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Old 04-07-2015, 04:06 PM   #1
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Trailer Brake Control Setting

Have had brake setting to number 6, which I believe means 40% TT and 60% on the fiver.

What do you folks recommend?

Perhaps it should be 50/50?

Thanks for feedback.
Wanderer
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Old 04-07-2015, 06:05 PM   #2
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Wanderer, there are a lot of different factors. Speed, integrated controller vs aftermarket etc.I have a integrated and ran for the first few trips at 9 out of ten and then backed off to 7. Numbers are reference point as opposed to ratio of TV vs TT/Fiver.
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Old 04-07-2015, 06:36 PM   #3
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Wanderer, there are a lot of different factors. Speed, integrated controller vs aftermarket etc.I have a integrated and ran for the first few trips at 9 out of ten and then backed off to 7. Numbers are reference point as opposed to ratio of TV vs TT/Fiver.
B&B,

Ours is the integrated controller (factory GM).

Six has worked ok with a 7K TT but now we have a 10K fiver, and was concerned with placing to much on the TV vs TT.
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:04 PM   #4
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i also have the factory GM i run mine at 4.5 on my last 2 5vers the wildcat
goes about 11,000 you need to engage it going down the road about 30mph without using the TV brakes to see where you want to set it and what feels comfortable to you
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:24 PM   #5
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i also have the factory GM i run mine at 4.5 on my last 2 5vers the wildcat
goes about 11,000 you need to engage it going down the road about 30mph without using the TV brakes to see where you want to set it and what feels comfortable to you
With my Ram it's factory built in too, I slide the level just like you do at 30 MPH if I feel it slowing me down (not locking up) I'm good. I check it when leaving on every outing. Ended up at 5.0 which works for my comfort zone.
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:59 PM   #6
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trailer brakes should engage first before TV brakes when pressing the brake pedal. This keeps the trailer in a straight line and prevents it from pushing the TV. the ratio of brakes imo should be around 52% trailer and 48 %TV. Your trailer has 4 brakes and it should be able to stop itself and not run over the tow vehicle. The TV should have the ultimate power to stop the whole train, but relying mainly on the TV could burn your TV brakes up to the point of failure.
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Old 04-08-2015, 12:00 AM   #7
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Hello all,
Just retrieved the manual and as others stated here it suggests "testing at 25mph or so and engaging the Trailer Gage control manually to "Adjust the Trailer Gain to just below the point of trailer wheel lock-up."
It also says "Trailer wheel lock-up may not occur if towing a heavily loaded trailer. In this case adjust the Trailer Gain to the highest allowable setting for the towing condition." I have executed the manual engagement at low speed to test TT brake function and at 6 setting there was good slow down of the rig but no lock up.
Thanks to all for your feedback, it is very much appreciated.
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Old 04-08-2015, 04:55 AM   #8
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With my Ram it's factory built in too, I slide the level just like you do at 30 MPH if I feel it slowing me down (not locking up) I'm good. I check it when leaving on every outing. Ended up at 5.0 which works for my comfort zone.
Just about the same here on our 13 Ram 1500...5 to 5.5 seems to be the sweet spot.
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Old 04-08-2015, 08:47 AM   #9
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I have a Ford integrated controller and have it set at 7 for my 27RLWS
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Old 04-08-2015, 09:19 AM   #10
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"Warning of Trailer Brake Adjustments"

I just found out this week when e-mailed a manual on Lippert axles and brakes that my trailer brakes adjust themselves tighter each time that the brakes are applied MOVING FORWARD.

So, all of your adjustment numbers are thrown out the window, if you do not back off or self adjust to loosen the brakes at the hubs every three months or so. Watch out for this hazard of too tight brakes....

this is just an example of another thing that my selling dealer did not let me know about. Forward stopping self adjusting brakes.

Forward Self-Adjusting Brakes
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Old 04-08-2015, 12:08 PM   #11
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Does Dexter axles have this forward self-adjusting brakes?
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Old 04-08-2015, 12:45 PM   #12
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These seems to be a misconception of self-adjusting breaks.


The self-adjusting breaks will adjust only when the break shoe has worn enough to require an adjustment. They will not over adjust and require periodic backing off.
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Old 04-08-2015, 12:57 PM   #13
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These seems to be a misconception of self-adjusting breaks.


The self-adjusting breaks will adjust only when the break shoe has worn enough to require an adjustment. They will not over adjust and require periodic backing off.
Correct.

Most are not self adjusting.

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Old 04-08-2015, 01:10 PM   #14
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Correct.

Most are not self adjusting.

