Braking System

[Dezarae]

Hello, I recently purchased a 2017 Salem by Forest River Cruise Lite 195RB. I’m having a hard time finding information on the type of braking system. I’m towing with a 2015 Dodge Durango RT. I have the tow package and electric brake system. Someone told me the the braking system on the trailer needs to either be pulsing or electric as well, otherwise by brakes on the dodge will wear out fast. Can someone shed some light on this. Thank you for the help.

[uhduh camping]

You will have electric brakes on your unit. You can see it for yourself if you look behind trailer tire. You will see a wire going into hub assembly most likely a blue wire.

[Dezarae]

Originally Posted by uhduh camping

You will have electric brakes on your unit. You can see it for yourself if you look behind trailer tire. You will see a wire going into hub assembly most likely a blue wire.

Thank you so much. Do you know if I need to manually adjust anything on the trailer?

[russhd1997]

Originally Posted by Dezarae

Thank you so much. Do you know if I need to manually adjust anything on the trailer?

You won't need to adjust anything on the trailer. You will have to adjust the "gain" on your electric trailer brake controller. You adjust that while you are towing. When it is properly adjusted the trailer shouldn't be pushing or pulling your tow vehicle when braking.

[AZ Pete]

The instructions for adjusting the brake controller should be followed. If adjusting the controller does not give the desired results, the brake shoes on the trailer axle should be checked and adjusted.

[MillMitch]

Originally Posted by russhd1997

You won't need to adjust anything on the trailer. You will have to adjust the "gain" on your electric trailer brake controller. You adjust that while you are towing. When it is properly adjusted the trailer shouldn't be pushing or pulling your tow vehicle when braking.

I was under the impression that the electric trailer brakes were non-self adjusting from the factory? Which means they occasionally need to be adjusted. My TT manual is in the trailer in storage, but don't new trailers need brakes adjusted at 500 miles?
Sorry, we just bought our first TT in Oct, and I've read so much online and in this forum that it sometimes blends together.

[Flybob]

The brakes will need to be checked/adjusted periodically as they will wear. Most TT have drum brakes which adjust the same way non self-adjusting brakes worked on older vehicles with a star wheel behind a small rubber plug on the bottom inside of the wheel assembly.
Here is a quick example.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-40801.html

[llr]

Some TT electric brakes are self adjusting. My TT has them, still undecided on how well they work. When I picked up my TT last year they were too far out to grab and self adjust.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by llr

Some TT electric brakes are self adjusting. My TT has them, still undecided on how well they work. When I picked up my TT last year they were too far out to grab and self adjust.

That brings to question how self adjusting brakes work on a trailer? Older cars and trucks needed to be backed up then firmly apply the brakes. Is this the same for trailers?

[goduc]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

That brings to question how self adjusting brakes work on a trailer? Older cars and trucks needed to be backed up then firmly apply the brakes. Is this the same for trailers?

Per Lippert;


Brake auto-set corrects clearance during every stop.

[Scrapper]

So the brake magnet rotates on the bracket to set adjustment?

[goduc]

https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html

[russhd1997]

Originally Posted by MillMitch

I was under the impression that the electric trailer brakes were non-self adjusting from the factory? Which means they occasionally need to be adjusted. My TT manual is in the trailer in storage, but don't new trailers need brakes adjusted at 500 miles?
Sorry, we just bought our first TT in Oct, and I've read so much online and in this forum that it sometimes blends together.

With my reply to the OP I was assuming that the brakes on his new TT were properly adjusted and that he was asking how to keep from wearing out the brakes on his TV. If he has Lippert axles like my my TT does his TT brakes are self adjusting. The way to control how much the TT brakes is by adjusting the gain on the controller in the TV.

[thebrakeman]

Your Durango does not have an "electric brake system". You may or may not have wiring for electric brakes, but you will need to add an electric brake controller.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Your Durango does not have an "electric brake system". You may or may not have wiring for electric brakes, but you will need to add an electric brake controller.

I never thought about that, but I suspect you are right. I should have remembered when my DW had a Durango with the tow package, the wires and 7-pin socket were there, but it needed a brake controller installed. She even had the 7-pin to 4-pin adapter in the glove box when she bought it new.

[thebrakeman]

Right. Some new tow vehicles can be optioned with an integrated brake controller, but so far, those are limited to pickup trucks, and some larger SUVs (Expedition, etc).

[russhd1997]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Right. Some new tow vehicles can be optioned with an integrated brake controller, but so far, those are limited to pickup trucks, and some larger SUVs (Expedition, etc).

That was one of the options that I made sure that I got when I got my new truck.