F350 SD Dually Towing 21012 Bigh Horn 3185 Braking issue

[murry135]

I recently towed our 2012 BH 3185 with our new 2012 Ford F350 SD Dually and have questions about the brake controller settings used and results. As in the past and as directed by many before leaving on a trip we are told to check brake setting through the brake controller by warming up brakes and then activating brake controller lever to actuate the trailer brakes when at 25 mph. If the tires lock up the gain setting is to high and needs to be lowered until this action stops. Well with our factory installed brake controller I could not lock up the trailer brakes even with the brake controller set at "10" the max setting. I received nopt other warnings via Ford computer regarding brake issues. SO, even though we made our trip without incident I am curious of why I can not achieve a basic setting to work from. Trailer is not over loaded if anything it is far below its max this was verified by weighing it at the CAT Scales along our journey.

 

[codycarver]

Have you checked the adjustment on your trailer brakes? Not sure if the 2012 is the same but on our 2011 BH inspection and any needed adjustment was recommended after a couple hundred miles.

 

[Invizatu]

Have you checked the adjustment on your trailer brakes?

What Dave said...

 

[murry135]

Just brought it back from dealership who repacked wheel bearings and adjusted brakes.

 

[jmgratz]

I have also heard the Ford brake controller works in conjunction with the ABS system and won't let the brakes lock up. Dont know if that is true but maybe one of the Ford mechanics on the forum can answer that.

 

[murry135]

I read that in the FORD manual personally but wanted to see if anyone experienced anything similar or what. Guess it is normal.

 

[codycarver]

I haven't locked mine up... but to tell the truth I haven't tried either.

 

[branson4020]

Your integrated brake controller cannot prevent your trailer brakes from locking up. Truck ABS systems do not apply to the trailer brakes. ABS systems rely on sensors at the wheels to determine if the braking force is causing the wheel to lock up. Since your trailer wheels do not have these sensors, no ABS system is possible.

 

[porthole]

From the 2012 Ford towing guide

1. Integrated TrailerBrake Controller(7)
   
   • Uses braking input, vehicle speed and ABS
     logic to balance the performance of the
     truck brakes and electric trailer brakes
     
   • User-friendly display in instrument cluster
     message center indicates TBC(8) output,gain levels and trailer connection status
     
     1. (5) Remember that even advanced technology cannotovercome the laws of physics. It’s always possibleto lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriatedriver input for the conditions.
        
     2. (6) 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel.
        
     3. (7) Standard on F-350 DRW/F-450; optional on
        F-250/F-350 SRW.
        
     4. (8) TBC verified to be compatible with electrically
        actuated drum brakes and certain Electric-Over-Hydraulic brake systems. See your Ford dealer for d
        

 

[jmgratz]

That is what I thought, the ABS does affect the ibc and the logic controller that controls the ibc, hence the braking on the trailer.

 

[murry135]

Duane,

In reading the info you posted I am still wondering what is the proper function of the trailer brake during the brake test, 25mph and activated the level to check for brakes locking up, if so lessen gain or add gain as needed. I had my gain set to 10 since I could not get the trailer brakes to lock at 25 mph. Is this pre-tow brake check now going to become outdated due to the intergarated brake controller and ABS?

 

[porthole]

Jim, when hare doing the brake test you are not using the trucks service brakes, just the controller - from off to full apply.
You need to make sure the brakes are adjusted correctly, then do the test again.

It is no secret that most of the heavy trailers cannot lock up the brakes as advertised.

 

[boatto5er]

On my Landmark, the only way to completely lock the trailer brakes is to pull the emergency brake cord on the pin box (don't ask how I know). At a setting of 8.5, my brakes do put a nice stopping force on the trailer that complements the truck nicely.

 

[murry135]

Porthole and Boatto5er,

Guys thanks for your input. I just had a spring tune up which included the brakes being adjusted. I am going with the size of the unit is to much to lock up the brakes and this test is for utility and smaller trailers. We are trailering to Lancaster next weekend so I will downgrade to a gain of 8.5 and see how that works. I used my utility trailer today and when performing the brake setting test I was able to lock up the brakes so at this time I think all is in order.

Murry135

 

[branson4020]

I can easily set my controller to lock the brakes at 25 mph, and and my rig is a 3385.