Difficult to slow down my rig.
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FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Difficult to slow down my rig.
Im having troubles to slow down my rig in a freeway, towing a TT about 6k, it has 2 axles but only one with electric brakes; I was thinking to add a Hydroboost brake to the truck and add a 2nd axle with electric brakes. What do you think? Thanks in advance.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Definately ad brakes to the remaining axle and check your current brakes. You should replace the shoes on the old brakes when you get the new ones. Get a GOOD brake controller. We sell the TruControl, which puts out more power than anything on the market and is completely automatic. Other good choices are BrakeSmart, which taps into the master cylinder. Prodigy and P3 are the standards. Acceptable but not the best out there.
The controller that's advertised on this forum is essentially the same as the Brakesmart but much less expensive. I haven't tried that one myself but have heard good things so far.
Those are the first two things you should take care of, then determine if you need anything else.
The controller that's advertised on this forum is essentially the same as the Brakesmart but much less expensive. I haven't tried that one myself but have heard good things so far.
Those are the first two things you should take care of, then determine if you need anything else.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
I've been very happy with the Prodigy, $100. I'm not convinced the benefit is THAT much more for an extra $300. I tow much heavier loads and its never let me down, and has always delivered enough power to stop the load and ALWAYS had more in reserve just a lever away.
Definately consider replacing that axle with a new braking axle, and get the other brake checked out to make sure its still opperating correctly and at capacity.
Definately consider replacing that axle with a new braking axle, and get the other brake checked out to make sure its still opperating correctly and at capacity.
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FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
grafekie thank you very much for your input, and definately Im going to start replacing that axle with a new braking axle and let see what happens, and after that I will upgrade the brake controller.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, KY
Great! Remember, the problem may be as simple as an old drum and worn pads, or shot magnets, or something along those lines. Between checking the old axle and replacing the non-braking one, you may see a world of difference!
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Definately. It's amazing what trailer manufacturers will do to cut corners. Prodigy makes a good controller, but it will max out at 18Amps. TruControl will hit 48. Overkill, yes, but no one will ever see power fade with it.
Just get those brakes installed!
Just get those brakes installed!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Check the axle you have, it may well be a bolt on addition. If you have the flange behind the hub with 4 bolt holes, then all you need to get is the backing plates and drum/hub. The axle itself will not need replaced. All the same, I would guess the controller you have is either not adjusted up high enough, or not enough output. I have had that kind of load on trailers before and stopped fine.
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FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
fellro86 thanks for your comments, but NO, the axle doesnt have that flange with 4 bolt holes. 
. How can I test the output, because I think it is adjusted high enough, according with the instructions.
And what about to add a Hydroboost brake to the truck? good idea? any thougths?
. How can I test the output, because I think it is adjusted high enough, according with the instructions.And what about to add a Hydroboost brake to the truck? good idea? any thougths?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
It would apply more pressure to the truck's brakes, but that likely isn't the issue.
the output will vary on the manual part, as well as the automatic part. If you have the manual switch, it should start at low voltage and raise to 12 volt. The automatic part, depending on how your controller works, will vary either by the amount of time applies, or the amount of inertia when you hit the brakes, up to 12 volt.
Question: how do your brakes feel? Are they pretty stiff, or do they feel normal? If stiff and kind of hard to apply, your vacuum pump may be going out, or failed.
the output will vary on the manual part, as well as the automatic part. If you have the manual switch, it should start at low voltage and raise to 12 volt. The automatic part, depending on how your controller works, will vary either by the amount of time applies, or the amount of inertia when you hit the brakes, up to 12 volt.
Question: how do your brakes feel? Are they pretty stiff, or do they feel normal? If stiff and kind of hard to apply, your vacuum pump may be going out, or failed.
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