Brake Controller question

[Rondo]

For those that have the GM TVs with the built-in brake controllers. What setting do you run yours at when towing the Monte? I've been running at 3.5 but not sure it is the correct setting to run at! Any help or advice would be appreciated!

[rames14]

I believe we are running at 6 or 6.5. There was a posting on this earlier this year.

[Art-n-Marge]

Hey Rondo,

I (only) have a Ford F250 with the integrated controller (LOVE IT) but I do know that the brand of truck has anything to do with the actual setting. Everyone will have a setting that has to be tuned for their rig combination.

Even if you and Rames14 had the same trucks and trailer, this is something to check at the start of every trip and within 50 or 100 miles because your truck or trailer brakes might be older or newer, you could be loaded differently, full tanks or not, you could have different suspension/brake aftermarket options, etc. I recheck after our first rest stop. I use between 6.0 and 7.5. Yup, I have had that high of a swing depending on the load of the trailer and truck. If we have a longer trip the rig will be heavier, etc. Do these factors make sense?

There should be some place documented in your truck manual on how to do this but it should say something like this: In a safe place drive up to about 25 mph then using ONLY the trailer brake switch (on the Ford it's a slide switch on the controller) hit it and the trailer should skid to a stop. If your rig glides to a stop then you probably need a higher setting. If your trailer stops so abruptly that if feels like it's gonna rip the hitch off, well then you need a lower setting. If you have had to change it at all you should retest again. Hint: You might have figured it's better to have a lower setting than a higher setting when doing this because the first time you buck like crazy you'll freak out.

Have fun trying this out,
Art

[HughM]

I have the GM built in brake controller and use 7.0 for the setting. Be sure to test your controller in a parking lot and work your way up to where you are confortable. I would start off a 5.5 and try it and then go up to 6.0 until you are sure the trailer is braking the truck and not the truck braking the trailer. Read "jack knife" here if the truck is doing all the braking.
Hugh