Forum Discussion

TowBo's avatar
TowBo
Explorer
Apr 08, 2019

Hot brakes and Tall trailers

I have a small light tow rig. With our weight dist. hitch with sway control, it tows amazingly well. It almost drives like I'm not towing at all... until I look at the MPG... The issue I have is with the brakes on our single axel, 19ft, 2015 Jayco Jay Flight (baja). I use the p3 brake controller. We tow in the Pacific Northwest and often encounter steep hills, sharp corners, and wet conditions. We can smell the brakes working. The wiring looks good underneath, but the wheels on the Jayco are definitely getting hot. We are beefing up the brakes on the tow rig, should we consider upgrading the trailer brakes as well? Am I not adjusting the P3 correctly? We wont be changing tow vehicles for a couple of years when our other vehicle is ready for a replacement. It just isn't in our cards right now, sadly. Here is my current set up. Its a 2016 Sorrento rated to tow 5,000 lbs. My TT has a gvwr of 3,800, but we have it loaded @ 3,400lbs. The other issue may not be one and someone with more experience can weight in. We have a low tow vehicle and the TT is significantly higher. The Baja edition we have comes with a higher suspension. Do you think drag is an issue? The other issue is adjustments with the hitch itself. Its really close to level but not perfect. Has anyone safely lowered a TT? Would you recommend it?

  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Apr 08, 2019
    Agreed. Sounds like too aggressive on the trailer brakes perhaps combined with too much depending on brakes instead of using lower gears and engine braking.

    If your TV lacks a tow/haul setting on the transmission, it is up to you to gear down at the top of a hill. Having an auto transmission does not make sticking it in D and forgetting it a good option outside of the “normal” non-towing transmission program, which is set to get you into the highest gear possible and take advantage of free-wheeling down hill to maximize gas mileage.

    I, too, tow with an SUV with a 6 cylinder engine. While the transmission has a sport mode, it has no tow/haul mode, so I put it into manual mode heading downhill. I can go down a 15% grade at speeds up to about 40 mph in second gear (6 speed gearbox) hardly using the brakes. A 7% grade on the interstate at 60-65 mph in third gear requires no brakes at all because of wind resistance.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Apr 08, 2019
    A trailer that size, with only a single axle, for braking, will heat the brakes up pretty quick, on a steep downhill. The tow vehicle engine braking, by putting the transmission in a lower gear, going down, will help to keep the brakes cooler on TV, and trailer. There is no easy fix, and a V6 engine, will not slow the rig like a V8. If you back off on the trailer brake setting, you risk over heating the TV brakes, which could cause them to fade, and a more dangerous situation. Going down slowly, similar to the speed going up, is your best option.

    Wind drag is always going to hurt mileage. We all deal with that, and towing at a lower speed is about the only fix for that too. Most gas engine TVs will get about 8-10 mpg, at around 60 mph.

    It seems you know, when the time comes, you should get a heavier duty tow vehicle. When you do, you most likely will want a bigger trailer! :)

    Jerry
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2019
    Trailer brakes are supposed to complement the TV braking and not be the primary
    braking. If you are running on P3 - then this is the most aggressive setting;
    You probably feel the trailer braking before the TV brakes take a bite;

    It's a balance finding that sweet spot; Try backing off and use P2 - and then
    lower the gain SLIGHTLY; If you can smell the TT brakes and they are getting
    hot then they are losing efficiency and you are relying more on the TV brakes.

    On steep hills, slow down....... there's no shame in going down a hill at 20mph
    instead of 30 mph !!! as long as you do it safely;
  • 2Rad4U's avatar
    2Rad4U
    Explorer III
    Apr 08, 2019
    The setup looks good. I would try backing off of the brake controller until you find the sweet spot.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Apr 08, 2019
    from your picture the trailer is slightly nose down. If that is correct you should be good. If it tows well I would leave it alone. I would definitely not try to lower the trailer.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,027 PostsLatest Activity: Apr 19, 2019