Trailer brake effort setting
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: IL
Trailer brake effort setting
Probably should be in towing but lots of diesel owners tow deciding this would be a good place to start. Two weeks ago traded a 2011 f250 6.7 to a 2015 f250 6.7. Same trailer but braking isn't aggressive in fact I didn't think the controller worked. Took to trailer company said check out fine but brake controller bad. Took to ford said all checked out bringing me to my question what setting will give me the best feel of trailer brake assistance using the trailer brake setting, low, medium or high.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 17
I'm assuming you're talking about the built-in trailer brake... Mine doesn't have a high, medium, or low setting... just 0 to 10. I currently have mine at 7.5 (I think). It may be at 8. My trailer dealer said to just set it to what feels right... I thought 'great' as I pulled away with my fiver for the first time, never having towed one before, so what exactly does 'right' feel like?
But I knew. You'll feel it. Start it at five and apply the brakes... If you get the sense that you're being pushed, take it up half a notch and reapply the brakes. Same thing? What you're looking for is the truck to not even feel like there is anything back there... no push, no pull. It should feel even. I got up to 8.5 and on a hard brake, the middle tires of my triple axle locked up. I knew that was definitely too high. Backed it off until I feel I got it right.
It's been fine for three seasons.
But I knew. You'll feel it. Start it at five and apply the brakes... If you get the sense that you're being pushed, take it up half a notch and reapply the brakes. Same thing? What you're looking for is the truck to not even feel like there is anything back there... no push, no pull. It should feel even. I got up to 8.5 and on a hard brake, the middle tires of my triple axle locked up. I knew that was definitely too high. Backed it off until I feel I got it right.
It's been fine for three seasons.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: IL
I'm assuming you're talking about the built-in trailer brake... Mine doesn't have a high, medium, or low setting... just 0 to 10. I currently have mine at 7.5 (I think). It may be at 8. My trailer dealer said to just set it to what feels right... I thought 'great' as I pulled away with my fiver for the first time, never having towed one before, so what exactly does 'right' feel like?
But I knew. You'll feel it. Start it at five and apply the brakes... If you get the sense that you're being pushed, take it up half a notch and reapply the brakes. Same thing? What you're looking for is the truck to not even feel like there is anything back there... no push, no pull. It should feel even. I got up to 8.5 and on a hard brake, the middle tires of my triple axle locked up. I knew that was definitely too high. Backed it off until I feel I got it right.
It's been fine for three seasons.
But I knew. You'll feel it. Start it at five and apply the brakes... If you get the sense that you're being pushed, take it up half a notch and reapply the brakes. Same thing? What you're looking for is the truck to not even feel like there is anything back there... no push, no pull. It should feel even. I got up to 8.5 and on a hard brake, the middle tires of my triple axle locked up. I knew that was definitely too high. Backed it off until I feel I got it right.
It's been fine for three seasons.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 832
Likes: 110
Ignore my signature, I now have a 15 dually 350.
On a gravel surface, set the 0-10 upwards until you are just able to lock up the trailer at 15 mph using the manual trailer brake only, then drop down 1/2 setting (if lock at 8, drop down to 7.5). If brakes need adjustment when you first do this, and you subsequently do so, you might need to back it down a bit, or try the 15mph setup again. Then go into the low, medium, and high setting. It probably has to be a pretty light trailer for "low" to do anything. I use high for 17k. Also, don't forget the electric over hydraulic setting if you have disc brakes. However, you see this as an option only when you have a trailer plugged into the truck.
On a gravel surface, set the 0-10 upwards until you are just able to lock up the trailer at 15 mph using the manual trailer brake only, then drop down 1/2 setting (if lock at 8, drop down to 7.5). If brakes need adjustment when you first do this, and you subsequently do so, you might need to back it down a bit, or try the 15mph setup again. Then go into the low, medium, and high setting. It probably has to be a pretty light trailer for "low" to do anything. I use high for 17k. Also, don't forget the electric over hydraulic setting if you have disc brakes. However, you see this as an option only when you have a trailer plugged into the truck.
My 2011 didn't have the low medium high setting just the 0-10, 2015 has 0-10 plus in the productivity that's where you set the trailer brake effort.....confusing. Currently my trailer is pushing me but based on ford service ibc is working so back to the trailer brakes. Thanks for your feedback.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
So y'all know, this is new for 2015 I believe.
I keep mine in the medium range and with the 5 trailers I tug around I vary the setting from 4-10, depending on how it feels, etc...
I think you just need to hook up and play with it in a parking lot somewhere. Just be careful you don't overheat the brake drums. (Usually an issue when backing up a lot using the brake to keep a low speed). Also, the very last thing you'll ever want to do is lock up your trailer brakes in the rain, so don't get too aggressive.
