Ford F-150 trailer brake

[babock]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

The difference in brake controllers.

When I switched from my Dodge Ram with aftermarket under-dash brake controller to the Chevy with integrated brake controller, there was a great big difference in braking on the very same trailer.

He's talking about adjusting the brake shoes!

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Did you have them adjusted with the truck you have now?

Or did you have the old truck when you had them adjusted?

They did not have my truck when they packed the bearings and checked the brakes. I just dropped the trailer off and picked it up at the end of the day.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

I guess I can assume that the service center I took it to, that specializes in tires and brakes, would have properly adjusted them when I had specifically asked them to check the brakes.

You said "ASSUME"! You should never assume that they checked that.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

They did not have my truck when they packed the bearings and checked the brakes. I just dropped the trailer off and picked it up at the end of the day.

I asked that because you mentioned an after-market under dash brake controller.

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I asked that because you mentioned an after-market under dash brake controller.

That wasn’t me. I have the F150 with integrated brake controller

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

That wasn’t me. I have the F150 with integrated brake controller

I was directing that also toward the OP...

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I was directing that also toward the OP...

Sorry. Your post quoted me.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

What do you mean by “adjusting the brakes”? I had my trailer into a service center last year to have the bearings repacked and the tires and brakes checked. They said everything looked fine but never said any about adjusting the brakes.

GLB, it is very likely that the service center adjusted the brakes for you. In order to pack the bearings* they have to loosen (unadjust) the brakes to remove the brake drums. Once the bearings are packed and reinstalled, they MUST readjust the brakes or they will be too loose to function properly.

*This assumes an EZLube system was not used. Even if your trailer had EZLube capability, no reputable shop would use it. They would remove the drums as above.

(I always do these little jobs myself, so I know how they are done.)

Larry

[Oafdawg]

Originally Posted by Plan Man

I have the factory installed trailer brake on my f150. Even at highest setting I feel very little braking on my 4000 pond travel trailer. How do I increase the sensitivity on the brakes on the trailer?

Read your manual on how to adjust the brake control. There's a setting on trailer options so you can set the brake control to light, medium, or heavy.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Read your manual on how to adjust the brake control. There's a setting on trailer options so you can set the brake control to light, medium, or heavy.

If he feels very little braking, the light, medium and heavy won't matter. Trailer brakes need adjusting or there is another issue. In addition, if you can't brake with the manual lever, it's not the controller setting.

[Plan Man]

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Read your manual on how to adjust the brake control. There's a setting on trailer options so you can set the brake control to light, medium, or heavy.

Before I read your post I figured this out and this is correct. I had the setting on medium and had very little braking. As soon as I set it to heavy sensitivity it worked as expected. I am able to put it at about 6.5

Thanks for the help. BTW. My previous post says “texting” my phone self corrected I meant testing.

[babock]

Did you not try the manual lever to see how the brakes worked?

[Plan Man]

Originally Posted by babock

Did you not try the manual lever to see how the brakes worked?

Yes. I started at about 8 and worked down to 6.5. The brake controller is working great. I bought a new f150 with the trailer back up assist and brake controller along with many other features. So fAr I love it. This will be our first big trip using it withe the camper.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Plan Man

Yes. I started at about 8 and worked down to 6.5. The brake controller is working great. I bought a new f150 with the trailer back up assist and brake controller along with many other features. So fAr I love it. This will be our first big trip using it withe the camper.

The manual lever overrrides the settings low, medium and high within the brake controller settings. I have a 2018 F-150 as well. Love the brake controller. The backup assist is pretty much useless except for when backing up a long distance or backing up my utility trailer.

[MikeBrowning]

Originally Posted by Plan Man

I have the factory installed trailer brake on my f150. Even at highest setting I feel very little braking on my 4000 pond travel trailer. How do I increase the sensitivity on the brakes on the trailer?

What year is your F150? Most newer Fords have speed relative braking. The factory integrated brake controller will not lock up at low speeds but it will apply plenty pressure when needed. Remember to use Tow/Haul feature and engine braking is utilized also.

[howellma]

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Read your manual on how to adjust the brake control. There's a setting on trailer options so you can set the brake control to light, medium, or heavy.

Sure enough, my manual says the same thing. I will go look at the displays tomorrow, something else I didn't know about this truck.
Thanks!

[snoopy216]

I had the same problem with my TT and all had to do is adjust all four wheel brakes. This fixed the problem but you should readjust them in a month or so and every year after that

[wabakami]

Originally Posted by bikendan

You said "ASSUME"! You should never assume that they checked that.

X2

Remember what assume stands for!


Geoff
.