Forum Discussion

oyarsa's avatar
oyarsa
Explorer
Nov 09, 2017

Car jerks when letting off brake

We are heading on our maiden voyage!

I have a 2012 Toyota Sequioa pulling a 2017 Bullet 247BHSWE. I of course have a brake controller installed, but I'm struggling with getting it properly adjusted. The car is jerking a lot when I let off the breaks. This is particularly annoying in town. If I lower the gain, I can get rid of the jerking, but at that low the trailer breaks don't feel like they're doing much. If I just use the paddle it doesn't slow us down very well. I've tried adjusting the sync, which seemed to help, but only modestly.

Should I expect it to be smooth when releasing the break, or just get used to the jerking?
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    What controller?

    Lots of us started out with timer type controllers and switched to the pricier progressive controllers to eliminate jerking.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Nov 09, 2017
    If this is a new trailer and it has always done it, the axle(s) may be installed backwards. They can be very grabby going backwards.
    It's happened before on the forum.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    oyarsa wrote:
    Should I expect it to be smooth when releasing the break, or just get used to the jerking?


    What brake controller? If it's time based then no wonder it jerks but a properly adjusted inertia based controller such as a Tekonsha P2 or P3 shouldn't.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,030 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 04, 2025