Trailer Brake settings?
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 1,280
You're missing the point entirely. The method you prescribed is one that is LIKELY to produce a locked trailer in a true panic stop. During the set-up phase, most drivers won't actully apply enough service brake to get the controller up to full output, whatever it may be set at. Using the manual controller FOR SET-UP PURPOSES will. I have not advocated or even suggested using the manual control for actual driving, so I don't know where you got that from.
I started at a Gain of 10, closed the lever and it locked up. Dropped down to 9.5, locked up. Rinse and repeat until it doesnt lock up. I think I even dropped it down an extra .5 to keep it from locking up in case i hit less grippy pavement than my original tests were conducted on.
After that the truck stopped as if it didnt have 5000 lbs behind it. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck then you may need to add a little more gain. It will be pretty apparent. I remember towing my dads 3 position ATV trailer, which was only around 3000 lbs loaded, and it would absolutely push the tow vehicle.
Last edited by mass-hole; Aug 14, 2017 at 03:13 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 584
Likes: 75
From: BC Canada
This is what I did when I picked up my new trailer the other day. First time towing with electric brakes but have towed with surge brakes.
I started at a Gain of 10, closed the lever and it locked up. Dropped down to 9.5, locked up. Rinse and repeat until it doesnt lock up. I think I even dropped it down an extra .5 to keep it from locking up in case i hit less grippy pavement than my original tests were conducted on.
After that the truck stopped as if it didnt have 5000 lbs behind it. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck then you may need to add a little more gain. It will be pretty apparent. I remember towing my dads 3 position ATV trailer, which was only around 3000 lbs loaded, and it would absolutely push the tow vehicle.
I started at a Gain of 10, closed the lever and it locked up. Dropped down to 9.5, locked up. Rinse and repeat until it doesnt lock up. I think I even dropped it down an extra .5 to keep it from locking up in case i hit less grippy pavement than my original tests were conducted on.
After that the truck stopped as if it didnt have 5000 lbs behind it. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck then you may need to add a little more gain. It will be pretty apparent. I remember towing my dads 3 position ATV trailer, which was only around 3000 lbs loaded, and it would absolutely push the tow vehicle.
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 970
From: Chico, Ca.
This is what I did when I picked up my new trailer the other day. First time towing with electric brakes but have towed with surge brakes.
I started at a Gain of 10, closed the lever and it locked up. Dropped down to 9.5, locked up. Rinse and repeat until it doesnt lock up. I think I even dropped it down an extra .5 to keep it from locking up in case i hit less grippy pavement than my original tests were conducted on.
After that the truck stopped as if it didnt have 5000 lbs behind it. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck then you may need to add a little more gain. It will be pretty apparent. I remember towing my dads 3 position ATV trailer, which was only around 3000 lbs loaded, and it would absolutely push the tow vehicle.
I started at a Gain of 10, closed the lever and it locked up. Dropped down to 9.5, locked up. Rinse and repeat until it doesnt lock up. I think I even dropped it down an extra .5 to keep it from locking up in case i hit less grippy pavement than my original tests were conducted on.
After that the truck stopped as if it didnt have 5000 lbs behind it. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck then you may need to add a little more gain. It will be pretty apparent. I remember towing my dads 3 position ATV trailer, which was only around 3000 lbs loaded, and it would absolutely push the tow vehicle.