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Old 03-12-2017, 10:36 PM   #1
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Rockwood 2306 Brakes not locking up

I just picked up a Rockford 2306 this Saturday, the weather was poring rain and the roads were slick. I have Nissan Titan with a Tekonsha P3 brake controller. As I am dialing in the amount of force the brake controller will deliver I was really surprised that I can max out the brake controller on setting 14, and manually giving it 100% the trailer is not locking up, even in the rain! I can feel it braking strong and is not hazardous to drive, but I have always being able to lock up trailers, even when loaded, the reduce the amount a tad. Can anyone shed any light on this based on your own experience?
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Old 03-12-2017, 10:46 PM   #2
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If it's used, the brakes may need to be adjusted.
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Old 03-12-2017, 10:47 PM   #3
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2017 Brand new
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Old 03-13-2017, 05:58 AM   #4
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Mine improved as they wore in a bit. Next couple times out were stronger.
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Old 03-13-2017, 11:38 AM   #5
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In the old days, we used to arc the shoes, by machine, to fit the drum
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Old 03-13-2017, 12:04 PM   #6
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Even new, the brakes may still need to be adjusted
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Old 03-13-2017, 12:04 PM   #7
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The Dexter manual will tell you how to "burish " (Barack in) the brakes, adj before and after .
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Old 03-13-2017, 12:08 PM   #8
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I have a 2016 Roo 183, that I purchased new in the spring of 2015. I use a P2 brake controller. I also have never been able to get the brakes to lock up on the highest setting, but they do seem to grab fairly hard.

I have tested the brake controller voltage and verified proper adjustment of the trailer brakes. A friend of mine also used his truck and brake controller with my trailer and had the same result. While troubleshooting, I also pulled the break-away brake cable and the brakes did not seem to grab any harder (I was still able to pull the trailer),but they do engage hard enough to stop the whole setup as long as I'm not hitting the gas.

When I first installed the brake controller in 2015, I talked to both the selling dealer and Prodigy customer service. Both of them told me that it seems everything is working properly. But, after experiencing it for almost two years and hearing feedback from other owners, I have decided to take it to a service center to get it checked out. That was supposed to be today, but we're experiencing a late snowfall so I decided to wait.
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Old 03-13-2017, 12:16 PM   #9
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I have heard that it could be a bad ground connection on the trailer (limiting current draw), but I haven't had a chance to check into that further. I guess it's possible that excess paint or something is causing a poor ground connection.
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Old 03-13-2017, 01:20 PM   #10
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one would think locking the brakes would be a very bad thing. I am not sure that they are even supposed to lock. .

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Old 03-13-2017, 01:20 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by ebcobra93 View Post
I have heard that it could be a bad ground connection on the trailer (limiting current draw), but I haven't had a chance to check into that further. I guess it's possible that excess paint or something is causing a poor ground connection.
The ground wires often just have ring connectors on the ends and get screwed to the frame. So they are out in the weather and can corrode. But I wouldn't expect that on a new unit.

I also wouldn't expect paint to be a problem, since the screw should be in contact with clean metal inside the frame, but you never know.

For what it' worth, my Roo 19 would lock up with a P3 on both a Traverse and a Silverado 1500. But my Mini Lite 2503S won't lock up, with either the P3/Silvarado 1500 or my Silverado 2500HD with integrated brake controller.
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Old 03-13-2017, 01:35 PM   #12
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one would think locking the brakes would be a very bad thing. I am not sure that they are even supposed to lock. .

Tim
When adjusting the brake controller, you're supposed to dial it up until the brakes begin to lock up (when manually engaging the brakes using the controller lever) and then back the setting down.

It's just for initial calibration. You don't want them locking up during normal operation.
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Old 03-13-2017, 01:41 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
For what it' worth, my Roo 19 would lock up with a P3 on both a Traverse and a Silverado 1500. But my Mini Lite 2503S won't lock up, with either the P3/Silvarado 1500 or my Silverado 2500HD with integrated brake controller.
Do you feel that the brakes on your 2503S are working as they're supposed to or do they feel like they should grab harder than they do? Also, do you have your brake controller set on the highest setting?

It's very possible that my brakes are working as they should, but I feel like they should have more stopping power.
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Old 03-13-2017, 01:51 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by ebcobra93 View Post
Do you feel that the brakes on your 2503S are working as they're supposed to or do they feel like they should grab harder than they do? Also, do you have your brake controller set on the highest setting?

It's very possible that my brakes are working as they should, but I feel like they should have more stopping power.
So far as I can tell, they seem to be working OK. We've only been out a couple times with the 2500HD as we just got it in July (I've had it 8 months and it's only got 2200 miles on it - LOL). I'm not sure where I have the controller set at this point. Definitely not at the highest setting, though

My 2500HD owners manual says the following regarding setup:
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.
What the last sentence means is anyone's guess!
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Old 03-13-2017, 05:41 PM   #15
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I've found the same thing with my new F-250. You're supposed to set the brakes by finding the setting where they just lock up and then go to one setting below that. I can't get my TT's brakes to lock up at the max. setting. I take my TT to a local specialist trailer company every Spring to do the brakes and bearings so I'll get them to confirm everything is as good as it can be in the Spring.
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Old 03-13-2017, 06:28 PM   #16
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I have a 2109s and have never been able to lock up the brakes. I thought they may need to be adjusted but found no adjuster. I called the axle manufacture and gave them the number printed on the axle. They informed me that the brakes are adjusted automatically and can not be adjusted manually. They also told me they will not lock up. I have no issue with any of this.
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Old 03-13-2017, 08:35 PM   #17
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When I did my PDI, they set the controller for me. I, too, have heard of the lock-up method, but that is not what they did. They got the truck and trailer rolling at about 5mph and engaged the brakes. When it would stop pretty quickly with the trailer brakes, they stopped increasing the gain. Been that way for 2 years now with no issues.
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Old 03-13-2017, 08:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomgky View Post
I have a 2109s and have never been able to lock up the brakes. I thought they may need to be adjusted but found no adjuster. I called the axle manufacture and gave them the number printed on the axle. They informed me that the brakes are adjusted automatically and can not be adjusted manually. They also told me they will not lock up. I have no issue with any of this.
Now for the odd part is if there is no adjustments how do you back them off to change the shoes. You have to back them off to be able to remove the drums. If you can back them off you can tighten them
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Old 03-13-2017, 08:39 PM   #19
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The "lock-up" method is part of the calibration instructions for the Prodigy brake controllers (maybe others, but I'm only familiar with Prodigy).
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Old 03-13-2017, 10:10 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomgky View Post
I have a 2109s and have never been able to lock up the brakes. I thought they may need to be adjusted but found no adjuster. I called the axle manufacture and gave them the number printed on the axle. They informed me that the brakes are adjusted automatically and can not be adjusted manually. They also told me they will not lock up. I have no issue with any of this.
Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes can be adjusted.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-62778.html

You must have an SOB (some other brand).
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