MaxBrake question?

[gbraden]

After reading good things about the MaxBrake controller, I have had one installed on my 2003 Ram 3500. I pull a 8,500# 5th-wheel trailer.

After the installation of the MaxBrake controller I did the "Calibration".

The "A" setting is 40 (The manual suggests it be 40 - 45).

I set the initial "G" setting at 40 (The manual suggests G 35 - G 45)



I tested the setup by driving slowly and applying the foot brake. Things seemed to work smoothly.

However, several times people in the lane next to me reported that a trailer tire(s) skidded when I was slowing down. None of these times were panic stops. They were all gradual stops.

Not knowing what else to do I turned the gain "G" down a little but still got the reports from other drivers that a wheel(s) skidded during my slowdown.

I now have G set at 10. I don't think the trailer wheels are locking up at that setting but I'm not sure if I now have effective trailer braking in case I have to make a panic stop.

I sent several emails to -- email address removed -- but MaxBrake never responded.

What do you folks suggest?

Glenn

 

[BSeyler]

After reading good things about the MaxBrake controller, I have had one installed on my 2003 Ram 3500. I pull a 8,500# 5th-wheel trailer.
After the installation of the MaxBrake controller I did the "Calibration".
The "A" setting is 40 (The manual suggests it be 40 - 45).
I set the initial "G" setting at 40 (The manual suggests G 35 - G 45)

I tested the setup by driving slowly and applying the foot brake. Things seemed to work smoothly.
However, several times people in the lane next to me reported that a trailer tire(s) skidded when I was slowing down. None of these times were panic stops. They were all gradual stops.
Not knowing what else to do I turned the gain "G" down a little but still got the reports from other drivers that a wheel(s) skidded during my slowdown.
I now have G set at 10. I don't think the trailer wheels are locking up at that setting but I'm not sure if I now have effective trailer braking in case I have to make a panic stop.
I sent several emails to -- email address removed -- but MaxBrake never responded.
What do you folks suggest?
Glenn

If you have only one tire sliding, I'd pull it apart and see what's going on inside. I can send you the Dexter troubleshooting manual in PDF form if you PM me with your e-mail. It will show you how to check voltage and also amperage. Amperage is often overlooked. It also shows how to properly wire a trailer. Dexter recommends using a ground wire all the way back to the tow vehicle and does not recommend grounding to the frame - that leaves too many points that can corrode and not be able to carry the proper amperage. It seems like wiring is a place many manufacturers use to shortcut and save a dime.
Bud

 

[richardcoxid]

With a gain setting that low I would look at ALL my brakes. IE- Magnets/Armatures OK, are any of the grease seals leaking causing the brakes to grab rather engaging smoothly, are any of the brake linings saturated with grease? Has anybody worked on the brakes where there is different lining on some of the wheels? Are they all adjusted the same? (Read your Axle manual for proper adjusting procedure or look it up on line. ) Check for electrical continuity where one or more brakes are not getting power and only one/two operating all the time.



If there is a sandy/gravel/grassy road/area that you can drive on about 15-20MPH and have somebody drive alongside looking at your tires while you gradually apply only the trailer brakes manually. Are it all tires skidding at the same time or just the same one/two most of the time?



I am surprised that Max Brake hasn’t replied to your emails, I called them and talked to the owner directly and had excellent response from him. Or call Diane at Plug it Right and talk to her.



I only tow one RV but when I installed my Max Brake about 3 years ago other than some initial fine tuning I haven’t made any re- adjustments since!



For everybody’s benefit let us know what you find, that way we all will learn something!

 

[jhenderson]

I have the Max Brake installed on my 04. I tow an 18,500lb GN dump trailer 3-4 times a week. I run the gain on 7 when empty and 17 when loaded. The trailer brakes work fine. It's by far the best controller I have ever used. I think people tend to over compensate with trailer brakes. They are ment to stop the trailer, not the tow vehicle. I would check the trailer brakes for contamination as well as operation at each wheel. My trailer has used these settings sense it was brand new.

