Brake Adjustment?

[Illini Trekker]

I still have manual adjusting brakes on the camper. I like to set the brakes so when I spin a tire the tire stops before one revolution. Is that what I should do, any further advice or better way to set a manual brake?

[H. John Kohl]

I was taught to tighten them to that point and then back off one more click so they spun free.

If they stop in one revolution then you are wearing some pad down until they rotate free.

Just what I learned a long time ago.

[sola123]

Thas the way we adjust our brakes as well...we also use a laser thermometer to check the rim temps when we stop at a campgrd, etc after a few hours on the road...any major temp difference of 10-15 degrees or more I think you should check them all and I usually need to readjust the one with the high temp...they generally run within 5 degrees of each other if adjusted evenly..

[kramperD]

Same as JK

[bobsals]

Seems too tight to me. I have always tightened the adjuster till the wheel can't be turned by hand any more, then back off the adjustment several clicks until the wheel turns free with minor scraping of the shoes. If you stop at a rest area (with minimal braking) to check your temperature with an infra-red thermometer, it should be 120 - 150 degrees and all wheels within about 20 degrees of each other IMHO. For times that I did not have the thermometer, just passed the back of my hand in front of the wheel. If it's too hot, you will feel the heat hitting the back of your hand.

[8.1al]

The method bobsals uses is recommended by Dexter, tightening till the wheel won't turn insures that the shoes are properly located

[Illini Trekker]

Thanks guys I'll do has Dexter says, but I'm going with a little shoe rub and will watch the temps with the thermo gun.