How do you adjust your Brake Controler

[T and C]

Originally Posted by harveyrv

Tom,

You might want t consider doing yourself a big favor. The next time that you have the trailer fully loaded for camping, stop by the scales and get it weighed. I doubt very much that it will be under 4,000#.

Wayne,

I figure you are probably correct. However, I also figure that it doesn't weigh over 4500#. I figure my tongue weight is around 550-600#.

The 3000-4000# figure was my estimate of the church trailer's weight.

Now those are only educated guesses. We'll see what the reality is when I get to a scale.

Tom

My 2720 weighs 3,380 on the axle. That would probably put the total weight at 4,100 pounds. I travel heavy. But, any TM bigger than a 2720 would likely weigh more than 4,000 unless it was empty.

We had a blow out on the curb side tire. We did not have a control problem. We only knew we had a flat because we heard the pop. If the radio had been on we would not have heard the pop.

[Mr. Adventure]

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

... But, any TM bigger than a 2720 would likely weigh more than 4,000 unless it was empty...

The factory numbers for the 3023 are 50lbs heavier than the 2720SL. My scale number came in at 3940 gross (but that's with the toilet charged and only the water heater full).

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ad.php?t=10652

[T and C]

Originally Posted by T and C

Folks,

I posted the above theory back in October of this year. Last Sunday I had an experience that seems to me to add strength to my theory.

In November I took a 2000 mile trip towing my TM. The TM brakes have never locked up on me since I have had it. Upon returning from my trip I put the TM in the driveway and disconnected it from the TV. I did not adjust the Prodigy brake controller at all!

Sunday morning I was asked to deliver a 4 wheel trailer to my church. We rent the place we meet in, and use the trailer to carry a bunch of rolling cabinets full of sound equipment, as well as all sorts of stuff for the Children's classes, and more. I don't know the weight of the trailer empty, but it is a box trailer with two axles about 20 feet long.

Here in SoCal we are having several days of steady rain. As soon as I braked my truck/trailer combo while crossing the wet parking lot...the trailer brakes locked. The Prodigy is set on 6. Since I only had to go 3 miles or so each way on city streets at 25-35 mph, I did not adjust the Prodigy.

Every time I forgot to brake very early and softly, the trailer brakes locked up. This has never happened with the TM. Also, every time I thumbed the switch on the Prodigy, they locked up.

To me, this confirms my theory that the cause of the difficulty in locking TM brakes is in the weight that the single axle bears. Each wheel has to carry twice the weight of the wheels of a dual axle trailer of equal weight. TM's have MAJOR traction. So, the brakes are difficult to lock up.

Tom

Folks, in reading my Owner's Manual, I picked up some more confirmation of my weight/traction theory on TM's.

It says: "If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even with the GAIN setting on 10". I think that is consistent with what I wrote above.

Tom

[T and C]

Originally Posted by T and C

Folks, in reading my Owner's Manual, I picked up some more confirmation of my weight/traction theory on TM's.

It says: "If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even with the GAIN setting on 10". I think that is consistent with what I wrote above.

Tom

Earlier in this thread I posted several times regarding my theory that the individual wheel traction is double relative to total weight of trailer if you only have one axle, as on a TM.

I mentioned several things that seemed to support my theory. However, last month reality intruded and called my theory into question.

I was driving through Nacogdoches, TX at 25mph or so. As I looked at the old buildings I failed to see that the light ahead had changed to red. Just before entering the intersection I realized the light was red and piled on the brakes. I mean PILED on the brakes. The ABS system activated and the TM brakes locked up immediately. I stopped right at the edge of the intersection and no harm was done other than to my pride.

BTW, I got the TM 2330 trailer weighed at a CAT scale. It had about 10 gallons of water in the tank plus the water heater, plus clothes and food. The trailer axle weighed in at 3440 pounds. I did not unhook to get the tongue weight, but 15% of 3440 is 516. That would give me a total weight of 3956 while on a trip. There could be more tongue weight, but I suspect that my total is pretty close.

Incidentally, we carry most of the heavy stuff in the truck. That includes tools, jacks, wooden blocks, tank tote, some clothes, ice chest, odds and ends.

Tom

[Lesherp]

When I was setting my controller before I brought it home from purchasing it I had someone at the site riding with me. I was unable to get the brakes to lock up. I ended up just setting it so it seemed like the brakes were working in slowing the trailer. He told me he liked to set them up on a gravel road.

I put self adjusting brakes on recently and wondered if this might make a deference. I had always suspected that not having them adjusted perfect could be the problem. It made no difference.

I noticed when I was on a gravel road one trip that my brakes were locking up. So now I am thinking that maybe I should set them on a gravel road. Anyone see a problem with this or is it a good idea?