 

[gbraden]

It's only been 4 hrs since I first posted my problem and already I have received 4 thoughtful and helpful replies. Thanks for all that info.
It will probably be about a month from now, but when I take the trailer to a local RV Service Center for annual service (brakes, suspension, wheel bearings, etc. ) I'll take a printout of your replies and discuss the brake problem with them.
I'll let you know the outcome, but remember, it will be at least a month, maybe two, before I take the trailer in.
Thanks again.
Glenn

 

[mrtrombley]

I suggest you call MaxBrake directly. I had a problem, called, and they were very helpful on helping me diagnose the problem. Turned out not to be a problem with the MaxBrake at all, but a broken wire in the trucks wiring to the rear trailer connector.

The MaxBrake is a great item, I haul up to 5 different trailers and have not had to do any "readjustments" for any of them.

Good Luck finding the problem.

 

[Dutch & Di]

I agree that it is very unusual for Max Brake not to reply. If you would like to contact me directly at 941-416-0918 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week [mountain time right now] Dutch will be more than happy to go over your setup. I think we can help but Dutch is just not a computer guy and would prefer to talk with you on the phone. Di

After reading good things about the MaxBrake controller, I have had one installed on my 2003 Ram 3500. I pull a 8,500# 5th-wheel trailer.
After the installation of the MaxBrake controller I did the "Calibration".
The "A" setting is 40 (The manual suggests it be 40 - 45).
I set the initial "G" setting at 40 (The manual suggests G 35 - G 45)

I tested the setup by driving slowly and applying the foot brake. Things seemed to work smoothly.
However, several times people in the lane next to me reported that a trailer tire(s) skidded when I was slowing down. None of these times were panic stops. They were all gradual stops.
Not knowing what else to do I turned the gain "G" down a little but still got the reports from other drivers that a wheel(s) skidded during my slowdown.
I now have G set at 10. I don't think the trailer wheels are locking up at that setting but I'm not sure if I now have effective trailer braking in case I have to make a panic stop.
I sent several emails to -- email address removed -- but MaxBrake never responded.
What do you folks suggest?
Glenn

 

[edh19]

Please help I have maxbrake and it stopped working display reads self check fail.

 

[Dutch & Di]

The self test failed is the only issue I have not been able to fix. I used to have customers send the box in for repair to MB but I don't know what they did. We can try a 2 stage hard reset if you would like to call me at 941 416 0918 10 -10 7days a week central time right now. Hugs Di

 

[mrtrombley]

I had the "self check fail message", tried all kinds of things to find out what was wrong including calling Maxbrake. Finally found out that the problem was a broken wire in my wiring harness of the truck going to the rear. It was over the fuel tank, a bear to fix. Works fine now!

 

[GCroyle]

Gang, no clue what the issue is. I own one too and I'd go the extra miles and miles to keep it working based on how well it works.

 

[K5IP]

If it only happens on one tire, it has to be the brakes on that tire only.
Pull the drum and check the lining. It may have been damaged.

Rog

 

[Dutch & Di]

Hi mrtrombley,
Thank you for your post. I don't know if it will help any of my other customers who have this Self Test Failed but I am going to e-mail them your post in the hopes that it could help them. Hugs, Di

I had the "self check fail message", tried all kinds of things to find out what was wrong including calling Maxbrake. Finally found out that the problem was a broken wire in my wiring harness of the truck going to the rear. It was over the fuel tank, a bear to fix. Works fine now!

 

[edh19]

Mrtrombley u said u had self test fail message and it was just a broken wire.

 

[p-Bar]

Di are you getting any response from MaxBrake?

 

[Dutch & Di]

it is my understanding that max brake went out of business sometime around the end of 2013 or early 2014. I have no way of getting in touch with them. I'm sorry but I don't have any other information. Hugs Di