We recently took delivery on a new Arctic Fox trailer. The trailer brakes apparently were not adjusted at the factory - no brakes at all when using the manual brake controller, even when set on max. gain.We don't have an Arctic Fox dealer near us, so we took it to a local shop where they adjusted the trailer brakes to be as tight as possible. It still doesn't seem like they are working correctly to me.When driving at 25 mph with the brake controller gain maxed out it takes approx. 16 seconds to come to a complete stop on a level road. Does that seem right? It seems like a very looonnnnng slow stop. Our prior trailer was substantially lighter, but the brakes on that rig could be made to lock up if I set the controller too high. This one barely seems to be working. The trailer weight is 6,600 lbs., and it is being pulled by an F150. Our old trailer was just over 4,000#. Would that difference in weight make that much difference in the function of the trailer brakes?

What type of controller do you have?...What is it set at?With a heavier trailer, you need it set higher. I just put a Prodigy 3 controller on today....makes a world of difference over a timed controller

My controller is the factory installed option on my truck. The gain can be set from 0 - 10, and I have it at 10 right now. Nothing more to play with there.

Have you tried riding the trailer brake awhile? New trailers brakes sometimes need to be worked in before they will grab.

Something's not right there. You should be able to lock them at least a few times in a row before fade sets in. I've been running my P3 between 4.6 and 6.0 (depending on weight) since I bought it. Impending lock up is where you ideally want them set. You should be able to achieve that. You may have a poor connection somewhere or grease on your magnets or linkage binding. Plenty of reasons why they might not work, but you should be able to lock the tires.

chevor wrote:Have you tried riding the trailer brake awhile? New trailers brakes sometimes need to be worked in before they will grab.When we picked up the trailer the brakes weren't working at all on the trailer. Even pulling the breakaway cable didn't do a thing because they were so far out of adjustment. Today I picked it up after having the brakes adjusted and that is when it seemed to still be very weak. So for practical purposes, today was the first time the brakes have even been used. Maybe they will get better with some mileage on them? I did take it for a short ride again tonight and it seemed to grab slightly better, but nowhere near locking them up.

Trailer Brake Stopping Distance | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Hybridhunter
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
We got a new axle last year, and it took some abuse / miles before the brakes worked effectively.
carringb
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
I have the same problem with my new Creekside (also a Nash product).

I'm pretty sure whoever is lubing the axles as the factory is blowing too much grease in through the "EZ-lube" zerks. This causes the seal to blow out and grease the brake shoes. But... just speculation at this point. I am happy with how the wiring looks, and they were adjusted properly, and are sized larger than other equivalent trailers. But the dealer is booked out a while, and I haven't had time to look myself.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
From what I have heard, Northwood Manufacturing stands behind their product. Why don't you talk to them.
Stickbowhip
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
chevor wrote:
Have you tried riding the trailer brake awhile? New trailers brakes sometimes need to be worked in before they will grab.

When we picked up the trailer the brakes weren't working at all on the trailer. Even pulling the breakaway cable didn't do a thing because they were so far out of adjustment. Today I picked it up after having the brakes adjusted and that is when it seemed to still be very weak. So for practical purposes, today was the first time the brakes have even been used.

Maybe they will get better with some mileage on them? I did take it for a short ride again tonight and it seemed to grab slightly better, but nowhere near locking them up.
mosseater
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2014
Something's not right there. You should be able to lock them at least a few times in a row before fade sets in. I've been running my P3 between 4.6 and 6.0 (depending on weight) since I bought it. Impending lock up is where you ideally want them set. You should be able to achieve that. You may have a poor connection somewhere or grease on your magnets or linkage binding. Plenty of reasons why they might not work, but you should be able to lock the tires.
chevor
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Have you tried riding the trailer brake awhile? New trailers brakes sometimes need to be worked in before they will grab.
Stickbowhip
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
My controller is the factory installed option on my truck. The gain can be set from 0 - 10, and I have it at 10 right now. Nothing more to play with there.
poncho62
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
What type of controller do you have?...What is it set at?

With a heavier trailer, you need it set higher.

I just put a Prodigy 3 controller on today....makes a world of difference over a timed controller

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Trailer Brake Stopping Distance

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