Possible Intergrated Brake Controller Problem
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Possible Intergrated Brake Controller Problem
I just got my travel trailer out of storage and tried to set up the brake controller with the travel trailer. I coulfd not get the brakes to lock even at the +10 gain. I thought it was a brake adjustment for my trailer so I had the brakes adjusted and still no lock up of wheels even on the +10gain level. I had the wheels lifted on the trailer and had jumped the brake and battery from the trailer seven pin harness and the brakes lock. The trailer being in working order tends to leave me with the idea that the integrated brake controller is not working properly. Any ideas? Does the brake controller have to be flashed or updated ? The brakes are applying on the trailer when its hooked up to the truck, but I can not get the trailer brakes to lock when adjusting the controller.
I have searched the threads in this forum and found no answer.
2010 F150 Max Tow Package.
I have searched the threads in this forum and found no answer.
2010 F150 Max Tow Package.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 28
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I might be wrong but I though that the brake controler uses vehicle speed and user brakeing to adjust how hard it applies the brakes. My 20' utility trailer does the same. I can hold down the slide switch and the brakes don't lock up all the way but the sure do work well when im cruisin and have to stop quick. Somebody will chime in soon.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 127
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From: SAN ANTONIO , TX
Lock up is actually the way your suppose to adjust the tbc. when i set mine i started on +6 then speed up to 30mph and activated slider without touching truck's brakes.untill my trailer brakes locked up then i backed off one number at a time till they stopped locking up. after that it worked awesome.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: NC
Procedure for adjusting GAIN:
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Procedure for adjusting GAIN:
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
I think you bolded the wrong part Shotgunz, shoulda bolded:
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: NC
Good point and very possible. Obviously it depends on the trailer and the brakes.
Since I've seen a number posts where owners do not get up to speed and try to adjust the lockup, I figured I 'remind' the OP of the speed requirement.
Since I've seen a number posts where owners do not get up to speed and try to adjust the lockup, I figured I 'remind' the OP of the speed requirement.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
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Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 889
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From: Land of 10,000 Lakes
Procedure for adjusting GAIN:
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Note: This should only be performed in a traffic free environment at
speeds of approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working condition,
functioning normally, and properly adjusted. See your trailer dealer if
necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric brakes is plugged in, the trailer connection
indicator will illuminate blue on the TBC and the GAIN setting display
will illuminate.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/–) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer-wheel lockup. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup
may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I have mine set at +4.5 with a 5,500 lb travel trailer behind it. I went from a Prodigy to the new intergrated brake control and, the jury is still out (IMO).
You should be able to put a volt meter on the round plug and get sometype of voltage out of the connector. This would atleast tell you if it's getting back to your trailer.
You should be able to put a volt meter on the round plug and get sometype of voltage out of the connector. This would atleast tell you if it's getting back to your trailer.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yep the mechanic and I rtfm. The trailer is about 4500lbs and I did follow the normal procedures (done hundreds of times) on setting the controller and I still can not get a lock. The trailer is in the shop to see if the brake actuator requires adjustment or other. However I did not see this in the manual "If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10". The definition of heaveir is pretty vague.