Pulling doubles; dual brake controllers?

[GaryCarter]

A question for those pulling doubles- do you use dual controllers so you can adjust individually the voltage to each trailer, or do you just wire the two trailers to a single controller?



I'm getting set up to pull an ATV trailer behind the fiver. Seems to me the voltage on the lightly loaded ATV trailer needs to be a lot lower than the fiver. Towing them separately I'm usually about 4v max on the ATV trailer vs. 8 on the fiver.

Thanks for your input.



Gary

 

[jelag]

There are lots of places this is against the law... I can only assume that you've checked with the states your going to tow into...



On a truck, the air brakes have what is called the crack pressure... and the crack pressure is set differently on each trailer... or at least thats the way they are designed. . so the trailing trailer sets the brakes a fraction of a second before the second trailer and just before the first trailer... . and before the tractor... .



Setting the braking action on the last unit, than the next and finally the front unit keeps the trailers in line with each other..... I don't have a clue how to suggest to do this with a pickup and electric brakes... plus if you tried to do this... you'd have to run a cable through your first trailer to the end trailer... something that doesn't seem to be and easy task.....



Just my thoughts on the this... ...

 

[RustyJC]

I believe that the 2nd trailer often uses surge braking.



Rusty

 

[CBari]

I Used To Deliver New Trailers From Several Manufactures, Both Cargo, And Utility Trailers I Always Tied The Brakes On The Trailers Together And Used One Controller.



I Having Logged Over 100k Towing These Loads Some With Dual Tandems In Front And Light 16ft With Single Brake Axle In Back With No Problem With Performance In Stoping.

 

[GAmes]

I double trailer an 18 ft Ranger bass boat behind my 5er that has no trailer brakes. I don't know how much your second trailer weighs, but if it isn't too heavy you may be able to leave it's brakes disconnected.

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I pull tandem as well. When I was in the market to buy my current boat, one of the dealers was pushing boat trailers with electric brakes. He said that the best way to do it was to have two brake controlers. I have no idea how that would work, sounds like a job for a professional to me. I ended up going with a boat that has surge brakes. It has worked well.

 

[wtfd6]

for an atv on a small trailer, i think you wouldnt need brakes. jmho.


mark

 

[GWBourne]

i dont use brakes on the second "trailer" as it is a 1995 ford escort. the one time i actually pulled a trailer it was a twin axle with no brakes anyway.



the brakesmart is rated for 6 (maybe 5, i ca not recal) braking axles. my trailer ahs three, so i am good for another 2 for sure. it is yet another reason i bought the brake smart. more axles than most other controllers. as for timing, you are right it could help a bit, but on a pickup the second trailer shouldnt weigh much anyway (normaly)



Grant