2nd trip done, two questions. Brakes and TV

[Bowhnter]

We just finished our 2nd trip, 4.5 hours to the Fort Smith, AR area. Besides having to tear down in the rain, everything went pretty well. Found a small leak to add to my warranty list.

My questions are:

My trailer brakes work fine going at a good speed, but when I am entering into a gas station or very slow to a stop light and need to tap on them, they lock up. I don't think I want them any less aggressive at higher speeds...is this normal? Suggestions?

2nd...route 69 through OK tore me up. It has to be one of the worst roads in the U.S. The bouncing and up and down movement is rediculous.
So my question is, would a different TV make a big difference, or is it normal due the poor road? My TV is in my signature.

Thanks for any feedback or advice

[Computer Nerd]

What is your brake controller gain set at? My gut reaction is that you have the gain adjusted a little high on your brake controller.


Computer Nerd
2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax
2016 Sandpiper 35ROK

[RSchleder]

I agree, back your brakes off a bit. The trailer brakes are supposed to provide the stopping power for the trailer. Many people set them up to not only stop the trailer but also help slow/stop the tow vehicle. This is wrong!
Changing your tow vehicle will not smooth out the road, or the way your trailer takes the nasty bumps on poor roads. It is what it is!!!

[Bowhnter]

Ahh, the brake controller is new to me. I see the fine tuning knob now and will adjust lower next time out. Thanks

[Bowhnter]

Originally Posted by RSchleder

Changing your tow vehicle will not smooth out the road, or the way your trailer takes the nasty bumps on poor roads. It is what it is!!!

That's what I wanted to hear! Thanks. I guess I just need to get used to it.

[rockfordroo]

My Prodigy 3 brake controller instructions said to start with the boost fairly low, then drive about 25 mph and step fairly hard on the brakes. Turn up the boost in small increments doing this until the wheels just lock up when you step on the brake.

[conceptumator]

Sounds normal to me. I always set mine to max when on the highway, then turn them down (sometimes all the way down) when on side streets, drives, etc.

[Sgt. Schultz]

For the trailer brake part - it sounds like a time delay controller rather than a proportional brake controller:

A time-delayed brake controller activates the trailer's brakes with a preset intensity (power output) and rate of application (sync), both of which are determined by you. With this type of controller, there is a delay between the time that you initially apply the brakes in your tow vehicle and the time that the controller reaches maximum power output to the trailer's brakes. However, this delay can be adjusted with the sync setting.

See the following for descriptions:
Trailer Brake Controller Information | etrailer.com
or
Understanding Trailer Brake Controls

[purduepete97]

Just a thought on the chucking/porpoising/bouncing - it is really hard to tell from your avatar pic, but make sure your TT is oriented nose down by a couple of inches. Nose high or even level has seemed to make this worse for me.

I have also tried Timbrens and airbags to help with this. The only thing that has made a significant and sustained improvement was moving up to a 3/4 ton truck. I still get it on certain roads (concrete with crazy wide and perfectly spaced expansion joints), but way less than before with a 1/2 ton truck.

Hope this is useful info and good luck!

Brian

[Bowhnter]

Originally Posted by purduepete97

The only thing that has made a significant and sustained improvement was moving up to a 3/4 ton truck. I still get it on certain roads (concrete with crazy wide and perfectly spaced expansion joints), but way less than before with a 1/2 ton truck.


Brian

Brian, I think my nose is sitting OK. I was afraid of my truck being too light. I am sure someday I will need to move up, but I will wait for my wife to make that suggestion ;-) since she has mentioned it already!

Thanks Sgt Schulz, I do have a Tekonsha Proportional. Maybe I need some adjustments now that I have driven it 7-800 miles.

[aceinspp]

It's kind of you have to just put up with poor road conditions. No truck is going to help smooth the road out. I have a 3/4 ton and man some of the roads I traveled over where awful. No wonder campers are falling apart. Surprise I did not blow tires. I did slow down tho. Later RJD

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

My Prodigy 3 brake controller instructions said to start with the boost fairly low, then drive about 25 mph and step fairly hard on the brakes. Turn up the boost in small increments doing this until the wheels just lock up when you step on the brake.

You are saying "boost", but I think you mean "voltage" or perhaps "gain".
The Tekonsha Prodigy, P2, or P3 have a "boost" feature, which allows you to provide a certain amount of initial braking to "lead" the braking event, regardless of how much deceleration is detected.

The 25mph warm up stops for voltage adjustment is not done with the boost settings. It's done with the voltage/gain dial.

[Sgt. Schultz]

This may offer some clues for tuning the brake controller:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lrnRV4u5-g

For the bounce perhaps firmer shocks on the truck may help - we use MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: e-Catalog which seem to tame the ride a fair bit

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

You are saying "boost", but I think you mean "voltage" or perhaps "gain".
The Tekonsha Prodigy, P2, or P3 have a "boost" feature, which allows you to provide a certain amount of initial braking to "lead" the braking event, regardless of how much deceleration is detected.

The 25mph warm up stops for voltage adjustment is not done with the boost settings. It's done with the voltage/gain dial.

Yeah, meant power, not boost, per the instructions.