In this guide, we’ll walk you through the Lippert-certified process for burnishing your brakes and getting them ready to work at their best. So, let’s dive in!
Why Do You Need to Burnish Your Brakes?
Brake burnishing is the process of gradually seating the new brake pads to the brake drums, ensuring full contact for optimal braking performance. Without burnishing, your brake pads may not make full contact with the drum, resulting in reduced braking efficiency and potential safety issues while towing. Burnishing also helps prevent premature wear and uneven braking, ensuring a smoother ride.
Step 1: The Standard Burnishing Procedure
The first burnishing method requires more time but is the most common approach. Here’s how to do it:
- Find a Suitable Road: Select a low-traffic road, such as a frontage road or side street. You’ll need plenty of space to safely apply your brakes and allow the trailer to slow down.
- Set the Trailer Brake Gain: Ensure that your trailer brake gain is set to its highest level. This will allow you to apply enough braking force for the burnishing process.
- Accelerate to 40 mph: Get up to a speed of around 40 mph. Keep your vehicle’s brakes out of the equation during this process—only use the trailer’s brakes.
- Apply Trailer Brakes: Using only the trailer brake controller, apply the brakes and slow the trailer down to around 20 mph.
- Repeat the Process: Accelerate back to 40 mph and apply the trailer brakes again. Repeat this process at least 20 times. The more repetitions, the better the brake pads will seat to the drums.
- Inspect Your Brakes: After completing the burnishing process, pull over and visually inspect your brakes. They should be HOT to the touch, and you might even see smoke rising from the brake area, which is a good sign that the burnishing process is working. The brake temperature should range between 350-400°F. If you want to be extra precise, use an infrared temperature gun to check the hub temperatures.
- Troubleshooting: If your brakes aren’t getting hot, it could indicate a wiring issue, and you should inspect the brake system further.
Step 2: The Quick Burnishing Method
If you’re looking for a faster way to burnish your brakes, the second method involves a bit more skill and finesse. Here's how to do it:
- Find a Low-Traffic Road: Once again, choose a quiet road where you can safely perform the process.
- Accelerate to 60-70 mph: This method requires driving at a higher speed of about 60-70 mph. Apply the trailer brakes while maintaining this speed.
- Maintain Speed: As you apply the trailer brakes, you’ll need to apply some throttle to maintain your speed. This creates additional friction, speeding up the burnishing process.
- Do This for Half a Mile: Keep applying the trailer brakes for approximately half a mile. Make sure the brakes don’t lock up during this process. If they do, ease off slightly to avoid damaging the brake system.
- Inspect Your Brakes: After completing the burnishing session, pull over and check the temperature of your brakes. Again, they should be hot, indicating that the process is working.
Final Thoughts
Burnishing your Lippert trailer brakes is a vital part of maintaining safe towing practices and ensuring your brakes perform at their best. While the standard burnishing method may take a bit of time, it’s the most thorough approach. If you’re in a hurry, the quick method can speed up the process but requires more skill to do safely.
Remember, the key signs that your brakes are properly burnished include hot brake temperatures and a smooth braking feel. If you have any questions or run into issues during the process, don’t hesitate to contact us for help!
Ready to Hit the Road with Confidence?
Now that you’ve properly burnished your Lippert brakes, you can enjoy safer, smoother towing. Whether you’re hauling your camper, boat, or another trailer, you’ll know your brakes are in top condition. Safe travels!