Forum Discussion

VeloFellow's avatar
VeloFellow
Explorer
Jul 18, 2016

15000 lb Toy Hauler Braking Question

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to RV.NET, I've already asked this in "Towing" but would like to get your thoughts, from actual heavy Toy Hauler owners.

I trying to determine if my toy hauler needs brake work or if the mediocre braking performance I have is normal for a rig of this size. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

I recently bought a used 40 ft, 3 axle toy hauler ("inspected" by the dealer at time of sale) which weighs about 15,000 lbs dry. When braking hard by fully activating the controller from within the cab, the brakes don't lock up. However, they do slow the trailer & truck fairly gradually without any help from the truck brakes.

Questions

- Is this normal braking force for a trailer of this size?

- Can you lock up your 15,000 lb trailer brakes?

- I’m using the OEM brake controller set to 10 in my 2008 Ford F450. Since there are 6 brakes, is there anything specific needed over the OEM Ford controller?

My previous trailer, a 29ft bunkhouse, could lock the trailer brakes on 7.5 if I hit the brakes hard. The toy hauler does not do this even when set to 10.

Thanks for your help,
Larry
Toy Haulers
  • lincster's avatar
    lincster
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    Sounds like everything is working normally.

    I can get my trailer brakes to lock up.
  • VeloFellow's avatar
    VeloFellow
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    lincster wrote:
    Sounds like everything is working normally.

    I can get my trailer brakes to lock up.


    Hi lincster.

    You can lock up your trailer brakes, but I can't.
    In your experience, can some 15000+lb trailers lock up and others can't?

    Thanks for replying
    Larry
  • VeloFellow's avatar
    VeloFellow
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    MARKW8 wrote:
    I can't lock my 15.5k loaded brakes.

    Mark


    Hi Mark,

    Thanks for replying.

    If you were to activate your trailer brakes only from the controller, how much stopping power do you get?

    In my test, it feels like the trailer brakes alone, it would take 4 x longer to stop the trailer + truck together than with also the trucks brakes applied. I know, its difficult to quantify.

    Larry
  • Dirtclods's avatar
    Dirtclods
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    I drive much more cautiously while towing I leave a lot of space between me and the vehicle ahead of me it seems theirs always someone who cuts right in front of me usually in the city so I do adjust my breaking on my controller a little more aggressively to stop me, verses fwy way conditions.

    And yes I can adjust my controller to skid what I'm towing but it's been proven sliding does not stop you any faster it's a balance between your tow vehicle and your rig.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    Our brakes, if stock, are not self-adjusting. Manually adjust your brakes and you should be able lock 'em up.
  • TexasRangerRzR's avatar
    TexasRangerRzR
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    I have same TV and similar weight trailer and feel the brakes under-perform as well. I am considering replacing the wiring for the brakes from the plug to the hubs, as I have heard that can contribute to this condition.
  • VeloFellow's avatar
    VeloFellow
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    azdryheat wrote:
    Our brakes, if stock, are not self-adjusting. Manually adjust your brakes and you should be able lock 'em up.


    I'm pretty sure that my trailer brakes are stock. I thought that they would be auto adjusting.

    This is really good information, thanks for the insight. I will look into that.

    Larry
  • VeloFellow's avatar
    VeloFellow
    Explorer
    Jul 18, 2016
    beemerphile1 wrote:
    Most trailers do NOT have self adjusting brakes. Adjust them.


    Whelp, it looks like I'm going to be spending sometime on my back under my trailer. I thought trailer brakes were self adjusting like the vintage cars rear drums I had when I was young.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih1pLKHELIs

    It looks like I will be saving $1,600. The RV stealer-ship wanted that to replace all 6 brake backing plates. (diagnosed and quoted over the phone without looking at the trailer)

    Thanks everyone for your help, its truly appreciated.

    Larry

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