Forum Discussion

bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Mar 12, 2017

Trailer Brake / Brake Controller Question

I have a 2012 Toyota Tundra and tow a 7100 pound travel trailer. My brake controller is an older Prodigy. The trailer ways a bit more than my truck.

When I set up the brake controller (following proper procedures and manually applying the trailer brakes at about 25mph) I cannot get the trailer brakes to come close to locking up, even when the brake controller is set to the highest setting.

This doesn't seem right to me.

When on the highway and using the boost 2 or boost 3 mode, the truck and trailer stop okay, but I still feel like I can't set the brake controller "high enough" without the boost mode.

Do you think there may be something wrong with my brake controller, or that my trailer brakes may need to be serviced?

It has been like this since the day I picked the trailer up from the dealer brand new.

thanks
matt

22 Replies

Show More
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2017
    The trailer brakes will adjust just the car/truck brakes do. Use the standard brake tool and spin the wheel and keep adjusting until you just put drag on the moving wheel. Then back off the adj just a tad.

    A good way to tell if the electric brakes are engaging I found using my trusty ole boy scout compass works... Have someone use the brake level knob and the compass will move when the brake magnet gets power... Do that for each of the brake magnets...

    Some brake magnets emit a low level tone when engaged. Both my trailers do that here...

    Sometimes you have to physically move the wheel a 1/4 or 1/2 turn before the electric brakes will engage...

    If you have clamp-on DC Current meter on the wire lead feeding each brake magnet you will read around 3AMPS DC CURRENT when a full 12VDC is applied to each brake magnet. That be 6AMPS total for a single axle or 12AMPS total for a dual axle.

    Roy Ken

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,136 PostsLatest Activity: May 29, 2025