getting fifth wheel brakes on 2500 chev duramax set right

[lakedubay]

Looking for advice on setting controller in pickup so as brakes on fifth wheel will operate properly, not too much or too little

[Rockborough]

I like to set mine up on a gravel road. I go about 20mph and brake hard and if the trailer and not the truck skids then I back the trailer brakes off until niether skids but the whole rig stops quickly.

In the winter I do the same on a snow covered road except at a slower speed as u definately don't want the trailer brakes on to high a setting or u could easily find your trailer passing the truck! *smile*

[darealmccoy]

One more thing. After you have your truck and trailer loaded and ready to go camping, you will probably have to readjust due to the added wright of all your "stuff". Happy camping.

Dave

[jmanatee]

downtheroad wrote:
You have to hook up your trailer and pull it at about 20 mph on an open (deserted) road. Next, apply the manual control on the brake controller and see how it feels.

Too jerky - lock up then reduce the power some and retest.
Too free - not enough brake then increase the power and retest.

Play with it some until it feels "right."

This is all done with the manual control knob...NOT the brake pedal.

This is close to what I heard, I heard the road condition should match what you will be driving on. and the tires should just barely not not be skidding when you apply the controller.

[Old-Biscuit]

First.......check/adjust trailer brakes

Then play around with controller as suggested.

Then I would increase output just slightly for maximum trailer braking....you'll need it with that Bighorn and the 2500

[schlep1967]

And something to think about. A little bit of jerking is slightly unpleasant. Not having enough brake adjusted in when you really need them is way beyond unpleasant.

[downtheroad]

You have to hook up your trailer and pull it at about 20 mph on an open (deserted) road. Next, apply the manual control on the brake controller and see how it feels.

Too jerky - lock up then reduce the power some and retest.
Too free - not enough brake then increase the power and retest.

Play with it some until it feels "right."

This is all done with the manual control knob...NOT the brake pedal.

[AVid]

There are all kinds of procedures you can go through, or you can do what I did. Set it to 5 and try it. Not enough...turn it up and try it again. Too much...turn it down and try again. Mine ended up being perfect at 6.5

John