How to identify trailer brake shoes!

Identifying your trailer brake shoes is easy when you know what to look for!

Brake shoes are a vital part of every braked trailer. In the UK every trailer that has a gross weight of over 750kg requires brakes by law! Good trailer brake shoes are essential for safe operation of a braked trailer.

This guide will show you how to easily identify the make and size of the brake shoes your trailer needs.

AL-KO VS. Knott Brake shoes.

The easiest way to identify brake shoes is by looking at a few key features.

AL-KO Brake Shoes

AL-KO brake shoes typically look like this. But can easily be confused for BPW brake shoes.

Genuine AL-KO brake shoes usually have branding/ the name stamped into the brake shoes.

Knott Brake Shoes

Knott brake shoes typically look like this.

Genuine Knott brake shoes usually have branding/ the name stamped into the brake shoes.

Identifying AL-KO brakes using the adjuster

AL-KO brake shoes can be identifyed by looking in the drum for the "cog" style adjuster. This can also be seen through an inspection hole on the back plate.

Identifying Knott Brakes with the adjuster

Knott Brake shoes can be identifyed by looking at the bottom of the back plate. If you see a bolt sticking out of the back plate, this is a Knott Adjuster.

How to measure a trailer brake shoe

Measuring brake shoe width

Measuring the width of a trailer brake shoe is easy. Simply take a tape measure and place it across the face of the shoe. This will give you the measurement of the shoe.

All brake shoe measurments are in millimeters (mm)

The most common brake shoe widths are 35mm, 40mm, 50mm & 60mm.

Measuring brake shoe diameter

Measuring the brake shoe diameter is easy. Simply measure internally from one side of the brake drum to the other.