trailer brake setting question

[magothy1]

I have a 2016 3500 Tradesman, dually, all stock. I'm going to pick up a 37' fifth wheel later this week, got the Curt A20 hitch installed. RV is supposed to be 14,000 lb dry. What setting would you start with on the trailer brake ? I can't seem to get it to show up on the EVIC, but it comes up on the touch screen when I use the settings button. There's no hills to speak of involved, just a 4 hour run down the east coast dragway, I-95, starting lower North Carolina.

Where would you start with the slide switch ? Does that setting come up on the EVIC ? I do understand I'll want to be in the tow/haul mode and using the exhaust brake. I do that now with the utility trailer.

I've towed a utility trailer, and several boats, and drove an 18 wheeler for part of a trip helping a friend a long time ago. I do understand I need to keep a whole lot more space open in front of me. The RV has drum brakes, not disc. The owner said he had them rebuilt 2 years ago. He's a maintenance nut and extremely meticulous, I have no reason to doubt him.

Thanks for any help.

Steve in SC

 

[AH64ID]

Mine is adjusted from the 8.4 and the controller.

I’d start on Heavy Electric and a gain of 7 and adjust it from there.

Heavy Electric is selected on the 8.4, and the gain is adjusted with the + - on the controller.

The slide is just for manual activation, which is pretty nice as it will still activate the brake lights and won’t disconnect CC so it’s handy on down hills.

 

[Wiredawg]

Just a pointer after hooking up and heading out... I like to idle the truck down the road and operate the brake controller manually and very lightly a few times then progressively until you lock the trailer brakes or they stop the rig. This gets everything loose and let's you know all is working. We wash our 5th wheel before parking in my shop for storage and a minor negative to that is brake disks get a little surface corrosion on them. This shines em up and gets ready for business.

I've had several emergency stops, most thanks to idiot drivers, but nice to know everything will work and stop.

Anyhoo,, please share your towing experience.

Happy Trails, Ron

 

[DHayden]

I set mine to where I idle the truck and bring the combo to a full stop with the slider. Not a panic stop and not drawn out but a smooth, positive stop. You dont want it set overly aggressive as they are not meant to stop the truck but they should do their part in an emergency stop. Hope this makes sense, its been a loooong day.

 

[jetmechabq]

I'll set mine where at idle i can use the trailer brakes to hold the load. then while holding the load ill slightly take the gas and see if the brakes have some resistance.

 

[Wiredawg]

I set mine to where I idle the truck and bring the combo to a full stop with the slider. Not a panic stop and not drawn out but a smooth, positive stop. You dont want it set overly aggressive as they are not meant to stop the truck but they should do their part in an emergency stop. Hope this makes sense, its been a loooong day.

Dean,
With the truck moving at idle and bringing the rig to a complete stop using only the brake controller is the method used by the state of TX for annual RV inspection. It's a good process.

I'm doing the same thing, just doing it on a gravel road and smoothing up the disks. Sometimes I get em to lock on the loose stuff on my road.

Cheers, Ron