Better Braking??
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 241
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From: Redding, Ca USA
Better Braking??
Looking for some better braking for when I tow my travel trailer. When we go to the coast there is the dreaded 6 mile hill that is twisty turny. The brakes heat up and you can really smell them before we get to the bottom. The traivler was new last year, so I know the trailer brakes work good. Just looking for a little more stopping power from my truck. Upgrade the front rotors? Exhaust brake? Trans brake? What is out there for our trucks? The trailer weighs around 8200 lbs.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 241
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From: Redding, Ca USA
I did forget to say I had all new brakes put on last year before we went to the coast. The pedal feels a little soft, I would like it to feel more firm. Could I have a vaccum leak?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 414
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From: Lady Lake FL
If it stops fine without the trailer, I would have the trailer brakes checked. What type of brake controller are you using (they are not created equal). I have seen brand new trailers where the brakes are not functioning properly. Hook up your trailer, pull the emergency cord out and see if the brakes lock (should put full power to the brakes). Then try it again with it in and brake control manually engaged, should be the same. If not your controller may be your problem. With my p/u camper and trailer with Jeep on board I run almost 17k lbs and have no issues on Colorado mountain passes.
Good Luck
Paul
Good Luck
Paul
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
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From: Ashland City, TN
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Redding, Ca USA
Thnx for the replies. My pedal goes down and stays down. No need to pump. The trailer brakes seem to work fine. Brake controller is in good working order. If I increase the trailer brake controller the trailer brakes will grab hard. I guess I need to just figure out a sweet spot on the controller where the trailer brakes work properly. Maybe I will take it in before the coast trip and have the brakes checked. I don't have the resources to spend a $1000 on rear disks for the truck. Also, how do I find out the towing capacity on my truck? Is it on the sticker on the door jam?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
My DP tuner has a setting that is exhaust brake, and its pretty nice. Takes a second to kick in but on long hills its nice to have.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 104
From: Ashland City, TN
Your just burning away fuel.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
I have to say. I have Never been a fan of electric brake controllers. If you have them set too high, they are to aggressive for normal driving. If you have them set too low thy are not effective in a panic stop.
The best brake controller I have found(out of about 8-10 different ones) is the MAXXBRAKE. It is the MOST SIMPLE design on the market and it also the same design the the auto manufactures now use from the factory. No need to have some sophisticated BS that doesnt work.
The MAXXBRAKE reads brake pressure at the mater cylinder(of the tow vehicle) then sends equivalent voltage to the trailer). SO that way when you are are on the brakes easy, little voltage goes to the trailer, BUT in a panic stop and you JAM the brake pedal, FULL voltage goes to the trailer. NO pendulum or other electric brake controller can do that
On top of that it also has a parking brake feature. That means you can set the trailer brakes and it will hold them untill you release them or battery voltage goes below 10.5 Volts. Very handy for loading and unloading equipment on a trailer, especially on any sort of grade
The best brake controller I have found(out of about 8-10 different ones) is the MAXXBRAKE. It is the MOST SIMPLE design on the market and it also the same design the the auto manufactures now use from the factory. No need to have some sophisticated BS that doesnt work.
The MAXXBRAKE reads brake pressure at the mater cylinder(of the tow vehicle) then sends equivalent voltage to the trailer). SO that way when you are are on the brakes easy, little voltage goes to the trailer, BUT in a panic stop and you JAM the brake pedal, FULL voltage goes to the trailer. NO pendulum or other electric brake controller can do that
On top of that it also has a parking brake feature. That means you can set the trailer brakes and it will hold them untill you release them or battery voltage goes below 10.5 Volts. Very handy for loading and unloading equipment on a trailer, especially on any sort of grade
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Lansdale, PA
Like the oldschool hydraulic brake controllers. Sweet. Ill look into that.
I've saved a few of the old ones that tap into brake pressure and use a wound coil inline to adjust trailer brake max voltage. They work great even for being 20+ years old.
I didn't know they made new modern ones.
I've saved a few of the old ones that tap into brake pressure and use a wound coil inline to adjust trailer brake max voltage. They work great even for being 20+ years old.
I didn't know they made new modern ones.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Like the oldschool hydraulic brake controllers. Sweet. Ill look into that.
I've saved a few of the old ones that tap into brake pressure and use a wound coil inline to adjust trailer brake max voltage. They work great even for being 20+ years old.
I didn't know they made new modern ones.
I've saved a few of the old ones that tap into brake pressure and use a wound coil inline to adjust trailer brake max voltage. They work great even for being 20+ years old.
I didn't know they made new modern ones.
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