Trailer Brake Question
Hi Everyone, I'm new to RV.NET.:) I recently bought a 40 ft, 3 axle toy hauler which weighs about 15,000 lbs dry. When braking, the brakes don't lock up, but they do slow the trailer & truck fai...
Forum Discussion
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate your help. I've lurked RV.NET for a while, I love the sense of community and the helpfulness of the members.
Judging from applying full brakes from the controller alone vs. doing the same while also applying the truck brakes, it seems that my truck is providing about 75-80% of the stopping power. Is this normal for trailers this size / weight?
It seems that many large trailers (15,000 lbs +) cannot lockup brakes on full controller.
Would the lack of braking be because there are 3 axles / 6 brakes on the trailer so there isn't enough voltage coming from the OEM Ford brake controller to fully engage them? mkirsch mentions current on wiring, this kinda "sparked" (pun intended) that thought.
I should've mentioned that this is used toy hauler bought from a dealer. They inspected everything prior to sale. They offered to replace the brake backing plates (magnets, springs and repack bearings) for $1200 (with $500 their cost on parts) if I was overly concerned, which I am. If some yo-yo cut in front of me and I had to emergency stop, I'm not sure if I could. This 40 ft trailer with a F450 defiantly takes longer to stop than a 29 ft bunkhouse with a 1/2 ton..
Thanks again for the feedback, we appreciate your insights.
Larry & Sylvia.
Thanks for your feedback, we appreciate your help. I've lurked RV.NET for a while, I love the sense of community and the helpfulness of the members.
Judging from applying full brakes from the controller alone vs. doing the same while also applying the truck brakes, it seems that my truck is providing about 75-80% of the stopping power. Is this normal for trailers this size / weight?
It seems that many large trailers (15,000 lbs +) cannot lockup brakes on full controller.
Would the lack of braking be because there are 3 axles / 6 brakes on the trailer so there isn't enough voltage coming from the OEM Ford brake controller to fully engage them? mkirsch mentions current on wiring, this kinda "sparked" (pun intended) that thought.
I should've mentioned that this is used toy hauler bought from a dealer. They inspected everything prior to sale. They offered to replace the brake backing plates (magnets, springs and repack bearings) for $1200 (with $500 their cost on parts) if I was overly concerned, which I am. If some yo-yo cut in front of me and I had to emergency stop, I'm not sure if I could. This 40 ft trailer with a F450 defiantly takes longer to stop than a 29 ft bunkhouse with a 1/2 ton..
Thanks again for the feedback, we appreciate your insights.
Larry & Sylvia.
