Best way to tune in trailer brakes
I've got a 2011 Ford F250 Lariat 6.7 Diesel and am new to towing a 5th wheel. My question is what's the best way to adjust my factory brake controller to utilize the trailer brakes but not overuse the...
Forum Discussion
So much depends...
One the brake size vs trailer size/weight and the biggie...how you
drive and where you drive
Friction material is sacrificial to the cast iron, though the cast iron
will also wear...albeit at a much lower rate
I carry tools and one set is to both re-adjust the trailer brakes during
the trip and to replace them during the trip.
Also touch the trailer brakes often during the trip. Both to check that
they are working and to keep them heated up in their working temp range
Don't currently own any trailer, but borrow from church members and/or
friends. They now know it is returned in better shape...most times.
Some times tell them they need xyz and if their brake shoes are too
low, will change them out for new shoes before I'll take it out on the
road.
Prefer to skid them during the shake out. Around 25mph or lower. Know
that when they get up into their op temp range, they will have more
braking. Some CAN NOT skid no matter what, but now I know before starting
out
Another test is to stop the whole setup out there in the parking lot
WITHOUT ever getting the TV's brakes to turn on, Just touch the TV's
brake pedal enough to tell the P3 to set the trailer brakes and go no
farther with the pedal. So the TV's MC never produces PSI for the TV
brakes during that 25mph check/test/adjustment
One the brake size vs trailer size/weight and the biggie...how you
drive and where you drive
Friction material is sacrificial to the cast iron, though the cast iron
will also wear...albeit at a much lower rate
I carry tools and one set is to both re-adjust the trailer brakes during
the trip and to replace them during the trip.
Also touch the trailer brakes often during the trip. Both to check that
they are working and to keep them heated up in their working temp range
Don't currently own any trailer, but borrow from church members and/or
friends. They now know it is returned in better shape...most times.
Some times tell them they need xyz and if their brake shoes are too
low, will change them out for new shoes before I'll take it out on the
road.
Prefer to skid them during the shake out. Around 25mph or lower. Know
that when they get up into their op temp range, they will have more
braking. Some CAN NOT skid no matter what, but now I know before starting
out
Another test is to stop the whole setup out there in the parking lot
WITHOUT ever getting the TV's brakes to turn on, Just touch the TV's
brake pedal enough to tell the P3 to set the trailer brakes and go no
farther with the pedal. So the TV's MC never produces PSI for the TV
brakes during that 25mph check/test/adjustment
