Question on brakes

[EandJ]

We picked up our 31 QBSS a couple of weeks ago. On maiden run when we pulled into the campground, noticed at very slow speeds, every single time I applied the brakes, the trailer brakes would lock up and we would hear it slide. Forward or reverse. I didn't notice or hear anything at highway speeds.

Is this an adjustment with the brakes or with my brake controller?

I didn't actually have possession of the trailer long enough to try to adjust the brake controller settings because two days later, I dropped it back off at the dealer for water intrusion issues. They are also looking the brakes while they have it - but they said they don't have the facilities to test them and reproduce the problem since they do all their trailer movement via forklifts.

Never had any problem like this with old trailer so just asking to see if it is a controller adjustment or could be something more.

 

[For20hunter]

EandJ,

This sound like you just have too much gain set on your brake controller. You didn't mention which brake controller you have or if it is a factory controller in the TV? I would read the manual on exactly how to set your gain for your particular model, but a quick rule of thumb is to get up to speeds of 25 MPH and apply your trailer brakes using your controller. If your brakes lock up, back it off slightly so that max application of the trailer brakes no longer locks any of the wheels up. Also, if one locks up, they should all lock up. If not, that is a brake adjustment issue or possibly a problem with one or more brakes on your system.

As far as the repair facility goes, if they are unable to take a trailer for a test drive, then you might consider taking it to a repair facility that has that capabilities. There is no way for them to know for sure that they have corrected the problem if they can not road test it after they have diagnosed and repaired the problem. IMHO

Rod

 

[SeldomSeen]

I think Rod is right, might try backing down on you gain a bit. I had the same problem and just backed off on the gain a bit and that took care of the problem.

 

[TandT]

They are also looking the brakes while they have it - but they said they don't have the facilities to test them and reproduce the problem since they do all their trailer movement via forklifts.

This is curious. I agree, most shops move rigs around with forklifts, but I have never seen a shop that doesn't have at least one vehicle available that is equipped to pull a trailer.
Methinks if they looked a little harder they could probably find one, or ride with you to observe the problem. Trace

 

[EandJ]

It is aftermarket. I believe it is a Curt controller. I will go through the procedure to adjust the controller when we get the trailer back. We just didn't actually have the trailer long enough to do anything.

Also - I will see double check if all or one brake is locking up. If I do continue to have problems - I probably would take it a different place as my selling dealer is about 250 miles from me. I should have no trouble finding a place in the Houston area that can road test it and repair the brakes if necessary.

I just don't know anything about trailer brakes and wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[driver311]

brakes should of been the very first thing u checked when u first pulled the trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u arent saft to be on the highway if the brakes arent working properly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lwmcguir]

It is usually hard to lock the brakes until they are burnished in a bit. You must have the gain set to the max or your controller is direct wired and not proportional.

 

[EandJ]

It is usually hard to lock the brakes until they are burnished in a bit. You must have the gain set to the max or your controller is direct wired and not proportional.

What does this mean? Is it the same as a time based controller? Because that's what mine is - not a proportional controller.

I know the gain is not set to max. If I remember right, it's set on 3.5 (out of 10).

This is the controller I have.

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Cu...sed-Activation-Camper-Trailer-RV_p_10161.html

 

[jnbhobe]

I would pull the wheels and make sure everything is put together right and all the grease seals are ok. Maybe thats why one wheel is locking up.

 

[olcoon]

One thing to consider, if you don't want to take it to an RV repair shop, is to take it to someplace that deals in trailers (not necessarily semi trailers). At home there is a local trailer shop that sells new/used trailers & also works on them. They have an excellent reputation and do good work for a reasonable price, cheaper than an RV dealer/repair shop. I take ours to them to repack the bearings & check out the brakes about once a year. I figure that they can do it a lot easier than I can, and the price is right.

 

[hoefler]

Check the wiring, it is possible you have a bad connection in the plug or the controller miss wired. I have seen where there was a single stray strand of wire making a connection from the turn /stop terminal to the brake terminal in the plug.

 

[TandT]

Wait a minute. I think we're jumping miles ahead here.

My self adjusting brakes are "grabby" at slow speeds when my controller is turned up too high.

If I understand correctly, the rig is still in a RV repair shop for other repairs.

Even if the shop says they don't have the resources to road test the rig, they can still pull wheels to see if anything is obviously wrong here. If that shows nothing unusual, hook it to the TV and show them what the problem is. If they are a bonafide repair shop, someone there should be able to advise the OP on how to set the controller.

My thought is, that the rig should not be pulled anywhere if the brakes are not functioning properly.

On top of that, since it is a 2012, it may still be under warranty. If nothing else obvious is found, maybe a call to the brake mfgr. (Lippert, or Dexter, as the case may be) would be a good idea for advice. JMHO Trace

 

[EandJ]

Sorry - just now getting back to this thread. Yes the rig is still at the shop. I had it for two days and took it back for water reasons and other issues. Had them look at the brakes while they had it. Been there for about two weeks now. The shop said they looked at the brakes and they look OK.

I admit - it might be controller settings - did not adjust the gain from my setting for my previous trailer. It was on about 3.5 out of 10. Not terribly high. We were so preoccupied with the other cascading issues (figuratively and literally) that kept cropping up that we just wanted to get the trailer back to the dealer.

Supposedly, all the issues are just about wrapped up, so I'm trying to get a time to pick it up. Will definately be adjusting the settings on the controller at that time. (Thanks to all the tips - a lot better than the cryptic instructions translated from ??? that came with my controller). If this doesn't solve the problem, I'll take it to a local dealer or trailer place instead of back to the purchasing dealer as they are 250 miles away and can't really work on brakes anyway.

 

[TomMar]

It is aftermarket. I believe it is a Curt controller. I will go through the procedure to adjust the controller when we get the trailer back. We just didn't actually have the trailer long enough to do anything.

Also - I will see double check if all or one brake is locking up. If I do continue to have problems - I probably would take it a different place as my selling dealer is about 250 miles from me. I should have no trouble finding a place in the Houston area that can road test it and repair the brakes if necessary.

I just don't know anything about trailer brakes and wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Ron Hoover in Katy handles HL and they have been good to take care of my problems when the rig was new. Call Joe French (GM) 281-829-1560

 

[Bob&Patty]

Start your gain at 2.5 and go from there.

 

[lwmcguir]

What does this mean? Is it the same as a time based controller? Because that's what mine is - not a proportional controller.

I know the gain is not set to max. If I remember right, it's set on 3.5 (out of 10).

This is the controller I have.

http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Cu...sed-Activation-Camper-Trailer-RV_p_10161.html

Time based is the cheaper way to go but should work. We use proportional on the trucks that don't have factor controllers. They tie into the hydraulic off the brake and are the best way to go. You have some other problem it sounds like.