trailer brake controller

[SPYDER]

so with the wheeling season starting back up and all this talk about trailer maintenance and brakes.  I was curious about what you guys all set your brake controls at. 

my new trailer is the first trailer I have used that is equipped with brakes.  so I have never really used a brake controller.  I have always had one in my trucks but just never got to use it.  the past couple times I have towed with the trailer I have had the controller set pretty low...I think the highest I have gone is 3.0 gain.   what do you guys run yours at??

[Axle]

mine doesn't have a number display, i set it so when its empty it skids on dirt.

[Bluerocket]

i run mine at 9 (scale goes up to 10).

The trick is to have it not too grabby but still able to stop well in an emergency.   Is yours an integrated controller, if so your manual will likely have a suggestion on how to set it.
My manual suggests rolling 20MPH with fully loaded weight, then hitting the manual activation on the brake controller and it should lock the tires.  At 25-30 it should not lock with this weight.

[Ian]

I dial mine down in wet conditions

[Bluerocket]

With the integrated controllers the ABS works with the trailer as well which is nice.

[SPYDER]

yes its integrated but I added it as an accessory   ill have break out the owners manual 

[JayZR2]

What cntroller do you have? I have the Tekonesha Prodigy. It allows me to toggle between 3 different settings. So I can add "boost" to the trailer brakes. They start at 0%, 10% and 25% depending on which setting I choose.  I usually use 10% unless I'm in heavy traffic then I use 25%. When it's empty I use 0%

[jerry k]

Wait a sec..you guys have brakes on your trailers ??

[rich]

take it from me you need them

[jps4jeep]

It really depends on the controller. My Reese controller died sometimes e last year and had settings between 1.0 & 4.0 and was not inertia sensitive. I bought, not installed, a prodigy P2 unit which I understand is 1-13 settings with inertia built in. Best advice, drive around and figure out as you go.

[rich]

for those that don't know I did roughly $17,000 damage to my 1 ton dodge  due to no trailer brakes

[Bluerocket]

for those that don't know I did roughly $17,000 damage to my 1 ton dodge  due to no trailer brakes

Without mine I feel uncomfortable towing, can't imagine doing without the brakes all the time!

[SPYDER]

What cntroller do you have? I have the Tekonesha Prodigy. It allows me to toggle between 3 different settings. So I can add "boost" to the trailer brakes. They start at 0%, 10% and 25% depending on which setting I choose.  I usually use 10% unless I'm in heavy traffic then I use 25%. When it's empty I use 0%

It's the dodge one that sits in this convient location in my dash.  It goes from 0-10. It is completely integrated into my pcm and cluster. 

I never have had a reason to need trailer brakes this far but I know I've been lucky.  That's why I made sure my trailer came with breaks when I was buying and I got the controller.  Next time I have the jeep on the trailer I'll play around more with the controller.  Each time I tow I have increased the gain.  Haven't locked the wheels up but also can't really tell if it's doing much of not. 

[JayZR2]

Like this one?


Found this on tuning it on a Dodge forum:

Adjusting GAIN
NOTE: This should only be performed in a traffic free
environment at speeds of approximately 20–25 mph
(30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working
condition, functioning normally, and properly adjusted.
See your trailer dealer if necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections
according to the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the
GAIN setting will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/-) buttons to increase or
decrease the GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A
GAIN setting of 6 is a good starting point for heavier
loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry,
level surface at a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and
squeeze the manual brake control lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing
tires), reduce the GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn
freely, increase the GAIN setting.

Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point
just below trailer wheel lockup. If towing a heavier
trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even
with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.

[HEYzipupyourfly]

I usually have to adjust mine depending on which trailer i am towing how loaded up i am or how many braking axles there are.
a lot of tandem axle trailers only have 2 braking wheels believe it or not. all wheels braking is obviously most desirable.
I like to keep mine adjusted heavy so that i can slow down my truck with the trailer if need be, You will be glad you did one day when you have to stop in traffic coming down a steep hill and the trailer trys to pass you by.
just remember, short wheelbase and towing don't play well together.