How to adjust brake controller

[Dave2]

I'm new to trailering, just got rid of my slide in and bought a 26ft tt with slide. On my first trip I set the controller to where it felt like the trailer brakes were doing most of the work stopping the trailer but later ran into a situation where It got me thinking. I was in a construction zone going uphill at about 45 mph, at the top was a left turn and it started down. I had been seeing flagger signs for about a mile and it was Satruday so I was beginning to wonder if thy were even working. As I came over the rise and entered the corner I found the flagger about 2/3 of the way around the corner. I hit the brakes hard but not enough to engage the anti lock of the truck, I realized I was going to knock some cones down if I kept going straight and I was afraid I might lock up the trailer if I hit the brakes harder. ( the thought of the trailer comming around sideways into the flagger wasnt pretty) so I eased off the brakes and went aroung the flagger and stopped. I had controll of the situation except for knowing when the trailer would lock up. So what do you guys do to set the controller. Do you practice stopping fast enough to where you lock the trailer up then back off a little to allow for different road conditions? How does your trailer handle when you lock up the brakes? Does it leave flat spots on the tires?

[450Donn]

Every brand of brake controller has it's own set of instructions on how to properly set it up. personally, I like to know I can lock up the trailers brakes and I try and adjust at that point.

[TXiceman]

First glad you are fine.

Next, welcome to iRV2.com.

All brake controllers are different and I as well as some others have had bad experiences with the inertia based controllers. What brand and model do you have.

The Jordan 2020 was a great direct proportional controller but the design was bought and it has not been back on the market. My Jordan dies and I replaced it with a MaxBrake which is a hydraulic over electric proportional unit. It is without a doubt, the smoothest brake controller I have used.

Let us know what controller you are using. But the best place to start is the instruction sheet for the controller. The inertia based units are hard if not nearly impossible to get set for smooth braking in the city and then for highway use.

You will find most of the people using the inertia based units as they are more readily available and much cheaper.

Ken

[Dave2]

I use the Prodigy controller. it seems to work ok but has about a half second lag before I feel the trailer brakes apply. I have a tandem axle utility trailer i use sometimes loaded and sometimes empty, if I forget to reset it the wheels lock up when empty and unless i'm going staright the trailer starts to swing out. I sure wouldn't want that to happen with the heavy tt. I looked at the pressure sensing controllers and they do seem like they would provide more proportional braking. I may spring for one. I'm not sure I'm going to keep this trailer I miss the ability to stop anywhere and go anywhere that I had with the slide in camper, and the 4mpg better mileage I got with it.

[steelpony555]

I have a Prodigy P-3 and it tells you to go to a parking lot and set the power to where at about 25-30 mph you can manuelly set the trailer brakes and they just barely don't lock up. Seems to work for my 5th wheel. Mine also has the boost feature which is great cause I like the trailer brakes to come on harder in traffic then out on the hwy and I can bump it up with a push of the button.