Brake Issue on Fifth Wheel

[CROW]

Might see my post above about trailer brake wiring. I went ahead and installed all new brakes with manual adjusters in lieu of the automatic adjusters. Adjusted the brakes and went on a test pull. Have almost no brakes. Can just barely and I mean barely feel any braking action. Rechecked the adjustment and seems to be OK.
What I did find was only 5 to 6 volts at the brakes. This was with a foot on the brake, the hand adjuster on full and the gain set to 10 on the Ram controller. Appears to not be getting the correct voltage to the brakes.
This is overwhelming for a fella that can barely read a volt meter.
Any way to check the operation of the controller??
Any help is certainly appreciated.

 

[AH64ID]

What year is the truck?

Below a certain mph the OEM controller won’t apply full voltage.

Your new brakes may need to seat and break in to be effective as well.

 

[CROW]

Truck is a 2018. I left the storage location this morning with the trailer intending to apply the brakes 20 times or so as Lippert recommends in the owners manual to burnish in the brakes. Was quite surprised when there were no brakes. Manual indicates the voltage to the brakes varies from zero to full 12 volts depending on input. These are not over 5 or 6. I readjusted and towed again with same result. Kinda wondering if the controller is bad but have no idea how to check.

 

[AH64ID]

Are you measuring volts when stopped?

I also have an ‘18 and there just isn’t much voltage at low speed with the manual adjustment, but there is plenty for braking. I usually have to turn my gain down on slow dirt roads.

Get up to 60 and use the manual lever it should work better then. If nothing I would readjust the brakes and try again.

 

[SnoKing]

I changed my Ram IBC to Electric over Hydraulic Heavy for better braking when I towed a 39' 16K 5th wheel with drum brakes.

 

[GAmes]

The procedure on the new trailers we haul is to apply power to the brakes several times to seat the shoes. There are times when there is next to no braking. Some take more iterations than others. Perhaps you just need to use the manual lever several times to bring the whole rig to a stop several times, taking time in between to let them cool.

 

[GCroyle]

Any chance to try a different truck to do a brake test?

 

[CROW]

I adjusted the brakes twice after the first tow where there were no brakes. I now have acceptable brakes on the trailer. Would like for them to be a little stronger but can use the trailer with current adjustment. May give it one more adjustment. Dexter calls for an adjustment with a "slight drag" on the drum. Have never really figured that out completely and have always been afraid I would get it too tight. All set to go.
Thanks to all for your help.

 

[GCroyle]

An IR thermometer is usually in the drivers door pocket. Helps find hot tire, brake or hub or is it making heat from braking or dragging.

 

[AH64ID]

An IR thermometer is usually in the drivers door pocket. Helps find hot tire, brake or hub or is it making heat from braking or dragging.

Same place mine lives, and a spare 9V in the console.