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My unit have these self adjusting brakes and they do just that. I have no idea when these were started to be installed on campers. Nor do it I care. I am only looking at my unit and to make others aware that they are out there. When I had new bearings put on my unit, the RV Tech had to back off three brakes as the tires were difficult to turn by hand when spinning the tire. Good thing/bad thing with forward adjusting brakes may still need to be seen in the future. All vehicles that have adjusting brakes 'when backing up' can, with hard braking, ratchet the brakes up tighter than they should be, ill-respect of pad wear. So this is very possible and even more likely that hard braking moving forward with the Lippert forward braking adjustment system would and does do that.

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Old 04-08-2015, 02:05 PM   #15
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Self Adjusting Brakes

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Originally Posted by Brother Les View Post
My unit have these self adjusting brakes and they do just that. I have no idea when these were started to be installed on campers. Nor do it I care. I am only looking at my unit and to make others aware that they are out there. When I had new bearings put on my unit, the RV Tech had to back off three brakes as the tires were difficult to turn by hand when spinning the tire. Good thing/bad thing with forward adjusting brakes may still need to be seen in the future. All vehicles that have adjusting brakes 'when backing up' can, with hard braking, ratchet the brakes up tighter than they should be, ill-respect of pad wear. So this is very possible and even more likely that hard braking moving forward with the Lippert forward braking adjustment system would and does do that.

Blessings
Thanks for this information. It explains a lot about what's been going on with our TT. Seems like I've had to re-adjust my controller every time I hook up and go. They tend to grab when I test at 25 MPG even though I haven't changed the settings from one outing to the next. Several times during our travels, I've had to either back off, or increase the voltage, as well as the F1-F3 settings depending on road conditions and grades. I'll have our dealer check these brakes and wondering now if I can disconnect this system, or live with it.
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:11 PM   #16
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Thanks for this information. It explains a lot about what's been going on with our TT. Seems like I've had to re-adjust my controller every time I hook up and go. They tend to grab when I test at 25 MPG even though I haven't changed the settings from one outing to the next. Several times during our travels, I've had to either back off, or increase the voltage, as well as the F1-F3 settings depending on road conditions and grades. I'll have our dealer check these brakes and wondering now if I can disconnect this system, or live with it.
Disconnect what system?

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Old 04-08-2015, 02:11 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by gfarmcafe View Post
Thanks for this information. It explains a lot about what's been going on with our TT. Seems like I've had to re-adjust my controller every time I hook up and go. They tend to grab when I test at 25 MPG even though I haven't changed the settings from one outing to the next. Several times during our travels, I've had to either back off, or increase the voltage, as well as the F1-F3 settings depending on road conditions and grades. I'll have our dealer check these brakes and wondering now if I can disconnect this system, or live with it.

If you plan on owning your unit for a few or many years, learn your brake system so that you can adjust them your self. If you know your Dealer well enough and you have the time, watch him (or the RV Tech) work on your unit and do the adjustments. I would also suggest having all of your wheel bearing replaced and the spindle nut tightened to specs. The system is your trailer brakes and you need these. This is assuming that your trailer has these self adjusting brakes, the standard trailer brakes are still being used and are available to change 'back to' a standard style if you want. It may be as easy as removing the adjustment cable, I don't know as I have not looked over the system very well, but will very soon.
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:50 PM   #18
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Self Adjusting Brakes

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If you plan on owning your unit for a few or many years, learn your brake system so that you can adjust them your self. If you know your Dealer well enough and you have the time, watch him (or the RV Tech) work on your unit and do the adjustments. I would also suggest having all of your wheel bearing replaced and the spindle nut tightened to specs. The system is your trailer brakes and you need these. This is assuming that your trailer has these self adjusting brakes, the standard trailer brakes are still being used and are available to change 'back to' a standard style if you want. It may be as easy as removing the adjustment cable, I don't know as I have not looked over the system very well, but will very soon.
It's a 2015 Cruise Lite 241QB and I'll have our dealer check and adjust. I'm a good "shade tree mechanic" but I don't mess with brakes on any of my vehicles. Just too important. Sounds like I may have to just live with them. They aren't that bad. The wheel bearings were recently checked and repacked. Thanks for the information!!
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:54 PM   #19
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It's a 2015 Cruise Lite 241QB and I'll have our dealer check and adjust. I'm a good "shade tree mechanic" but I don't mess with brakes on any of my vehicles. Just too important. Sounds like I may have to just live with them. They aren't that bad. The wheel bearings were recently checked and repacked. Thanks for the information!!
When you get familiar with them, you can work on them.
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:54 PM   #20
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You said the same way i would have tekonsha says you should be able to slide the trl wheels at 25mph
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