Adjusting brake controller

[dntndbrown]

I have a 2011 F-150 Supercrew with a factory installed brake controller, came with the Max Tow package.
When I picked up my travel trailer from the dealer a Tech took the truck and trailer for a ride and set the controller.
Really don't know how to set it though.
Any help would be appreciated.

[kcfissel]

Level ground, truck in gear, set the controller to where the trailer just keeps everything from moving.
We tow a 5200# (dry weight) 29' Skyline with an F 150 4x4.
My controller is set at 5.5 and works well.

[rbpru]

You definitely need to read and understand your owner’s manual.

The control I have has two adjustments, one controls the rate at which the power is sent to the brakes the other controls the amount of power sent to the brakes. They sort of work as course and fine tuning adjustments to keep the brakes from locking up with a slight touch of the pedal yet allow aggressive braking in a panic stop.

My controller was adjusted by the technician at my TT pick up time. He specifically said that I would need to re-adjust it once the TT was loaded with supplies.

Not all TT brakes will lock up and skid on dry pavement. I cannot lock up the brakes on my 25 ft. Dutchmen. It did however stop very nicely during a panic stop to miss some deer.

Again, read and understand the operation of you specific control instructions. Your dealer or the internet may be able to help.

[pappcam]

coolmom42 wrote:
Does your owner's manual have anything to say about it?

This is the best answer although it's a question. :B

[ken56]

Another thought here, even though your trailer is new doesn't mean the brakes on the trailer itself are adjusted properly.

[ken56]

When my trailer was new the brakes didn't feel very strong even with the controller at 10. Now having put a few thousand miles on it the brakes have burnished in and will stop my whole set up without my touching the TV brakes. I have my controller set at 7 now and will only decrease it on wet pavement if I notice them locking up, otherwise its at 7 all the time. If your brakes are still fairly new then they will be weak feeling until they burnish in and that may take a little while depending how much you pull it.

[Chuck_thehammer]

a heavier trailer should NOT be able to LOCK its brakes... cause LOSS of control.

the factory brake controller with Tow vehicle having anti-lock brakes.... lessen the likely of trailer brakes locking in bad weather.

[itguy08]

Curious about this too. We've got the same vehicle and the owners manual says to set it just below where it locks the brakes. Problem is ours never locks the brakes, even on 10. I think I've got ours set a little high at 8 but was wondering where the proper setting is.

Pulling the lever gives you moderate braking at 7 and a lot at 10. All seems to feel fine but it seems like the trailer should help out a little bit more.

[Lynnmor]

RJCorazza wrote:
On my F250 I adjusted the controller to the point where it locked up the trailer at parking lot speeds, then down a couple notches. I personally like to feel the trailer drag on the truck a little, but I believe the perfect adjustment is when the trailer is neither pulling on the truck while braking or pushing.
I also check the adjustment when conditions change like rain, gravel, etc.

The trailer brakes are inferior to the ones on the truck, so I wouldn't adjust in a way that causes the trailer brakes to work harder. I agree that one shouldn't feel any push or drag from the trailer.

There is no need to adjust for road conditions because you do that automatically by applying the brakes lightly when traction is less. That is the beauty of the integrated controllers, aftermarket units don't have a clue what the driver wants to do.

[RJCorazza]

On my F250 I adjusted the controller to the point where it locked up the trailer at parking lot speeds, then down a couple notches. I personally like to feel the trailer drag on the truck a little, but I believe the perfect adjustment is when the trailer is neither pulling on the truck while braking or pushing.
I also check the adjustment when conditions change like rain, gravel, etc.

[Bumpyroad]

tshirtman wrote:
On the Ram factory controller there is a + and - button by the manual slide control (digital ) Mine is set at 70 . You want (with trailer attached to TV) the brakes to grab but not lock up and not to light so as to make the TV do too much work.
Hope this helps

that's basically what the salesman did with my setup, adjust by feel, not by number.
bumpy

[tshirtman]

On the Ram factory controller there is a + and - button by the manual slide control (digital ) Mine is set at 70 . You want (with trailer attached to TV) the brakes to grab but not lock up and not to light so as to make the TV do too much work.
Hope this helps

[coolmom42]

Does your owner's manual have anything to say about it?