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05-08-2021, 10:17 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Trailer: 19 Escape, arrived March 2021
Posts: 124
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Adjusting trailer brakes
A month ago we got our new Escape 19 and since then have driven approximately 500 miles with it in tow. I thought I should adjust the brakes so reviewed various YouTube videos. Looks quite straight forward.
After jacking up the trailer and crawling underneath, my trailer does not seem to have the same setup I saw in the videos. There isn’t a plastic cap to remove to access a manual adjust turn wheel. There are two slots, neither covered.
Is it possible that Escape is now using the Dexter Never Adjust brakes? Are my hubs, with two adjacent and uncovered slots indicative a the Never Adjust brakes?
I never adjusted the brakes on our old Casita. I had it serviced at our local trailer shop. I want to be more self sufficient now.
TIA
R.
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05-08-2021, 10:50 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Trailer: 2021 21C
Posts: 65
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It seems that Dexter no longer installs the caps. The adjuster is reached through one of the oval holes you saw. If you have never adjusted manual brakes before it takes some learning and a bit of finesse to get them properly adjusted. If you can get someone with experience to help you do it the first time it will be much easier.
__________________
Don
2021 21C "Travels with Karma"
GMC Canyon Denali Turbodiesel Long-bed
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05-08-2021, 10:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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For some reason, Dexter does not ship axles to ETI with plugs, nor does ETI plug the access ports. On the E19, there are a total of 8, two per wheel. The only reason I can assume that Dexter has two per brake is that way Dexter does not need to manufacture separate left and right side brake mounting plates. Hence one of the access holes per brake is redundant since it does not align with the adjustment mechanism. On my 2017 E19, I purchased 8 aftermarket standard drum brake plugs. Just get yourself a brake tool like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
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05-08-2021, 11:16 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Lawrence, Kansas
Trailer: 19 Escape, arrived March 2021
Posts: 124
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Thanks for the input. I figured it out. I wasn't expecting 2 oval access holes, but of course it makes sense that Dexter uses the same shell for both left and right drum. I'll pick up some plugs at our local trailer shop.
I've adjusted the brakes for a slight bit of audible noise and drag from rotation. Based on You Tube videos, that seems about right.
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05-08-2021, 11:48 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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Adjustment seems correct from your description. The brake plate holes on my E19 were the same size as most vehicles. Hence, Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. will have the plugs you need.
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05-08-2021, 03:11 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Plugs
Quote:
Originally Posted by MVA
Adjustment seems correct from your description. The brake plate holes on my E19 were the same size as most vehicles. Hence, Autozone, O'Reilly, etc. will have the plugs you need.
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At my Dexter Dealer, Midwest Wheel in the big town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the plugs are Dexter Part number DX046-007-00 and they cost $.37 each.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
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05-08-2021, 08:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Redmond, Washington
Trailer: 2015 E19'
Posts: 311
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A couple of layers of good old duct tape stays nicely in place from one bearing repack / brake adjustment to the next. Just clean the crud off your backing plates and slap it on. Save yourself a buck-n-a-half.
Duct Tape Dave
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