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Old 05-28-2016, 10:19 AM   #1
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Break controller setting

Just picked up my 2015FC 28FT and dealer recommended a setting of 3 on the trailer breaking. (2500HD Chevy 2013, 6.0L gas). My old trailer (2014FC 23D) the dealer set the breaking at 5. Anyone have idea what the correct level should be without actually going through the on road test?
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Old 05-28-2016, 10:24 AM   #2
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I have a Suburban 3/4 ton and built in controller.

I have the setting at 3 and it seems to me, that's where it should be.

I too, had a FC23 FB and set the controller (not on a Suburban, but a MB GL 450) at 2.5.

Good luck!
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Old 05-28-2016, 10:28 AM   #3
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You need to set the controller to the setting that gives you the right amount of breaking.
Turn it up until the brakes lock up then turn it down to just below that so they don't lock up.
Every trailer is different and every truck will be different.
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Old 05-28-2016, 08:12 PM   #4
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Break controller setting

And every trailer load will be different and change overnight, it seems.

Need to check the setting every time as part of the getting under way checklist.


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Old 05-28-2016, 08:57 PM   #5
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We just check the setting each morning as we roll out of the campsite, and adjust as needed. I like to set it so when rolling ahead at engine idle speed, the manual brake controller almost brings the trailer to a stop but not quite. Then I may move it up or down a setting depending how it feels after going down the road awhile.

We have a Hensley style hitch, never had the "Hensley bump" from the brake setting a little low, where the truck is braking before or stronger than the trailer.

Experiment with it a little, you'll find a setting near perfect and can fine-tune it as you go along each day.
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Old 05-28-2016, 09:12 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
We just check the setting each morning as we roll out of the campsite, and adjust as needed. I like to set it so when rolling ahead at engine idle speed, the manual brake controller almost brings the trailer to a stop but not quite. Then I may move it up or down a setting depending how it feels after going down the road awhile.

We have a Hensley style hitch, never had the "Hensley bump" from the brake setting a little low, where the truck is braking before or stronger than the trailer.

Experiment with it a little, you'll find a setting near perfect and can fine-tune it as you go along each day.

We set ours up about the same way.....


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Old 05-28-2016, 09:21 PM   #7
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Controllers and brakes all vary. I have always read to get the rig up to 20-25 with the controller set at a midpoint and let off gas and squeeze the two tabs on controller together and see how the trailer stops the vehicle. If not stopping, up the number it's set at. If locking up the brakes, reduce the setting. Set at point it stops the vehicle and trailer smoothly in a reasonable amount of time without locking up trailer tires.

Chuck
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Old 05-28-2016, 09:47 PM   #8
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I've also found that little adjustments during the course of the day help refine the braking of the AS. Many times the AS brakes are a bit grabby on a wet morning, so I back off a little bit. As the day goes on, and the brakes warm and dry, I turn it up a little.

Just fine tuning a bit.


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Old 06-27-2016, 11:23 PM   #9
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The dealer had me do the drive test and gave me the min and max of the setting so I would feel the difference. There isn't an all one setting. I learned this on my last trip. As others have mentioned, it all depends. When I was going down the mountain from BigBear (back way), I set it to the highest setting and even used brake boost on certain areas on the way down. Once I am on the freeway, I set it to where it was balanced. Typically I leave as a freeway balanced setting. This is very apparent when driving slow, it is more jerky'er when driving slow.
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Old 06-28-2016, 04:52 AM   #10
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Disclaimer....we don't use integrated BC.

On level dry pavement, I start by setting the BC to hold the the rig in drive at idle.
The TruControl Gold will usually not require any further adjustment unless the load changes substantially.


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Old 06-28-2016, 05:50 AM   #11
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Do all brake controllers have the same scale? Because mine is 1-11, set at 5.5 by the dealer, and I adjusted it to 6.5.
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