Brake Controller adjustment

allen in texas · Apr 23, 2015

CRAP!
Max brake gone!! I have one still in the box but the fittings are wrong for the last truck I have that I was going to put it on. A fella bought it for his Dodge but sold the truck before he installed the controller. I got if for a song. Well, I bet this boy can figure it out. At least I have the controller.

Diamondpilot · Apr 24, 2015

allen in texas said:
CRAP! Max brake gone!! I have one still in the box but the fittings are wrong for the last truck I have that I was going to put it on. A fella bought it for his Dodge but sold the truck before he installed the controller. I got if for a song. Well, I bet this boy can figure it out. At least I have the controller.

The only thing truck specific was the threads on the adapter for the pressure switch. Shouldn't be too hard to make work.

Chris

oliver1555 · Apr 24, 2015

allen in texas said:
CRAP!
Max brake gone!! I have one still in the box but the fittings are wrong for the last truck I have that I was going to put it on. A fella bought it for his Dodge but sold the truck before he installed the controller. I got if for a song. Well, I bet this boy can figure it out. At least I have the controller.

Follow this link to the website and call Dutch and Diana. They were distributors for MaxBrake, but still are available for help. They may be able to fix you up with the correct tee for the brake line, or will be able to get you a part number so you can get one. They are great people and their customer service is second to none.

Home {index} 941-416-0918 10 to 10 7 days a week plugitright@mail.com

mbrule · Apr 24, 2015

Diamondpilot said:
Max Brake is one of my favorite. I have installed about a dozen of them but they are now out of business. They work just like the Ford Factory Controllers. I have the factory units in my 2006 F350 and 2012 F150 and they blow way any under the dash box.

Chris

I'll second Chris on this, My 06 F350 has the factory controller and it is GREAT! Coupled with tow / haul mode it makes it a joy to tow my fifth wheel.....

jejeosborne · Apr 25, 2015

allen in texas said:
I use a MaxBrake brake controller. It requires no setup other than the initial calibration and that is done without a trailer. It has a "gain" that is not really a gain control. It only controls "when" the trailer brakes come on. I have mine set to apply the trailer brakes just slightly before the truck brakes take hold. It works, with out adjustment, whether the trailer is empty or loaded. It is controlled by a pressure sender that is placed inline at the brake master cylinder. I got rid of several controllers because I got tired of having to adjust the controller every time I loaded or emptied my trailer. the newer trucks with the towing packages are equipped with the same type controller.
the pro's,
all of the aforementioned.
Con's
Expensive.

I have a factory controller in my f150 and must adjust the gain based on the load on the trailer. How does the maxbrake work with an empty trailer without smoking the tires during a hard stop? I'm confused on how that would work. I would think a high hydraulic pressure on the tow vehicle would equal a high voltage going to the brakes but I must be missing some logic.

I set mine squeezing the lever all the way over while driving about 20 mph and adjusting right to the point of not skidding the tires. Most electric drum trailer brakes require full gain setting with a loaded trailer as they aren't powerful enough to lock up the tires.