Brakes?

[icysmooth]

Here's a question....should camper brakes lock up when manual overide is pushed?

Reason for asking...went up to Gettysburg,Pa and was going up I83,and out of no where a cloud of smoke appeared and cars going every where.

I had my arse out out the seat smashing the brakes while I had my hand on the manual over ride sending 14 volts to the camper brakes....but very little response....missed the impact thank God,but was too dam close for comfort.

Any one know what these brakes should do?

The pads and magnets are good,drums turned,but stopping sucks!

Could this be a bearing tightness issue as well?

Never had an emergency stop like this before.

Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

[JSchuricht]

It really depends on the setup. I have a tripple axle and some of the brakes locked up easily when I got it. Once I reconnected the three that had cut wires, I could no longer lock them up probably due to voltage loss. I would start by jacking up the trailer and tightening the brakes.

[mudfuel06]

^^ Sounds like a plan. THey should lock up if they are set up correctly. I know mine will if I slam on the brakes.

[SuperCrutyPS]

BUT....do you really want them locking up? Locked up wheels are skidding which isn't helping the braking any....especially in an emergency stop situation.

When using the trailer brake's manual lever, you should feel the trailer brakes engage. If you're not, I would agree, an adjustment is in order.

[icysmooth]

Originally Posted by SuperCrutyPS

BUT....do you really want them locking up? Locked up wheels are skidding which isn't helping the braking any....especially in an emergency stop situation.

When using the trailer brake's manual lever, you should feel the trailer brakes engage. If you're not, I would agree, an adjustment is in order.

Well,If I sent 14 volts,yeah,but 12 and under,no-don't want that..just control

I normally hit the brakes enough to use the trailer's,but I always stay far enough back for slow,easy stops,so I've not dealt with a quick stop until now.

I just grabbed the over ride and maxed out the response,I have over a million miles behind me and never had a call that close-scared the chit out of me

But with adjustment,what's the best way?

Manually with a spoon,or backing up engaging the brakes for auto adjust?

I did the second part,and all parts were cleaned before doing so,but I'm not happy with the results...just don't want to over-tighten doing manually

Thanks for advice in advance

[nitrogen]

I could be wrong, but are not all trailer brakes manual adjust only? yes if you max the lever they should not turn the wheels at all on a tug test. if the brakes, and controller are set properly, you should be able to do an emergency stop with out touching the manual control. In fact if the controller is set properly by design it gives a faux anti-lock brake effect. that is because the controller operates off a accelerometer, so it senses what ever rate of deacceleration the truck brakes can generate before they start releasing. In an emergency both of your hands belong on the steering wheel

[mor4wd]

Theoretically you should be able to lock them up, but if you are, then your gain is not set correctly. The gain should be set rolling flat at 25mph, using only the brake controller, squeeze it all the way, if they lock up, back the gain off a bit. Rinse and repeat. They should be just on the verge of locking up when you're done. A skidding tire is an out of control tire. If you can't get them to lock up at all, then you need to manually adjust them, or replace some parts. I don't trust auto adjusters so I always manually adjust them. With the tire off the ground, turn the adjuster until you can't turn the tire anymore. Then start backing it off until it spins freely. It's ok to hear the brakes touching occasionally, you just don't want any friction build up.

[Evil Eye]

Some great advice in this thread and I'm VERY interested because I have a similar type of issue. Are you using the Ford factory brake controller or aftermarket controller?

[mudfuel06]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

Some great advice in this thread and I'm VERY interested because I have a similar type of issue. Are you using the Ford factory brake controller or aftermarket controller?

I'm betting he's using an aftermarket one due to his being a 99, I don't think they offered a factory TBC in that era, at least my 2002 didn't have one.

I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of the trailer being able to stop the truck within a reasonable distance soley using the trailer brakes without the truck brakes. While it wouldn't be a complete lockup, it would have to have the force to stop the vehicle.

[Evil Eye]

Originally Posted by mudfuel06

I'm betting he's using an aftermarket one due to his being a 99, I don't think they offered a factory TBC in that era, at least my 2002 didn't have one.

I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of the trailer being able to stop the truck within a reasonable distance soley using the trailer brakes without the truck brakes. While it wouldn't be a complete lockup, it would have to have the force to stop the vehicle.

Good call. I guess I should have looked at his signature.