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Topic: Trailer Brake control (Read 530 times) previous topic - next topic

Trailer Brake control

Was just wondering as I will be buying a braked trailer. Is there a control to adjust trailer brake application so as to not be too sensitive and prone to locking up the trailers brakes?  I found nothing in the search function.

Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #1 –
If you buy one with electric brakes you have to buy and install a controller. Some trailers have surge brakes, my race car trailer uses one.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #2 –
I installed one of these so I could pull anything with electric brakes...tow dolly, car hauler, enclosed trailer, etc.  I am very pleased with the performance.  I used one of the spare 10 ga wires running from dash to engine compartment. 
Mike and Mari
'98  36 270 WTFE
Build #5272
Club #17504

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #3 –
I wonder why big rigs such as ours don't have a brake controller built into the system as a vast majority of coaches pull a trailer. Oh well, Just more coach bucks from the giant redwood sized coach buck tree growing in my back garden.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #4 –
Quote from: bigdog –
I wonder why big rigs such as ours don't have a brake controller built into the system as a vast majority of coaches pull a trailer.

Unscientific anecdotal survey, but by far most coaches pull a car 4-down, not a trailer.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #6 –
Quote from: bigdog –
I wonder why big rigs such as ours don't have a brake controller built into the system as a vast majority of coaches pull a trailer. Oh well, Just more coach bucks from the giant redwood sized coach buck tree growing in my back garden.
Less than $200 including a quality 7-way plug and environmental splices.  About 4 hours start to finish including mental engineering (drinking rum and thinking about it)
Mike and Mari
'98  36 270 WTFE
Build #5272
Club #17504

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Unscientific anecdotal survey, but by far most coaches pull a car 4-down, not a trailer.

Let me rephrase that. As most (if not all) coaches have a heavy duty hitch from the factory and can haul a pretty decent load. Makes perfect sense that a brake control of some sort would be a rather standard item. Four down or four up you still need a brake controller. 
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Jet Doc –
Less than $200 including a quality 7-way plug and environmental splices.  About 4 hours start to finish including mental engineering (drinking rum and thinking about it)

I guess my sarcastic or possibly even sardonic sense of humor was lost on the group. I should be more careful.

The coach goes into the shop on Friday, I'll add that to the list as it will be sat at the shop for two weeks anyway.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #9 –
Lots of choices out there, no one universal solution.  We use an NSA ReadyBrake tow bar with a built in surge brake actuator with the Jeep. All mechanical, all proportional, all adjustable. Just hook it up and go.  Simple.  Nothing to add to or modify on the coach. But it is not for everyone. You get to choose for yourself.

About 100 coaches at the Grandvention last year, less than 10 trailers as I recall.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #10 –
Quote from: bigdog –
Let me rephrase that. As most (if not all) coaches have a heavy duty hitch from the factory and can haul a pretty decent load. Makes perfect sense that a brake control of some sort would be a rather standard item. Four down or four up you still need a brake controller.
Brake controllers are only for electric brakes. Towed doesn't use that system.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #11 –
After towing trailers with electric brakes for decades, I love the air/hydraulic brakes on my stacker.  Very smooth, perfectly proportional, very strong.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: Trailer Brake control

Reply #12 –
I have used this remote unit on my stacker and it has been flawless.  I did not want a controller box mounted on the dash area. This unit is completely wireless.  David

Tekonsha - Prodigy® RF
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393