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Bigwheels94's avatar
Bigwheels94
Explorer
Feb 28, 2015

Brake settings

HI all. New guy here with a question about the settings on my Hayes G2.My 5'er weighs approx. 12K & is towed by my Dodge Ram Cummins. The issue I'm having after going through the setup procedure in the instructions is this.
For city driving the Minimum setting is 15%. This works great for low speed, stop & go traffic. Hardly know the trailer is back there. However at higher speeds it pushes the Dodge pretty bad. I set the Minimum to 20% but in town it seems the trailer is doing all the braking, & its not smooth at all.
My question is do I have to adjust the minimum higher on the freeway, & set it back in town? That doesn't seem to be very automatic to me. Is this what you have to do with your rig?
BTW Using the manual braking lever I can plant myself into the wheel so I know the trailer brakes are working to potential.
I have talked to Hayes tech support, & they sent me a new G2. Trying this one it made no difference so this time they have sent me their Endeavor that has an adjustable arm on the side to level the sensor. They said I needed a more sensitive accelerometer.
What am I missing?
Thanks.
  • Bigwheels94's avatar
    Bigwheels94
    Explorer
    Mar 10, 2015
    Update. I just gave the Endeavor a try on the trip up to the shop. It did a little better than the Brake Boss, but not good enough. I especially didn't like having to go through the button sequence to adjust the boost while driving so after a couple calls to the distributer I bought it from they agreed to credit me the money I spent on the Hayes, & I replaced it with a Tekonsha P3 for an extra $24.00. Its installed now, & I'm waiting for my 5'er to be done then I'll adjust it, & see how it works in comparison. I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for all the advice.
  • Brisk's avatar
    Brisk
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2015
    Dude just buy a Prodigy P3 and be done with it.
  • Bigwheels94's avatar
    Bigwheels94
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    Thanks. At least now I know its normal. Still don't like it but if that's the way it is then so be it. Next week I'm bringing my 5'er back to the shop for more warranty work, & I'm going to give the new Endeavor a try. I'll let you know how it works.
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    With heavy weight I had to adjust the boost on my P2 as well, weights up to 20K combined. At interstate speeds it would be on 2 and off everywhere else.
  • Bigwheels94's avatar
    Bigwheels94
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2015
    Thanks. I was beginning to think mine as the exception. Sounds like this is the norm with these things especially with heavy trailers. I don't like it but its better than having to do things manually all the time. Next outing I'm going to try the Endeavor to see if the coarse lever adjustment will do the trick, Otherwise I'll just go back to the Brake Boss, & adjust the settings.
  • Brisk's avatar
    Brisk
    Explorer II
    Mar 02, 2015
    I set the "boost" on my Prodigy P2 higher when I am on the freeway. My experience is just like yours with regards to feeling like the trailer is doing all of the braking in town and not enough on the freeway. By adjusting my controller from boost 1 around town to boost 2 or 3 on the freeway makes for a better towing experience. I do the same with my flatbed trailer when it is loaded heavy
  • Bigwheels94's avatar
    Bigwheels94
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2015
    Yes. Its actually called the Brake Boss, or G2. According to everything I've read the P2 settings are basically the same. Boost is the initial minimum brake applied when the brake lights are activated then there is a Max setting to limit the total current going to the brakes to prevent lockup.
    Looking at the pic in your reply my 5'er weighs a lot more so my settings will be different. My problem is with the boost set using the procedure in the instructions it works perfect during braking up to about 25-35mph. Above that speed the tow vehicle can't provide enough braking to get the accelerometer to raise the trailer braking much if any higher than the boost setting.
    P.S. I recognize you from Cummins Forum, etc. I have another post there as well.
    Thanks.
  • AH64ID's avatar
    AH64ID
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2015
    I've never heard of the G2.

    Does it have a boost feature like the P2?
  • Bigwheels94's avatar
    Bigwheels94
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2015
    Over 100 views, & not 1 reply...
    Am I the only one running a Hayes G2? I've read the specs on the Prodigy P2, & It's settings are basically the same so...
    Nobody has any input for a 1st time electric brake user?

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