I keep mine in the medium range and with the 5 trailers I tug around I vary the setting from 4-10, depending on how it feels, etc...
I think you just need to hook up and play with it in a parking lot somewhere. Just be careful you don't overheat the brake drums. (Usually an issue when backing up a lot using the brake to keep a low speed). Also, the very last thing you'll ever want to do is lock up your trailer brakes in the rain, so don't get too aggressive.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: IL
So y'all know, this is new for 2015 I believe.
I keep mine in the medium range and with the 5 trailers I tug around I vary the setting from 4-10, depending on how it feels, etc...
I think you just need to hook up and play with it in a parking lot somewhere. Just be careful you don't overheat the brake drums. (Usually an issue when backing up a lot using the brake to keep a low speed). Also, the very last thing you'll ever want to do is lock up your trailer brakes in the rain, so don't get too aggressive.
I keep mine in the medium range and with the 5 trailers I tug around I vary the setting from 4-10, depending on how it feels, etc...
I think you just need to hook up and play with it in a parking lot somewhere. Just be careful you don't overheat the brake drums. (Usually an issue when backing up a lot using the brake to keep a low speed). Also, the very last thing you'll ever want to do is lock up your trailer brakes in the rain, so don't get too aggressive.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I don't know how it works technically. I've never tried messing with it since my setting in medium works nice enough for me.
My assumption is that setting on high would mean that there is more gain in the current going to the brakes. So, let's pretend that instead of setting the gain from 0-30 they just broke it down into 3 settings. Or, it could be stepped like 0-10 in low, 5-15 in medium, 10-20 in high. I really don't know the correct answer and if I knew electronics better I could just use a multi meter and figure it out by reading the current sent to the trailer brakes.
My assumption is that setting on high would mean that there is more gain in the current going to the brakes. So, let's pretend that instead of setting the gain from 0-30 they just broke it down into 3 settings. Or, it could be stepped like 0-10 in low, 5-15 in medium, 10-20 in high. I really don't know the correct answer and if I knew electronics better I could just use a multi meter and figure it out by reading the current sent to the trailer brakes.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 296
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
Where exactly is this setting found. I cannot find it. I know it states in the manual on page 200 it can be adjusted but not where to find the adjustment.
Edited to add: I found it. Settings, Driver Assist. Why wouldn't they have put that in the TBC options instead of hiding it under something not related?
Edited to add: I found it. Settings, Driver Assist. Why wouldn't they have put that in the TBC options instead of hiding it under something not related?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 27
From: Brighton CO.
Towing my Voltage 3605 with a dry weight of 13,260 and a pin weight (dry) 2,926 i'm on setting 8. There is a procedure for setting and testing the trailer brakes in the manual. I had to find it my self just the other day when we were headed to the lake.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: S/E Michigan
Just played with this last weekend.
15 F-350 w/ 32ft Ft wheel, about 12K lbs.
The Test
Gravel Road. All test 10-15MPH to 0.
Using the Brake Controller ONLY / Manually. (AKA did not touch Truck Brakes)
Setting Low / Gain 10. Almost No Trailer Brakes.
Setting Med / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, slowed down but no lock up.
Setting High / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, LOCKED UP Instantly.
My Final Setting for the 5th wheel
Setting High / Gain 6.5 Just the right balance.
15 F-350 w/ 32ft Ft wheel, about 12K lbs.
The Test
Gravel Road. All test 10-15MPH to 0.
Using the Brake Controller ONLY / Manually. (AKA did not touch Truck Brakes)
Setting Low / Gain 10. Almost No Trailer Brakes.
Setting Med / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, slowed down but no lock up.
Setting High / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, LOCKED UP Instantly.
My Final Setting for the 5th wheel
Setting High / Gain 6.5 Just the right balance.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: IL
Just played with this last weekend.
15 F-350 w/ 32ft Ft wheel, about 12K lbs.
The Test
Gravel Road. All test 10-15MPH to 0.
Using the Brake Controller ONLY / Manually. (AKA did not touch Truck Brakes)
Setting Low / Gain 10. Almost No Trailer Brakes.
Setting Med / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, slowed down but no lock up.
Setting High / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, LOCKED UP Instantly.
My Final Setting for the 5th wheel
Setting High / Gain 6.5 Just the right balance.
15 F-350 w/ 32ft Ft wheel, about 12K lbs.
The Test
Gravel Road. All test 10-15MPH to 0.
Using the Brake Controller ONLY / Manually. (AKA did not touch Truck Brakes)
Setting Low / Gain 10. Almost No Trailer Brakes.
Setting Med / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, slowed down but no lock up.
Setting High / Gain 10. Trailer Brakes, LOCKED UP Instantly.
My Final Setting for the 5th wheel
Setting High / Gain 6.5 Just the right balance.
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