Most travel trailers and fifth wheels towed around Buford and Lake Lanier run electric brakes on one or both axles, and those systems depend on a chain of parts - brake magnets, controller output, wiring and grounds - that all have to work together. When one link fails, you feel it as a trailer that doesn't slow down with the tow vehicle, a brake controller reading an error, or a burning smell after a long pull down from Blue Ridge.
Tristan handles trailer brake systems: magnets, brake assemblies, wiring, breakaway switches and controller setup. This is towable-side work, separate from any engine or drivetrain system on a motorhome, and it's some of the most safety-critical work he does because a trailer that isn't braking evenly is a hazard on the interstate, not just an inconvenience.
He'll come to wherever the trailer is parked - a driveway in Decatur, a storage yard near Clermont, or hitched up and ready to go at a campsite - and run the brakes through their full range before signing off on the repair.
Signs you need brake repair
- Trailer brakes feel weak or nonexistent when the controller is applied
- Trailer pulls to one side under braking
- Brake controller shows a fault, error code or 'no connection' message
- Burning smell or smoke from a wheel after towing
- Grinding or scraping noise from the brake assembly
- Breakaway switch cable missing, frayed or not connected
- Uneven brake wear between axles or side to side
What Tristan does
Electrical & controller diagnosis
Tristan starts at the tow vehicle's brake controller and traces the circuit back through the plug, wiring harness and grounds to each wheel, since a huge share of 'bad brake' complaints turn out to be a corroded ground or a damaged wire rather than a worn magnet.
Magnet & brake assembly service
Worn or glazed brake magnets, shoes and drums get inspected and replaced as needed, with attention to matching output across both sides of an axle so the trailer doesn't pull under braking.
Breakaway switch & battery check
The breakaway system only works if its battery is charged and the switch is actually wired to trigger full braking if the trailer separates from the tow vehicle. Tristan tests this system rather than assuming it works because it's rarely used.
Adjustment & road test
After repairs, he adjusts brake shoe clearance and verifies controller output with a test tow, checking that both axles engage evenly before calling the job done.
Why mobile beats hauling it to a dealer
Brake problems tend to get discovered right before a trip - the night before a Lake Lanier weekend, or the morning of a haul out to Road Atlanta in Braselton - and towing a trailer with bad brakes to a shop is the last thing you want to do. Tristan comes to the trailer instead, so the fix happens before it ever has to move on brakes you're not sure about.
Storage lots are another common spot for this. A trailer that's sat for months near Cleveland or Murrayville often has corroded wiring or a dead breakaway battery that nobody notices until hookup day. A mobile visit catches it at the lot, before the trailer is back on the road.
Relevant training
- Certificate in all-around RV repair
Questions we get asked
- Do you work on hydraulic surge brakes too, or just electric?
- Most of the trailers Tristan services run electric brakes, which is his main focus, but bring up your specific setup when you call and he can tell you whether it's a fit.
- Can you fix a brake controller error without seeing the trailer at a shop?
- Yes, that's exactly the kind of job suited to a mobile visit - he traces the wiring and connections right at the tow vehicle and trailer rather than needing a shop bay.
- How often should trailer brakes be checked?
- There's no invented schedule here - it depends on towing frequency and storage conditions, but a trailer that's been sitting for a season or is about to go on a long haul is a good time to have the system checked.
- Do you also work on motorhome brakes?
- No - motorhome brake systems are part of the chassis and drivetrain, which Tristan doesn't service. He focuses on towable trailer and fifth wheel brake systems.
Areas we serve for this service
Cities & areas
Related services
RV & Trailer Suspension Repair
Leaf spring, equalizer and axle alignment repair for travel trailers and fifth wheels, done wherever your rig is parked.
Wheel Bearing Repacks
Trailer wheel bearing inspection, cleaning, repacking and replacement done at your driveway before a long tow.
Trailer Chassis Repair (towables)
Frame, suspension, and hitch component repair for towable travel trailers and fifth wheels.