Please share your Trailer Brake Gain Settings

[caboob]

Ram1500, Sport22, gain setting 4.5. May up it to 5.5 in the mountains

[perryg114]

Gain is something you set according to lockup. Then there is boost. I am using a P3. I think my gain is around 5 but it will change over time as things wear. Boost I usually set to 2 or 3. I lower it in stop and go traffic because it tends to be too much at slow speeds. So using the same gain setting as someone else is not a wise thing to do. If you are maxing out your gain to get lockup then you have some problems.



Perry

[cazual6]

Short Answer: Higher on faster speeds, lower on lower speeds, there is not one setting you leave it on.

[Belbein]

My rig is the same as Gulliver. I've not towed much with it, but now set the gain at 7. Might go up, or down, depending on my experience.

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by Dan and Liz

I adjust the gain at the beginning of each trip until it “feels right.” Fairly low in town so there’s no jerk, then much higher on the highway. Modulate it down if the road is wet. I really don’t know what the numbers are ...

I do much the same, setting so I’m not jerked out the windshield!

[WhereStream]

So, how is this "check the brakes" accomplished?

I have a new tow vehicle, a Ford Expedition, and will need to set the brake controller when I put the Ford to use for the first time in a few weeks.

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

So, how is this "check the brakes" accomplished?

I have a new tow vehicle, a Ford Expedition, and will need to set the brake controller when I put the Ford to use for the first time in a few weeks.

Lots of threads on that, here is one, mainly don't want the trailer locking up before you have full braking on TV, but sometimes you want more or less like descents or wet conditions. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ng-107699.html

My idea here was to share data so folks might see if they are at similar settings to others. Seems so far like Toyota is the outlier with relatively high settings required, but if it works at 9.5 nothing wrong with that.

I would bet that within ten years we will be seeing many trailers with ABS disk brakes.

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

What brake controller? Toyota Tacoma, FC20, Tekonsha P3, gain set at 9.5.

SC, I'm in the same controller model and maybe similar brake system in highlander but about 8.7 boost include somewhat inconsistent lockup at 20 mph on gravel...stopped at 8.7, but thought about going higher. Used to run at 6.2 boost level 1 gain. Broke a tension spring on a hard emer brake so backed of the boost and upped the gain.
B

[Life is a Highway]

Ford F-250 Flying Cloud 25 ft

Brake gain set at 4.5

[guskmg]

GMC 3/4 HD Duramax, DirecLinc Controller, Gain setting 5.
guskmg

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, tow your trailer for a few miles making normal stops just to warm up the trailer brakes. On a paved road or parking lot, [NOT GRAVEL] tow your trailer to 25 MPH and manually apply the trailer brakes. You want it set just below the lock up point. If it doesn't skid, slowly turn up the gain until it does, then back off a few points. example: [brakes lock up at 5.2 reduce it to 5.0]

If your trailer brakes lock up during the 25 MPH test, back off a few points until it won't lock up. This is where you want it.

There is no magic number per set up. Two of the same trailers might weigh different, have different tires, have brakes adjusted differently Etc.

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

On a paved road or parking lot, [NOT GRAVEL] tow your trailer to 25 MPH and manually apply the trailer brakes.

That's how the Tekonsha P3 manual says it should be done. I tried setting on gravel as many people suggest but that felt very inadequate when making a rapid stop on pavement.

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

Seems so far like Toyota is the outlier with relatively high settings required, but if it works at 9.5 nothing wrong with that.

The reason I asked "what brake controller?" in my first post is the Tekonsha P3 gains setting goes to 0-14. Comparing that to other people's gain settings may be apples to oranges if a different controller goes to 10 or some other number like an output percentage from 0%-100%.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by smithcreek

The reason I asked "what brake controller?" in my first post is the Tekonsha P3 gains setting goes to 0-14. Comparing that to other people's gain settings may be apples to oranges if a different controller goes to 10 or some other number like an output percentage from 0%-100%.

Well noted. Mine goes from 0-100. Maxbrake. IIRC I'm running upper 20's with Dexter disc brakes.

Lots of variables in saying this is what it SHOULD be for rig A vs B.

But I think the takeaway should be MORE brake system awareness by owners.

[Ccomono]

2019 Ford F-250 gas. 3.0 for a 30' AS Signature with no water or very much other weight on board.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

Lots of threads on that, here is one, mainly don't want the trailer locking up before you have full braking on TV, but sometimes you want more or less like descents or wet conditions. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ng-107699.html

My idea here was to share data so folks might see if they are at similar settings to others. Seems so far like Toyota is the outlier with relatively high settings required, but if it works at 9.5 nothing wrong with that.

I would bet that within ten years we will be seeing many trailers with ABS disk brakes.

Hi

As noted in other postings, there is no set "max" for controllers. If yours goes to 1000 and mine goes to 5, we are going to have different settings. There also is no guarantee that they are linear. The "boost" settings on some controllers are an example of this.

On top of that, there is no one agreed on way to set the brakes. Getting into that would very much clutter this thread. It also might quickly turn into a "best truck" sort of debate. Even with what *might* be the same controller (same truck, but what year??) the settings are sort of all over the place.

Bob

[Bmccorm]

2019 F250 with a 25’ Safari. Gain is usually between 4.5 and 5.5. Set it at the beginning of every trip based on engaging and feel. This also verifies brakes are working properly...

[Jimbob24]

f150 max tow. 25 FB.
OEM brake controller.
i had it lower on my trip out west but my truck brakes warped pretty quickly. i then put it to 10 so the trailer brakes do more work. seems to work well. brakes seem to last longer.

[drbrick]

we set ours at 5.0 OEM controller

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by Jimbob24

f150 max tow. 25 FB.
OEM brake controller.
i had it lower on my trip out west but my truck brakes warped pretty quickly. i then put it to 10 so the trailer brakes do more work. seems to work well. brakes seem to last longer.

You're set at 10 out of 10?

Might want to inspect brake adjustment and condition.

If you're controller maxes out at 10 remember there ain't no 11.

YMMV

[jcanavera]

Brake control gain settings are individual and should be customized for your specific tow vehicle. There are many factors involved that would make a generic setting inappropriate for your combo.

They way I was taught way back in the early 80's with my first trailer with brakes was the following.

I loaded my trailer up with it's normal load and hitched up and drove to an empty flat parking lot. I drove on the lot at a very low speed (about 10 mph) and manually used the brake control lever or button to engage the trailer brakes fully (without stepping on the brake pedal). If the trailer brakes don't lock up, you increase the gain slightly and repeat. Once you get the trailer brakes to lock, back off the gain so that you get the maximum amount of braking without locking up the trailer brakes. Typically that's where you leave it.

Occasionally I will check that adjustment out to account for road conditions and the wear on the brakes themselves prior to their next adjustment. Once you get that set and I get out on the road again I will tweak that adjustment if I feel it's too aggressive on a slight brake pedal depression or not aggressive enough.

Using someone else's recommendation other than where to start testing at is not a good practice. I have mine set where when doing a light press on the brake pedal, I can feel the trailer providing a noticeable braking effect.

I have a friend with a GMC pickup who bought a trailer and hitch from Camping World. I immediately drove the truck and trailer across the parking lot and noticed they made no adjustment in the gain in the factory controller. If left alone essentially the trailer brakes would have provided minimal braking assistance. I set it up properly and I know her brakes are truly support a proper braking effort.

Jack