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Old 02-22-2020, 05:08 PM   #1
rkocampo
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Brakes

I just got a 3121RL and noticed that the brakes were a little weak even though my electric brake was set on 10. It seems like they don’t grab so good. I’ve towed trailers before, and it seems like I just had to set the electric brake on 5 or 6 and they seemed to grab a lot more than this one. Any advice?
 
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Old 02-22-2020, 05:36 PM   #2
Mikendebbie
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Just curious- what year and make is your truck?
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Old 02-22-2020, 05:41 PM   #3
Daryles
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Maybe jack up one side (use hydraulic jacks system) spin the tires and have someone press the breaks just to see if they are working at all.
Or take it to the dealer...
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Old 02-22-2020, 05:43 PM   #4
rkocampo
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F350 2017
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Old 02-22-2020, 09:17 PM   #5
DQDick
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If the Fords are like the newer Dodges there is a setting for each of the different types of brakes you might have. See what it's set for.
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Old 02-23-2020, 05:16 AM   #6
Ahdmeyer
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dont know for sure if this applies to your truck or maybe you already know about it but here it is anyway
https://owner.ford.com/support/how-t...ntroller.html#

al meyer
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Old 02-23-2020, 07:31 AM   #7
akoske
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I would check to make sure all for wheels are braking. Could be a electrical issue or just simply out of adjustment.
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Old 02-23-2020, 08:14 AM   #8
Theunz
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Or it could be that the drum brakes are woefully inadequate for the weight of the trailer. There have been many reports of weak brakes on these heavy trailers. I pulled mine with two different trucks and multiple brake adjustments with the same result. While the truck and trailer brakes together stopped ok, the trailer brakes alone were best described as being as effective as “Fred Flintstone brakes”. I switched to discs.
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Old 02-23-2020, 08:44 AM   #9
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Another thing you could check is if you have the EZ lube spindles. Some on the MOC swear by that option and others swear at it. Remove a wheel or two and check to see if there is grease all over your brake shoes.
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Old 02-23-2020, 11:31 AM   #10
GAinaMontana
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Ford oem brake controllers have a fade out as the truck slows down. You need to be at 25+ mph when you test the settings. JMO, go with disc brakes. Best investment you can make in your trailer.
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Old 02-23-2020, 05:31 PM   #11
rkocampo
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I did not do the 25+ MPH trick
I will do that and see if that takes care of my situation
Thank all of you for the quick responses
We will be taking out the coach this coming weekend to “shake” it out
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Old 02-23-2020, 06:45 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkocampo View Post
I just got a 3121RL and noticed that the brakes were a little weak even though my electric brake was set on 10. It seems like they don’t grab so good. I’ve towed trailers before, and it seems like I just had to set the electric brake on 5 or 6 and they seemed to grab a lot more than this one. Any advice?
When I got my 3820FK new in 2017, I had the same thing. The experts at CW told me since this was a bigger 5er than what I traded in, that I shouldn't expect the same braking performance as my smaller Montana HC, so set the integrated controller to 10 and be happy. Nothing was done while the unit was under warranty. Fast forward to this past summer (2019). I had a trailer place that I have used for years for all my out of warranty paid work do the grease and repack service. When they pulled the drums off, they found 3 of 4 brakes full of grease. Bingo - found my poor braking performance. The only thing they could tell me was that it was probably over-greased at the factory since it was like that since new. So my recommendation - have someone you trust physically look at the brakes and adjusters (if you don't have the auto-adjusters). Replaced my backing plates, bearings, everything on both axles - $900 later my brakes will lock up and grab at 5-6. Still needs more stopping distance than my last 5er but I'm 5000 pounds heavier.
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Old 02-23-2020, 07:31 PM   #13
rohrmann
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allenclme View Post
When I got my 3820FK new in 2017, I had the same thing. The experts at CW told me since this was a bigger 5er than what I traded in, that I shouldn't expect the same braking performance as my smaller Montana HC, so set the integrated controller to 10 and be happy. Nothing was done while the unit was under warranty. Fast forward to this past summer (2019). I had a trailer place that I have used for years for all my out of warranty paid work do the grease and repack service. When they pulled the drums off, they found 3 of 4 brakes full of grease. Bingo - found my poor braking performance. The only thing they could tell me was that it was probably over-greased at the factory since it was like that since new. So my recommendation - have someone you trust physically look at the brakes and adjusters (if you don't have the auto-adjusters). Replaced my backing plates, bearings, everything on both axles - $900 later my brakes will lock up and grab at 5-6. Still needs more stopping distance than my last 5er but I'm 5000 pounds heavier.

If you are still not quite happy with the braking on your heavier rig and would like better braking than you could ever imagine, upgrade to disc brakes. I've been there with greased brakes, failed parts, and the last straw was an entire backing plate assembly coming apart, found when I was repacking the bearings last year. At our spring rally at Coos Bay last year, I had Performance Trailer Braking install electric over hydraulic disc brakes on our rig, and even with perfect drum brakes with the controller set to 10, I could never lock up the wheels. Now, we run the controller at 4.5 and the truck and trailer combination stops better and feels like one rig. There has been testing done, and the results are that just operating the disc brakes on the trailer can stop the combination much shorter than than the same truck and trailer, with the drums on the trailer, and both the truck and trailer brakes activated. https://performancetrailerbraking.com/
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Old 02-24-2020, 05:24 AM   #14
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Planning on it. That's on my pre-retirement list before we go full time. Was thinking about the Morryde independent suspension and disc brakes. Just haven't decided if I want to drag the rig to Indiana or Oregon to have it done.
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Old 02-25-2020, 08:36 PM   #15
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There are 3 different settings of 1-10 on the newer Fords. Make sure yours isn't in the lowest tier.
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