Exhaust Brake
We had a great summer of travels in 2017, spending 42 days in our new 5th wheel. We purchased a 2015 Cedar Creek 38FB2 5th wheel....its 42 ft long. We are pulling with a 2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 Du...
Forum Discussion
MarkTwain wrote:CarnationSailor wrote:MarkTwain wrote:BarneyS wrote:Luna18 wrote:
My bad.....yes exhaust brake is on...
Trailer brake...how do you tell is its set properly??
Mine is like set on 5 or 6 currently
Thanks
See the post above yours.
Barney
Going about 20 mph, apply the brakes with the switch on your unit but not putting your foot on the truck brakes , does the trailer come to a smooth stop without skidding the tires in about 20 yds. If yes, then job done. If trailer brakes lock up and skid before you stop, lessen the setting 5.0 to 4.0 etc. If your trailer doesen't feel like it is stopping with the 20 yards the up the setting to 5.5 etc. Just takes a little trial and error.
I used this procedure 3 years ago when we got our rig. Could never get the tires to skid even when set at 10 so I left it set to 10. Seems to stop OK, but would have been more confident that it was set correctly if I could have achieved a skid then backed it down. Anyone else experience this?
I would take the trailer to a tire store like Les Schwab. Have them pull all the wheels to check all the bearings, that the brake pads are clean and have no grease on them. Then have them adjust the trailer brakes on each wheel. Also have your RV shop check to make sure the exhaust valve is fully opening and closing. I normally set my trailer brakes around 5.0. I have 3 additional settings "1,2,3" . Each provides stronger braking with #3 being the strongest. I use this if I know I am going to be going down some steep mountains.
I have taken my trailer to Les Schwab every 12 months since buying it 3 years ago. Each time they inspect and repack the wheel bearings, inspect and adjust the brakes, and rotate the tires. And I have been using a setting of 10 since Day 1.
Why do you recommend having the EB checked at my "RV shop"? I think the Chevy dealer would be a better place; however, I am super happy with the performance of the EB. And I am actually NOT unhappy with the braking of my trailer. I am just curious if I am the only one who uses a setting of 10.
