed trailer to haul my small kubota tractor around and am kinda lost when looking at ordering new hubs bearings etc. how do you do it? like ordering right size bearings, wheel hubs to go from the old 4 weird lug to a modern say 5 star rim ? the whole thing needs redone cept for the axles. i use etrailer to get all my parts.

[@rickhamm3962]

Is there away to tell if you have self adjusting brakes by looking at the backing plate. Thanks awesome information.

[@warrenmichael918]

super easy to pull a hub off to check it. You can also inspect it all while it is apart then.

[@TheBuddy1939]

Trout-line weight 😂