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Trailer brakes??

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Old Apr 8, 2024 | 02:20 PM
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Trailer brakes??

Hello all have a stumper (atleast for me ) 23 350 crew cab diesel. 5th wheel is around 18k maybe lighter and only just under 2 years old. I have to set my brake controller to 10 and it still pushes a bit. Climbed under to adjust trailer brakes and saw I had the auto adjusting from the factory. I've talked to guys with same truck and they have theirs set to maybe 5-6 max with more weight. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2024 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Fmc128
Hello all have a stumper (atleast for me ) 23 350 crew cab diesel. 5th wheel is around 18k maybe lighter and only just under 2 years old. I have to set my brake controller to 10 and it still pushes a bit. Climbed under to adjust trailer brakes and saw I had the auto adjusting from the factory. I've talked to guys with same truck and they have theirs set to maybe 5-6 max with more weight. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
With the trailer hooked up on level ground, start pulling it at about 5mph, let off the gas and use the slide on the electric brake controller to engage the brakes. That’s the first thing to check to make sure there is power going to them. That should stop your movement
 
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Old Apr 8, 2024 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Fordtimes1
With the trailer hooked up on level ground, start pulling it at about 5mph, let off the gas and use the slide on the electric brake controller to engage the brakes. That’s the first thing to check to make sure there is power going to them. That should stop your movement
Yes it stops the truck when I do that but slowly my 450 would stop hard doing the same test
 
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Old Apr 8, 2024 | 04:04 PM
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On your truck TBC you can set the effort level of the gain (low, med, high).

Now on the trailer, even with the dexter adjustable brakes then need to be fairly well dialed in to begin with.

So if you lift each wheel of the trailer in the air and spin the tire, do you hear any drag at all? If not then adjust.
 
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Old Apr 8, 2024 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by senix
On your truck TBC you can set the effort level of the gain (low, med, high).

Now on the trailer, even with the dexter adjustable brakes then need to be fairly well dialed in to begin with.

So if you lift each wheel of the trailer in the air and spin the tire, do you hear any drag at all? If not then adjust.
Yes I'm on high
 
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Old Apr 9, 2024 | 10:35 AM
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I found on my Cardinal that the magnetic drum brakes just were not sufficient for these heavier rigs. My rig loaded is 16K. I know it doesnt help you right now, but consider switching to disc brakes. There is a company that has mobile crews that come to you to do the conversion. This is what I had done, and its a world of diffference, my controller is now down around 6-7.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2024 | 02:49 PM
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Your set to high and have done the slow brake test for lockup. You need to adjust the brakes & check the magnets are working. I hated the way my 14K 5W stopped with my 2022 F350 and did the disc brake mod, self installed $2000. Also did an up grade from 7K axles to 8K axles, $65 upgrade when I did mine, you get a larger outer bearing and 9/16 studs. My kit was from Performance Brakes.
 
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