TT brakes

[OL Creeker]

We tow a TT that weighs 5K, loaded, with a GMC 2500, Diesel. The truck came with the trailer brake control. Initially, it was set at 5. I've moved it up to 8 and still see no difference in the braking. Is this because the truck is so heavy? Is it because I've got it set correctly? I have absolutely no idea what "trailer gain". followed by numbers and "......" means. That's the indication I get on the dash during braking. Any advice/help will be appreciated.

[dalford]

Do the "...." Increase as you apply the brakes harder? If you go down at about 25 mph and apply just the TT brakes manually, does it stop your truck? At some point the gain of the brakes on the TT should lock up the tires.

[Leathergypsy]

When you say "no difference in the braking", please explain a little. as soon as you move a little, are you letting go of the gas and squeezing the levers together? Your rig isn't stopping?

[Leathergypsy]

oops...someone already answered this. Man do I type slow! lol,

[OL Creeker]

Originally Posted by dalford

Do the "...." Increase as you apply the brakes harder? If you go down at about 25 mph and apply just the TT brakes manually, does it stop your truck? At some point the gain of the brakes on the TT should lock up the tires.

Yes, I have pulled that lever at 25mph and yes, it did lock up the trailer brakes. I released it immediately. I wonder if doing that set the control? No, it did not stop the truck.

[dalford]

Well if it locked up the brakes it would eventually stop the truck. What you want to do is lower the gain until you can apply the manual control fully without locking the trailer brakes. Once you do that you know that if you brake hard your trailer will brake to the max without brake lock up.

All that being said, you should be able to feel the trailer brake if you aggressively apply the truck brakes. There is a switch that is triggered by the brake pedal. Make sure that is operating properly.

I never asked. What type of brake controller do you have?

[dalford]

Did you pull this TT with another tv before or is all this new to you? Typically when you brake aggressively your trailer will pull down on the rear of your tv...

[OL Creeker]

The brake controller came with the truck. It has a lever and buttons labeled plus and minus for TT brake. No name on it. I really appreciate your answers!

[dalford]

Sounds like a factory installed unit. I have what sounds like the same unit in my F150. From your posts it sounds like your controller is working in the manual mode since you were able to lock up the brakes with the manual control.

Try this to see if the controller is working properly when you apply the brakes. Turn the gain up high 8 where it locked up with the manual control. Adjust your mirrors so you can see the tires on your trailer. Get up to about 25 and stop quickly using your brake pedal not the manual slide switch and see if the tires lock up (smoke). If they do then your controller is working properly. Now calibrate your brake controller by lowering the gain to say 5. Go 25 mph and slide manual control to max. If smoke, lower to 4, try again. Just do this until your tires don't lock up when you apply the manual control.

If you can't get your tires to lock up when you apply the brakes aggressively, you need to make sure the brake switch is operating properly. I am nor exactly sure how it connects to the brake pedal shaft but my guess would be that it is held closed until you push on the brake pedal and then it opens.

You do also have a significant truck to TT so that does play into what you feel but I would think you should be able to set up to much gain and lock up the brakes on your trailer and know it works.

Hope this helps...

[prof_fate]

idle down the driveway and manually pull the trailer brake lever and you should feel the trailer brakes kick on - and stop the truck, or close to it.

the higher the number the more the brakes on the trailer

My integrated controller is set at 2.5 to 3.0 range - I change it based on feel, load, weather, road, etc. I start on 3 and as the brakes warm I"ll usually move to 2.5.

[Sgt. Schultz]

Hello the following video is a pretty good demo for the GM IBC: http://www.youtube.com/v/RXJ-Jn1My9c It may be helpful

[kz08h5]

I have a 08 Duramax pulling a 6500 lb TT. I have noticed similar breaking qualities with my set up. I think the issue is the Truck weighs more than the trailer. When I pulled the same trailer with my Jeep Commander you could feel the trailer slow the Jeep down. I have never been able to lock up the trailer brakes with either TV.

[OL Creeker]

I sort of wondered if it wasn't that the truck was so much more powerful than our previous TV. Never gave the weight difference a thought.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by kz08h5

I have a 08 Duramax pulling a 6500 lb TT. I have noticed similar breaking qualities with my set up. I think the issue is the Truck weighs more than the trailer. When I pulled the same trailer with my Jeep Commander you could feel the trailer slow the Jeep down. I have never been able to lock up the trailer brakes with either TV.

I can't lock the 5ver trailer brakes either, nor could I lock up the 831RLSS TT brakes. I think the trailers are too heavy to smoke the tires in a stop. I don't want them sliding and flat spot the tires, but I want feel the trailer trying to slow down the truck anytime I touch the brakes. Just my towing style.

[joeobx]

Is the controller mounted in the dash ? If it is and it's like the one that came in my ford it's a progressive controller......you shouldn't feel the trailer pushing or pulling on the truck when you stop. It should feel like your towing something with surge brakes.

[Ole Sage]

Same with me, Prof fate, 2.5 is max any higher and I feel the trailer pulling back on the truck, sooo at 8 you should feel something.

28' Tracer ~ 6K
F-250