Ford built in brake controllers

[DCP]

For you guys with new Fords with the built in controller, I have to run mine at the max level 10 to get it to work good. What are you guys running?

[JimnJulie]

It came set at 10 from the factory. It worked great when I pulled off of the lot with the trailer for the first time, so I just left it there. Got a little over 1800 miles on five different trips and no problems yet.

[montanared]

I tried different settings, and the only way I could get a good pull was on the max setting. I am guessing a smaller, lighter trailer would require less, but my 3685 needs "full power." That is no way meant to say I am not satisfied. I love the built in brake controller and it works wonderfully with my Montana.

[Broome101]

Mine is set on 6, any higher than that it stops too abrupt.

[Wrenchtraveller]

Same with me 6.5 is perfect, 7 locks the wheels up. This is by far the sweetest brake control I have owned in the last 20 years.

[Fordzilla]

I think it depends on how well your trailer brakes are set up as well. I have been meaning to adjust my trailer brakes as well because I run mine on 9.

[Sweetfire]

6.5 for me.

[Sunshine]

Hubby has ours set on 8 right now. He says he's going to adjust the brakes on the trailer up before our trip to Indiana this fall.

[Montana_1240]

Mine's been around a 7 forever.

Steve

[Jerzy54]

8.5 for me is a good setting.

[Wordsmith]

I have been running mine at 8.

[richfaa]

Set at 7 with the 3400 rl works good.

[timandsusan]

2.5 for my Ford with the 3475RL.

Tim

[tcorbitt]

6.5...at 7, It will lock up the trailer wheels if I really try.

TC

[wa4bmg]

Running at 8.5 with trailer weighing in at 16,500 lbs. Anything above 8.5 locks up brakes.

[Montana_5991]

I used 6.5 on my 2006 6.0 F250 SC LB, running a 2002, 9,000lb, Keystone Bobcat TT. I just sold it and Plan to buy a 3400RL next Jan or Feb.

[sreigle]

I ran mine at 8.5 with trailer weight at 14,360. If yours won't handle the load at less than ten I'd have Ford check it out. You can pre-check it yourself by pulling the manual brake slider closed while at speed. You should feel significant braking. Mine will not lock the wheels when I do that but the braking is obvious.

A couple of weeks ago we had the brakes checked on our trailer. It had been two years and probably 30,000 miles since they were replaced. The linings were at about 50% life remaining and zero heat stress cracks or signs of problems. The dealer told me keep doing whatever we're doing. I had controller at 8.5. So I bumped it to 9.0, figuring there is some room there for even better braking. I may even try 9.5.

Isn't that controller amazing in its smoothness? I also really like having the truck computer apply ABS to the trailer wheels, too.

[trukdoc]

I started at 10 but found the trailer slowing the truck down. This will put a lot of stress, heat and wear on the trailer brakes. I experimented with settings and I like 8.5.
As Sreigle said the braking is extremely smooth and I might guess that those of you that are used to motion activated controllers are used to the "bump" against the truck to tell that it is working. With this system there is no "bump" when it is set right.

[adelmoll]

Bill runs ours at 5.5. I just love it. No more white knuckles/

Helen

[Native Tex]

I just re-adjusted the brakes on our 3400RL and am anxious to see if it helped. Prior to adjustment I had to run about a 7 to get a good feeling of control. I could not do a manual lock and that did concern me. I think I finally got all the connections fixed too so the error messages have stopped. That was a realy pain in the rear!