I recently added electric brakes (7") to my TD #1. I have a question on setting the drag on the brake drums.
Instructions I have come across vary. One which seemed to make sense was to jack the wheel off the ground. Adjust with little to no drag of the pads on the drums. Then adjust until you have enough drag to stop the wheel from freewheeling after a spin. Theoretically, this sets the pads at the right place to give braking assist. I've done this twice with each wheel, increasing the brake pad drag on the drum each time. I can still turn the wheel by hand and have contact between pad and drum. Pads contact drum for the full turn of the wheel. After vehicle testing with a quick stop from 25 mph I hear the pads engage but I don't notice braking even with the controller (Curt Tri-flex) dialed up to maximum (9.9). I have no experience with brakes so I'm not sure it is enough assist
The other extreme of instructions (which I haven't tried) is to adjust the pads/drums to the point where I could not turn the wheel by hand. Then, when pulling they suggest adjusting the controller until I get brake lock-up. Then turn controller down until I am just short of brakes locking up. Seems kind of extreme. I just want the brakes to assist and keep the trailer in a straight line when hitting the brakes hard, correct? Any suggestions on how I can "feel" that the brakes are assisting?