Trailer Brake Effort vs Initial Output

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Sep 1, 2015 | 04:03 AM

buzam

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Joined: Aug 2015

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Trailer Brake Effort vs Initial Output

I currently have my trailer brake effort set to the stock setting of LOW, my Gain is maxed out at 10 and my travel trailer brakes feel pretty muted. What can I expect if I up the Effort to Medium? What's the difference between adjusting the Effort vs Initial Output the owners manual is a little vague on this so I'd like some real world input.

thanks
Scott

2015 F250 6.2L

Sep 1, 2015 | 07:26 AM

Good listener

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Joined: Feb 2015

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From: Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzam

Just try the different settings. I ended on using the highest setting in the Driver assist mode because I found it to react faster at a lower setting giving me a more normal "feel" when braking. My trailer is 8000lbs and the braking feels the same as when it is off the truck. Too many variables to give you a finite setting. You won't hurt anything by trying each setting out until you settle on the one that you like the best. The menu needs to be in the Truck Apps; many folks don't even know it exists.

Sep 1, 2015 | 07:35 AM

Tom

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Isanti, MN

Now this is interesting. I've had a few trucks with the IBC, with the most recent being a 2013, and none of these had these settings. I wish they would have!

I just looked up your owner's manual, and here's my interpretation. The initial voltage is what gets applied when the brake circuit is energized. This typically happens when the brake lights come on, and is very light. The controller ramps up voltage based on hydraulic pressure coming off the master cylinder. With no pressure at all it'll still send the initial voltage.

I believe the pedal effort setting changes how fast the trailer brake voltage ramps up in proportion to your truck's brake pressures. I always thought voltage ramped up later than I would have liked on the trucks I've had, so it's nice to see you can change this. I like to see the trailer brake as hard as the truck even on low applications.

Play with the settings and let us know what you think!