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Advice about Trailer Braking System, please
11-14-2011, 07:06 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Danville, IN
Posts: 46
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I just purchased a new Jayco 23B ultra feather light. It is 3,790 lbs dry. I also bought a new F-150 Ecoboost with electric Trailer Brake System (OEM). This past Saturday I hooked up the trailer to adjust the brake system, I followed the instructions to a "T". I started with a gain of 6.5 and moved it up .5 gain each time I made a run at it, I went up all the way to 10 gain (max). The trailer brakes still did not lock up. The instructions (Ford Manual) says that if you get to 10 gain, that is about it, no further adjustments needed. I'm not to comfortable with that! Any guidance or suggestions?
BTW, the trailer brakes did stop the vehicle in all settings, the brakes just didn't lock up/skid like the instructions say you should try to achieve.
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US Army, Retired
2012 Jayco, Jay Feather Ultra Lite, 23B
2011 Ford F-150, XLT, Ecoboost
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11-15-2011, 05:46 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 46
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I ran into the same problem. The trailer seems to stop fine, but I can't get the brakes to lock up. I just let it go at that and don't worry about it. I'm curious about what others have to say about it.
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11-15-2011, 08:38 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ft Bragg NC
Posts: 23
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I could not get mine to lock up either but seems to work fine other wise.
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2012 Freedom Express 296REDS
2004 Silverado 2500HD
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11-15-2011, 08:42 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,032
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Try adjusting the trailers brakes.
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Don and Lorri
2007 Dodge 3500 dually
Saigon International Airport 1966/67
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11-15-2011, 10:31 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 206
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Let the truck and trailer roll forward. If you can stop the truck and trailer by manually engaging the trailer brakes only, then you are fine. The whole "lock-up" thing is just a landmark at which point they have you back up the setting a bit. The trailer brakes should not be locking up at any time during actual use.
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11-15-2011, 12:51 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 450Donn
Try adjusting the trailers brakes.
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I followed the manufacturer's directions on adjusting the brakes and couldn't see any difference - still no lock-up. It was the first time I've ever adjusted brakes but I think I did it correctly. I'm glad to see others with the same "problem," now I won't be as concerned.
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11-15-2011, 10:08 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 4,925
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Often the cause of weak electric brakes is under-sized wiring, and or,faulty wire connections. This means electric brakes may not "lock-up" as described in the initial adjustment procedure. It does not mean they cannot be properly adjusted. My electric brakes will only "lock-up" on a gravel surface. You want the brakes to have maximum retarding capacity; without sliding the tires, which may result in losing control. The end result should be, you cannot feel the trailer brakes grabbing, but rather the tow vehicle and trailer stop smoothly as one unit. Ideally the same foot pressure is used whether you are towing or not.
This electric brake guide is quite useful to make sure they are mechanically and electrically sound.
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"As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances there is a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air - however slight - lest we bec
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11-15-2011, 11:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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May be a silly question, is the ford tlr breaking system tied into the ABS. IS that why you cannot get the tlr breaks to lock? Just a thought.
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03 chevy tahoe and a tent for now 
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11-16-2011, 12:27 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Danville, IN
Posts: 46
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First, thanks for everyone for posting, like Yarcola, I'm happy to see that this isn't too uncommon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric_H_E
May be a silly question, is the ford tlr breaking system tied into the ABS. IS that why you cannot get the tlr breaks to lock? Just a thought.
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Eric, I'm no mechanic, but I would guess that the trailer braking system isn't attched in any way to the tow vehicle (Ford) ABS system.
__________________
US Army, Retired
2012 Jayco, Jay Feather Ultra Lite, 23B
2011 Ford F-150, XLT, Ecoboost
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