What do the truck and trailer gurus think of this?

[JB4310]

That really surprises me. It seems to me that would make it VERY hard to control braking. Either that, or the trailer brakes wouldn't do much in a hard stop. Any I've ever seen are like dcyrilc described... One knob adjusts the level, or braking strength. The other knob adjust the gain, or how far the pedal is pushed before the trailer brakes activate. The brakes then gradually increase braking force as the pedal is pushed.

I'm not doubting it, just never seen it. sounds complicated how does it sense the pressure applied to the brake pedal ? A sensor on the master cylinder?
Brake pedal travel would not be all that reliable IMO.

I find the simple trailer brake adjustment works fine for my needs, but I could see the need for greater control with real heavy trailers.

JB.

 

[retiredmgn]

After reading through this entire post (it's raining again) I am convinced that all of you are a bunch of rednecked, tractor driving, big ball hitched, S.O.B's.
I love it. Feels like home.

My standard for tailgaters is to slow down to 30mph, make a visable adjustment to the rear view so they know I'm talking to them and give em a thumb motion which is clearly, 'get off my *****'. They can pass if need be but I watch to see if they get their middle fingers back on the steering wheel.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

After reading through this entire post (it's raining again) I am convinced that all of you are a bunch of rednecked, tractor driving, big ball hitched, S.O.B's.

That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me all day.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm not doubting it, just never seen it. sounds complicated how does it sense the pressure applied to the brake pedal ? A sensor on the master cylinder?
Brake pedal travel would not be all that reliable IMO.

I find the simple trailer brake adjustment works fine for my needs, but I could see the need for greater control with real heavy trailers.

JB.

I don't know how it works, but I know that the further you push the pedal, the more brake you get. Does your controller have the wammy bar (whatever it's called) that allows you to apply trailer brakes alone? Does it seems to vary the braking level the more you push it?

 

[JB4310]

I don't know how it works, but I know that the further you push the pedal, the more brake you get. Does your controller have the wammy bar (whatever it's called) that allows you to apply trailer brakes alone? Does it seems to vary the braking level the more you push it?

Good question, Yes I have the manual control, and it does have a good amount of travel to it. So maybe it varies the amount of brake applied with that bar ? I'll have to check that. But I'm almost certain mine does not vary with the pedal pressure.

JB

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Good question, Yes I have the manual control, and it does have a good amount of travel to it. So maybe it varies the amount of brake applied with that bar ? I'll have to check that. But I'm almost certain mine does not vary with the pedal pressure.

JB

Let me know what you find. I've heard of guys wiring their trailer brakes through the brake lights by mistake creating an all on or all off scenario. The trailers are unusable in that condition. I'm very curious to know if there's a controller out there that's an all on or all off type of controller.

 

[JB4310]

Let me know what you find. I've heard of guys wiring their trailer brakes through the brake lights by mistake creating an all on or all off scenario. The trailers are unusable in that condition. I'm very curious to know if there's a controller out there that's an all on or all off type of controller.

Not coming out of the controller, that's what the adjustment is for.

But going into the controller, it's on or off. At least that's how the 2 units I have had work. 99% certain they are wired correctly.

I have all the control I need, both my dump trailer and equipment trailer have brakes on both axles, my truck has a tow haul mode and a VGT turbo that acts as an engine brake. I can come down a 12% grade with CGVW of 22,000 pounds and just let off the throttle, the truck will slow down by itself down to 15mph without touching the brakes. When I do use the brakes they work great, it's a pleasure to drive and a very safe feeling.

JB.

 

[Skyco]

I have the very best brake controller ever made...it is a Jordan. Uses a cable arrangement like a throttle cable attached to the brake pedal arm, so it truly does know the brake pedal position. It also has a digital current readout, and an adjustment knob, I know from experience exactly where to set it for each of my trailers according to whether they are empty or loaded. Fantastic system.
The digital ammeter also lets you know if you have an electrical problem, occasionally I've had to go re-mate the 7 way plug a few times to wipe the contacts clean. This can be quickly spotted as the current is low, from plug/socket resistance when contacts are dirty.
Biggest problem- they don't make them anymore, so I hope it never fails!

 

[JB4310]

I have the very best brake controller ever made...it is a Jordan. Uses a cable arrangement like a throttle cable attached to the brake pedal arm, so it truly does know the brake pedal position. It also has a digital current readout, and an adjustment knob, I know from experience exactly where to set it for each of my trailers according to whether they are empty or loaded. Fantastic system.
The digital ammeter also lets you know if you have an electrical problem, occasionally I've had to go re-mate the 7 way plug a few times to wipe the contacts clean. This can be quickly spotted as the current is low, from plug/socket resistance when contacts are dirty.
Biggest problem- they don't make them anymore, so I hope it never fails!

I figured someone must of tried that, but like I mentioned I don't think that would be an accurate way to determine applied brake pressure. Knowing the brake pedal position is no guarantee of applied pressure. Brake pedal position changes constantly with brake wear as well as other factors.
Not to be rude, but that's probably why they don't make it anymore.


I have digital read out on mine as well, so I know where I should start, mine will flicker if there is not a good connection at the socket, so I have to clean it like you mentioned.

JB.

 

[HHR]

Most newer brake controllers have an internal pendulum type mechanism that adjusts the output to the trailer brakes. Any sensed over or under-braking will be addressed by the controller automatically.

http://www.tekonsha.com/content/products.aspx?lvl=2&parentid=1400&catID=1435 &part=0