Wide range in "Brake Control" settings? Why?

[Artemus Gordon]

Ok, I know we have some very smart people on this site. Could one of you engineering types "explain to me" why the Brake controller settings, reported on a recent thread are so far apart? We had a good grouping, with the new Fords, but then got couple with higher setting. Is it the method we use in setting our controllers? Is it a preference kind of thing? I would like to explore this more. I am no expert, I use the "gravel test" as I was taught with my travel trailer?

[WaltBennett]

I'd say preference is the biggest one, followed by differences in brake condition, vehicles, etc.

[mlh]

The controller on the trucks are very close to being the same from truck to another from brand to brand not so. That leaves only two things people and the trailer. People have different preferences and not all trailer brakes are the same.
Lynwood

[JandC]

Maybe the range in numbers on the controllers really isn't that far apart. In other words, how much difference is there between having it set on 7 or having it set on 8? Can you really notice that difference?

[bigskyjimmy]

I can feel the difference on mine, when I am going down a steep grade I will set it to 7-8 but around town ,hwy etc.. down to about 5 there is less jerking and grabbing on the lower settings on mine especially coming up to stop lights

[BB_TX]

Brake condition/adjustment is critical. Back in the spring on our first short trip I noticed the trailer brakes were not holding well with my controller set at 9.5. Bumped it to the max 10.0. Upon returning home, I adjusted the brakes (manual adjustment brakes). Afterward I did the gravel test and the brakes quickly locked up at the slightest touch of the manual activation. Had to reduce the setting to 8.0, and probably could have gone lower. But on pavement they seem to be just about right.

[Chasnracin]

I think it is primarily the difference in the trailer brakes. Each is going to apply a little differently just like vehicles do. That plus each driver likes a little different feel. For me, I prefer my TV to do the primary braking, meaning when I hit the brakes, I don't like to feel the trailer trying to pull me backwards. But that's me...

[Carl n Susan]

I have my Ford controller set to 10 (unlike most). Why? I don't know. I have never been impressed with the braking pwoer of the RV. I don't have access to a gravel road (and I avoid them like the plague) to test the "lock up" but they sure don't lock on pavement. I rarely use the brakes as Tow/Haul (on all the time) does most of the braking for me. Obviously in town driving requires brakes but then I am moving too slow there for it to make a difference given the proportional braking effect of the controller. But when I really, really wants brakes, and a whole bunch of them, I want the controller to pump all the 12V it can to them. I have never had the RV pull my TV enough to concern me.

[bethandkevin]

Usually set my IBC on my Silverado at 3 or 3.5. When I test the brakes before pulling on the road, it will squat the truck right down in the rear.

[sola123]

After we installed the new self adjusting brakes and completed a short break- in period we settled on the setting of 8 in our F350....we like to feel the trailer kinda help drag the truck to a stop instead of pushing us...that's how we judge where to set the controller....

[Recumbent]

With previous 5th wheel we used setting of 7, but with 3725RL having 2000 lbs more trailer we now use 8. We test on level pavement going very slow using only the trailer brakes and not locking up. A bit off topic, but I do the Easy-Lub slow spinning wheel and slow grease hand pumping with the Level-Up having all 4 tires off ground so have checked and rechecked each wheel for sound and actual stopping of wheel, then go out and do the street test.