Posted 2009-06-15 11:27 AM (#106465) Subject: Brakes
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1069 Location: MI.
Ok, I set my conroller so it grabs just right. When I approach a stop light/sign, I apply my brakes enough to slow down well before actually stopping and they are fine. I go to apply the brakes a second time for a complete stop and my truck gets jerked like the brakes are set too high. Also, if I am driving at a low speed (back roads/camp sites) I have to lower the controller setting otherwise it seems to want to grab too much. I checked the controller without applying the brakes, and it grabs enough to slow me down without jerking my truck so why is it over grabbing when I apply my truck brakes at a lower speed? I am a little confused by this. The controller is a Reese Brakeman Digital.
Posted 2009-06-15 12:19 PM (#106475 - in reply to #106465) Subject: RE: Brakes
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
What you are experiencing is common among the time based brake controllers. There are several reasons as to the cause of the jerking, which I wont go into as they all pale compared to the fact time based controllers a dangerous to begin with.
Here is a previous post of mine covering this topic;
Originally written by chadsalt on 2008-09-24 6:54 AM
Originally written by genebob on 2008-09-23 10:44 PM
Chad- please explain. I've been using this controller for seven years with a he** of a lot of miles on it. Never had any problems. I guess you could say that may be because I consider myself a safe driver. But .... then again maybe not ... Who knows.
Long story short, it has nothing to do with being a safe driver.......I know plenty of people who have hauled years without brakes and never had a "problem". The simple fact you (and others) use a timer controller puts you in my dangerous driver category. Nothing personal, I just dont want you behind me.
The basic difference between junk timer controller and proportional is; in an emergency the timer still ramps up brake power in a "normal stop" time frame.......that is no good. The proportional controllers will respond with max brake power immediately when the emergency calls for it. How would you feel if your truck took 5-10 seconds to get full braking power? The wreck would be all over by the time the brakes came on full.
Do yourself/us a favor a get a Prodigy or equiv. controller, you'll notice a difference. Ive guided many people in the "good controller" search (both on the web and the real world), never a complaint from any of them, most thank me. A Prodigy can generally be had on Ebay for around $100.
Posted 2009-06-15 9:17 PM (#106508 - in reply to #106465) Subject: RE: Brakes
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Also, you may want to consider Maxbrake or a Brakesmart. They are the best out there and your trailer will stop with your truck. If you ever use one you will never go back to a time based unit or even the Prodigy. They are excellent....
Posted 2010-06-02 7:54 AM (#120826 - in reply to #106465) Subject: RE: Brakes
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Pikesville, MD
I have a similar situation, but I have a Prodigy controller.
I have a 2009 Chevy Tahoe 4 WD truck and I pull an aluminum skin 2 horse bumper pull w/small tack room. When I have two horses in it, I set the controller on Boost 1.
I calibrate the controller at 25 mps as directed, and the stopping ability is on par with what I experienced with my older, smaller trailer. But when I get down to about 5mph, prior to stopping, the brakes grab too much and it is very jerky. If I tone the Prodigy down, I can get smoother stopping at low speeds, but I feel that the overall stopping power is much less than it should be at higher speeds. I'm concerned that it is unsafe and that I wouldn't have enough stopping power in an emergency.
I drive slowly and I stop VERY gradually. Should I have my trailer brakes looked at? The trailer is a brand new Exclipse. It could be user error, but I didn't have this problem when pulling my old bumper pull (no tack room) with the Tahoe. The old trailer was probably 300-500 pounds lighter.
Posted 2010-06-02 3:26 PM (#120849 - in reply to #120826) Subject: RE: Brakes
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by Shantrailer on 2010-06-02 7:54 AM
I have a similar situation, but I have a Prodigy controller.
I have a 2009 Chevy Tahoe 4 WD truck and I pull an aluminum skin 2 horse bumper pull w/small tack room. When I have two horses in it, I set the controller on Boost 1.
I calibrate the controller at 25 mps as directed, and the stopping ability is on par with what I experienced with my older, smaller trailer. But when I get down to about 5mph, prior to stopping, the brakes grab too much and it is very jerky. If I tone the Prodigy down, I can get smoother stopping at low speeds, but I feel that the overall stopping power is much less than it should be at higher speeds. I'm concerned that it is unsafe and that I wouldn't have enough stopping power in an emergency.
I drive slowly and I stop VERY gradually. Should I have my trailer brakes looked at? The trailer is a brand new Exclipse. It could be user error, but I didn't have this problem when pulling my old bumper pull (no tack room) with the Tahoe. The old trailer was probably 300-500 pounds lighter.
Get your trailer brakes checked and adjusted, although new brakes can be grabby/touchy until they get seated. IF the brakes check fine and you still have problems, try using 'No Boost' and turning up the power.
Brakes
