Adjusting my Tekonsha Voyager brake controller?

[vlopddap]

One easy question...

With my previous small pop-up campers I had to set my Tekonsha Voyager brake controller to maximum power level to get a minimal braking power on the trailer since my Rockwood pups only have the super small 7 inch drums brake which are VERY LOW braking power, it's even not possible to lock the wheels on dirt roads! I have the brake checked by the dealer back in this time and they told me the 7 inch brake are just for slowing down the trailer, they can't really stop it...

With my Sportsmen Classic 16BH I begin by adjusting the power level to 50% and the wheels completely locks on every try (tried at 40 KPH on an empty road as written in user manual). I had to set power level no more than 10% on the controller to prevent wheels from locking when braking normally! My Sportsmen came with the 2500 pounds Dexter axle and 13 inch wheels. I guess the brake drums size is somewhere around 10 inch...

Don't know if it's matter but the sensor-level adjustment (other control wheel) is "middle range" but it's just about the braking delay, not about the braking power, so it probably doesn't matter...

Is that normal or should I consider having a check on my trailer's brake?

[vlopddap]

Highbeam wrote:
I have the same situation on my two trailers. Both have the same 5200 lb dexters but one requires full power and the other half power from the prodigy.

That's why these things are adjustable.

The reason, well, probably some grease on the brakes or out of adjustment or rust on the drums.

I understand your point, but my own brake controller adjustment wheel is very close to the zero... about 10%, way less than the half. That's just surprising at first, to start from 100% gain on the pop-ups to near 0% gain on the TT (I know 0% is probably technically impossible).

Concerning rust a guy who work in trailer shop told me rust actually increase the braking force of drum brakes, it act like an anti-slip surface on drums! But soon the rust disappear after a few stops...

[Highbeam]

I have the same situation on my two trailers. Both have the same 5200 lb dexters but one requires full power and the other half power from the prodigy.

That's why these things are adjustable.

The reason, well, probably some grease on the brakes or out of adjustment or rust on the drums.

[Vet_Man]

Trailer weight will be a deciding factor in the setting. Load the trailer as you normally would. Go out on the road without using the tow vehicle brakes. Adjust trailer brake so that under hard braking the trailer stops but not drag the tires.

[goducks10]

IMO you have better brakes on the TT and it's light enough that the brakes are working good. It's better to have them locking up at a lower gain setting than not locking up at a higher gain setting.