Towing my 5th wheel, brake questions???

[Oil Stain]

When I apply the truck brakes when stopping, there is at least a 1-2 second delay before I can feel the 5th wheel brakes being applied. Also there is the same delay when lifting off the brake pedal, the truck will move but the 5th wheel brakes are still holding for 1-2 seconds. I would understand the latter if I had a manual transmission, but I have an auto.

This has been this way since I bought the truck new. I have 50k miles on it now.

I have my trailer brakes set to electric heavy and on #8.

Is there and update that would address this issue?

 

[Powder Extreme]

The 1 -2 second delay is just an inherent design with electric brakes. They ALL do it. There is an arm with a magnet attached to it inside the brake drum, when you apply electricity to the magnet, it energizes and tries to stick to the spinning outer drum. When this happens it moves the arm which in turn forces the brake shoes outward. It isn't hydraulic pressure instantly moving the brake shoes like we are used to in older cars with drum brakes. As far as a delay when you release, there will always be a slight one, 1-2 seconds seems rather long, but once that magnet is attached to the now "non spinning" drum, there is no way to gradually relieve pressure that is applied to the brake shoes like you can in a hydraulic system. After things have stopped turning, it only requires a very small amount of electricity to keep that magnet stuck to the drum. Once the current is removed completely from the magnet, the brake shoes are still in the outward position and it does take a bit of time for the springs to pull them back into position, more often then not with things gummed up from road grime and brake dust, the shoes will stay "applied" until the drum actually tries to rotate again, at which time they will release. This is most likely the delay you are feeling.

All in all it sounds pretty normal to me.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I agree with PE. The motion also seems to intensify even more when the trailer brakes are set heavy. At least in my experience.

 

[Oil Stain]

Thank you both for the great replies. It all makes sense now. I'm 3 years new to towing so I had no idea if this issue was correct. I was sitting around the camp fire and discussing this issue, but couldn't get any straight answers as others have told me they do not get this with there Ford or Chevy. A couple of 2014 Ram guys said they had a setting to adjust the delay when the trailer brakes can be applied, like they could control how soon the brakes would come on and release.

But with your explanation on how the system works, I can't see that happening.

 

[Hoefler]

Another thing to consider, if the bearings are lubed through a zerk on the spindle or grease cap, more likely than not, you have grease that has gone past your seals and on your brake shoes, this only magnifies the problem you are experiencing.

 

[Powder Extreme]

I don't believe my 2014 Ram has a setting which allows the trailer brakes to "lead" the vehicle brakes, if so I haven't seen it. However I have had high end brake controllers in other vehicles that absolutely have that option. Basically what it does is apply the trailer brakes initially at a higher voltage the moment the brake pedal is touched, this is to help avoid the feeling of some of that inherent delay from when the truck is actually braking to when the trailer is actually braking. One of my controllers would also release the trailer brakes as you came to a final stop and then reapply them which ends that "jerking release" feeling as you are driving away.

As pointed out, grease inside your brakes only amplifies this situation. Seeing you are pulling a nearly new Montana, they are most likely using a newer Dexter axle with a much better design that has really limited the amount of grease passing by the seals into the brakes. Unless a guy really tries by absolutely over greasing, you really don't have that problem anymore.

 

[Newsa]

Never noticed it on my g56 equipped truck.
But I don't go from brake to accelerator so quick that I would notice it.

Have noticed the hill assist, tho

 

[Hoefler]

When was the last time the brakes were adjusted?? When new, they will take quite a few miles to seat in and will require several adjustments to get full optimal performance.

 

[Oil Stain]

Another thing to consider, if the bearings are lubed through a zerk on the spindle or grease cap, more likely than not, you have grease that has gone past your seals and on your brake shoes, this only magnifies the problem you are experiencing.

This is very true! I'm very careful when I apply the grease. I spin the wheel and slowly inject the grease.

When was the last time the brakes were adjusted?? When new, they will take quite a few miles to seat in and will require several adjustments to get full optimal performance.

I figure that I have 8-10k miles on the RV, so I would think they would be broken in by now. LOL. Even though they claim they are self adjusting, I double check and re-adjust as necessary anyway.

When I get home, I plan on pulling things apart when my wonderful bad back allows me.

 

[Dogpatch]

I have my trailer brakes set to electric heavy and on #8.

I towed my 2010 Cardinal for the first time this weekend. I was surprised that on the Electric Heavy setting that I had to have mine set on 8 as well. I backed it off to 7.5 thinking 8 was too much. Now I know I'm not the only one and feel better!

 

[SnoKing]

I towed my 2010 Cardinal for the first time this weekend. I was surprised that on the Electric Heavy setting that I had to have mine set on 8 as well. I backed it off to 7.5 thinking 8 was too much. Now I know I'm not the only one and feel better!

So how did it tow the trailer???? SNOKING

 

[Dogpatch]

It towed great. Lost a bit uphill, but it backed my 5er up a 12% grade like it wasn't there.

 

[Oil Stain]

Now that I have a better understanding of how the system works, during stop and go traffic I lower my setting from 8 to 6. This helps to remove the jerking of the brakes during these 1 second delays when releasing. Makes the ride more enjoyable.

 

[J-KB]

I tow mine with heavy electric set at 6.5 to 7.0 and have had no problems.

 

[Dogpatch]

That's where I have mine set now. 6.5