Brake controlers

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Wellibe

Yes, I'm aware of how the manual slider works and how to adjust my brake controller. I have it dialed in to where I'm reasonably happy with it.

I was responding to Ray's statement that the trailer brakes should apply first. That is physically impossible unless you are going to reach out and grab the slider every time you go to put on brakes.

Trailer electric brakes see power just as soon as the brake pedal moves, before tow vehicle hyd. brakes begin to apply, depending on gain adjustment setting. Too aggressive gain setting causes the jerking felt from the trailer brakes.
Electric brake controllers sold 50 years ago were very bad about causing trailer jerking.

[Wellibe]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Trailer electric brakes see power just as soon as the brake pedal moves, before tow vehicle hyd. brakes begin to apply, depending on gain adjustment setting. Too aggressive gain setting causes the jerking felt from the trailer brakes.
Electric brake controllers sold 50 years ago were very bad about causing trailer jerking.

I suppose integrated setups may differ among truck manufacturers, but that definitely is not the case with my F150. If I touch the brake pedal, truck brakes are applied, albeit very lightly. So there's no way the trailer brakes are going to get ahead of the truck brakes. In addition, the controller doesn't send any voltage to the trailer brakes under very light braking. Turning up the gain doesn't change that.

Obviously an aftermarket proportional controller can't get ahead of the truck brakes, as it needs to "feel" the truck starting to slow down to trigger voltage to the trailer brakes.

[Btheresoon]

Thanks for the info and input. I feel like I am a little more informed on this issue. Hopefully this has been informative for others as well. I have generally had a trailer shop do all my maintenance (I did have to change the whole brake assembly while out on a trip) but thought I should verify everything myself.
You all have confirmed that.
Last summer we hade a deer jump out in front of us an around 50 mph, jammed the brakes hard. The rv wheels actually locked up, stoped on a dime! My concern is with slow gradual braking such as a long down hill. I guess I’m being pretty picky? Just want em when I want em😃
I have been towing boats, heavy equipment trailers and RV’s for 40 years and always been confident that the set up was good and( knock on wood) never have had any issues. I’ve not gotten to that level of confidence with this set up yet but will keep on it till I am.
I’m still concerned for other rv’ers out the that are unaware of all the dynamics of towing and I don’t think this type of controller is helpful. I feel terrible for people who end up in a bad situation when a simple little device could have prevented it from happening. Such as the downhill sway. Obviously we don’t have sway with the fifth wheel but is is a very real thing for some.

As always, the IRV2 members are the go to source for great information.

So appreciate everyone’s help and support.