How to adjust brake controller???
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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How to adjust brake controller???
08 f250, 4wd cc kr diesel
My boat trailer is getting totaled by the insurance company so I am planning to upgrade to electric brakes for the new trailer when I buy a new one. I have never used a TBC before. I think electric brakes will work better vs having to wait on the surge brakes to kick in.
Has anyone towed with surge and electric brakes?? Do you think the electric was better than surge?? Trying to debate if I should pay for this option with new trailer.
Any advise what to do for the first time when hooking up the trailer and adjusting the controller to work optimaly??
My boat trailer is getting totaled by the insurance company so I am planning to upgrade to electric brakes for the new trailer when I buy a new one. I have never used a TBC before. I think electric brakes will work better vs having to wait on the surge brakes to kick in.
Has anyone towed with surge and electric brakes?? Do you think the electric was better than surge?? Trying to debate if I should pay for this option with new trailer.
Any advise what to do for the first time when hooking up the trailer and adjusting the controller to work optimaly??
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Originally Posted by chi6488
08 f250, 4wd cc kr diesel
My boat trailer is getting totaled by the insurance company so I am planning to upgrade to electric brakes for the new trailer when I buy a new one. I have never used a TBC before. I think electric brakes will work better vs having to wait on the surge brakes to kick in.
Has anyone towed with surge and electric brakes?? Do you think the electric was better than surge?? Trying to debate if I should pay for this option with new trailer.
Any advise what to do for the first time when hooking up the trailer and adjusting the controller to work optimaly??
My boat trailer is getting totaled by the insurance company so I am planning to upgrade to electric brakes for the new trailer when I buy a new one. I have never used a TBC before. I think electric brakes will work better vs having to wait on the surge brakes to kick in.
Has anyone towed with surge and electric brakes?? Do you think the electric was better than surge?? Trying to debate if I should pay for this option with new trailer.
Any advise what to do for the first time when hooking up the trailer and adjusting the controller to work optimaly??
The electric brakes are IMO way better than hydrauilic surge due to they can be adjusted. (Boost Settings, Voltage) I use a Tekonsha controller and they advise to start at 6.0volts and take the rig up to 25mph and use the manual override to only use the brakes on the trailer. If the wheels lock-up you need less voltage if they don't you need more voltage. They say optimum voltage is right before trailer wheel lock-up. Boost settings are adjusted due to the size of the trailer.
With electric brakes boat trailer you just have to be sure to unplug them before launching the boat.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
I have a Tekonsha TBC on my truck as well for my 26' travel trailer. I don't know about the voltage thing (I spect my TBC is an older/cheaper model), but when I set mine, much as dkf said, you adjust the ***** until you can stop the trailer without locking up the brakes, but still where the trailer does a good amount of the stopping for you. Mine is still a little jerky, especially when pulling up slowly to a light or stop sign, but again, my controller is pretty much a bottom of the line jobber.
One recommendation, take the setup to a big empty parking lot (a school or stadium works great) to adjust the brakes. You have lots of room and can pretty much work it until you get it right.
Good catch about unplugging before launching. I don't have a boat with brakes, so I would have never thought of that. And I don't have to launch my trailer very often!
One recommendation, take the setup to a big empty parking lot (a school or stadium works great) to adjust the brakes. You have lots of room and can pretty much work it until you get it right.
Good catch about unplugging before launching. I don't have a boat with brakes, so I would have never thought of that. And I don't have to launch my trailer very often!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 476
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The electric brakes are better than surge. But, on a boat trailer (SO I WAS TOLD) it is better to go surge because having the trailer under water can short out electric or blow a fuse - even if you unplug the connector before backing down the ramp. The electric brakes are good unless they are submerged under water, rain storm is no problem.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: northern,california
I have surge brakes on my 30' boat trailer. I have never liked the way they work. I have electric brakes on my horse trailer and they work great. I would be careful with electric brakes when launching. I don't think they made to be submerged in water. Salt water would be very hard on them I may be wrong though I have been wrong before. I would check with the brake manufacturer and make sure they will work for boat trailers and in water. There is nothing like going down a steep grade and having you brakes fail. It has happened to me and it was quite stressful. You also must make sure that the bearings are submersible.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Originally Posted by DonJames
The electric brakes are better than surge. But, on a boat trailer (SO I WAS TOLD) it is better to go surge because having the trailer under water can short out electric or blow a fuse - even if you unplug the connector before backing down the ramp. The electric brakes are good unless they are submerged under water, rain storm is no problem.
edjunior,
The Prodigy and the P3 have the LCD voltage readout. I have the P3.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
As for using a TBC, tow your load down the road at 25 MPH or so, then activate your trailer brakes. Your trailer brakes should NOT lock up. If they do, back off the setting and try again. If they do not lock up, increase your setting until you see them lock up, then back off a bit.
Also, disconnect your trailer wiring when you are launching your boat, but you probably already do that anyway.
Also, disconnect your trailer wiring when you are launching your boat, but you probably already do that anyway.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I would actually stay away from electric brakes on boat trailers for the reasons mention already. If you do go with electric brakes(for whatever reason), then you at the very least well have to check them every season(more depending on how frequently you go) and I would say quite a bit of the time you will be replacing them pretty close to once a year(or having to be messing with them anyway). Giving that boats require a good bit of maintance themselves, I wouldn't want to have to deal with a boat and have to deal with something on the trailer hauling the boat. While in my opinion electric brakes are better(I love them on both the horse trailers) but in some cases(I think this being one of those) they just aren't practical, because you will forget on times to unplug them(I know I would), and after so long they will need to be fixed or replaced.
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