Ford F-250 Setting Electric Trailer Brakes...

[karldavidson]

Does anyone know how to set the electric brakes on a RV? I drive a F-250 Ford.

My RV weight is 9800 lbs. The dealer said to set it a three. However, this setting seems not to brake properly.

I bet a man at a RV park with the identical RV. He said he set his for 7.5 dry conditions and 8 for wet.

I've read the instruction from Ford. Doesn't make a lot of sense.

If it sounds like I'm confused, I am.

Thanks for any help.

Karl Davidson

[SuperDutyMan]

Kenc_AL wrote:

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
I have a 2011 F-250 with the IBC. I set it at 9 and forget it. Towing 8000lb trailer. Remember these do not work like an aftermarket controller. They apply the brake proportionally very smoothly as you press the brake pedal and is integrated with the ABS of the truck. It does not 'grab' at all. Nice and smooth. It will only go to full 9 setting (or where ever you set it) only if you hammer the brakes and that is when you want the most braking.

X2 except 11,000 lb. Best controller I have ever had.

[Kenc_AL]

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:
I have a 2011 F-250 with the IBC. I set it at 9 and forget it. Towing 8000lb trailer. Remember these do not work like an aftermarket controller. They apply the brake proportionally very smoothly as you press the brake pedal and is integrated with the ABS of the truck. It does not 'grab' at all. Nice and smooth. It will only go to full 9 setting (or where ever you set it) only if you hammer the brakes and that is when you want the most braking.

X2 except 11,000 lb. Best controller I have ever had.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

I have a 2011 F-250 with the IBC. I set it at 9 and forget it. Towing 8000lb trailer. Remember these do not work like an aftermarket controller. They apply the brake proportionally very smoothly as you press the brake pedal and is integrated with the ABS of the truck. It does not 'grab' at all. Nice and smooth. It will only go to full 9 setting (or where ever you set it) only if you hammer the brakes and that is when you want the most braking.

[lenr]

Start at 8. Go for same brake petal feel as when not towing--increase if having to push hard; decrease if trailer wheels lock or seems usually jerky. Ford brake controller supplies less voltage under 11 mph so test on a safe road at 20 mph. Manually activate fully to test for lock up. You should definately feel a slow down when manually activating at full brake. You don't want trailer wheel lockup on any solid surface--decrease if it locks.

[mikeh449]

on the controller on you dash will be a plus and minus buttons to add more gain push the plus it will make the trailer stop harder the minus works to lessen the braking power

[karldavidson]

WoodGlue wrote:
Which brake controller are you using, or is it integrated?

WoodGlue

My 250 is a 2013 and the controller is OEM.

[laknox]

To the OP, remember that, as you're adjusting your brakes, if you hit dirt, sand or gravel, your wheels are likely to lock up, so be aware of the surface as you drive. I know that I'll turn mine down driving in to our boondock camp site after leaving the pavement. Biggest issue is remembering to turn the gain back up after hitting the pavement, but the first downhill usually does the trick. 🙂

Lyle

[dahkota]

We have ours set for 7-8 depending on conditions - they came OEM with our F250.

[brirene]

Assuming you have the built in brake controller of your truck is later than an'05. With this controller the trailer brakes won't necessarily grab the way add on controllers do. Braking is much smoother.

[WoodGlue]

Which brake controller are you using, or is it integrated?

WoodGlue

[RoyF]

Like TxTiger said, use a setting that stops well without locking up. Go go a parking lot or someplace with no traffic. Creeping along at 3 or 4 mph, apply trailer brakes using the manual switch on your controller. If brakes lock up then use a lower setting and try again. Use the highest setting that does not lock the trailer brakes.

Brakes wear over time, so we ought to retest and reset our controllers now and then.

[sail2liv]

First maybe an inspection of brakes and adjustment .... with that correct is just a matter of setting the controller to give you desired effect.....

Good luck....on my 2500 hd I set at 5 for 8500 lb 5 er.....

[TxTiger]

Your brake controller should have some instructions. If you don't have an instruction book check on the web. On mine, I just rotated the sensitivity knob until the brakes stopped well but didn't "lock-up".