Ford Brake Controller e/h brakes
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Ford Brake Controller e/h brakes
Has anybody out there had any luck with using the integrated brake controller with electric over hydraulic trailer brakes - specifically Dexter? I've done my best to research this but all I can come up with is Ford says it hasnt tested this but it should work. Dexter says it should but the unit is new and when I hit the brakes it takes a couple seconds for the brakes to activate on the trailer. I've checked everything I could using the Dexters manual. The problem is I dont know if it should even work. Any help is appreciated. I'd sure hate to have to install another controller when I've got one I already paid for.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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I've got that combo on my rig. The problem is not the Ford controller, it's the disk brak actuator on the trailer. It takes time for the motor to spin up to apply hydraulic pressure to the trailer brakes. It takes some getting used to, but I love the way I can stop my 26,000 lb rig with 10 sets of discs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
The dexter setup is a nice setup. Ford says it has not been tested for that type of use but it does work well. I only have one trailer like that and it takes a second or two for the actuator to kick in.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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When using a TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) or surge brakes, you have what is called brake lag. But first, brake reaction time is the time from when your brain realizes you need to stop and the time it takes for your foot to actually press on the brake. Brake lag is the time it takes from when you press on the brake to when the vehicle actually applies the brakes. So when you haul a trailer that has brakes or no brakes (& depending on weight) you need to forsee a stop comming and apply the brakes earlier, it is best to be safe than sorry. I have heard of guys slamming on their brakes at the last minute & to find out that the TBC for some reason has decided to all of a sudden not work - thats a bad day. Per my dealer, if there is a last minute PCM issue of any kind, the TowCommand will stop working.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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An update: I'm just finishing a 4,000 mile trip. I've now got my rig setup so that when I hit the brakes, I can actually feel the truck brakes start to take hold. Shortly after that (depending on the situation*), the trailer brakes engage and at the same time, the transmission downshifts and the engine braking starts working to slow me down too.
*Definition of "shortly": (1) in a normal stop, about 1 to 1.5 seconds. (2) in a panic stop, a lifetime!
*Definition of "shortly": (1) in a normal stop, about 1 to 1.5 seconds. (2) in a panic stop, a lifetime!
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