Jump to content

Weak trailer brake output

Greyhound6.2
 Share

Recommended Posts

Greyhound6.2 Enthusiast

Greyhound6.2

Posted
Posted

Has anyone else noticed their trailer brakes feel weak on their 20 sierra 1500? Mine is a max Tow pkg with the 6.2

 

I tow a 8.5 x20 enclosed trailer tandem axles with dexter self adjusting brakes on both axles weighs about 5500-6K lbs  loaded. I used to tow that trailer with a V8 Grand Cherokee with an aftermarket brake controller and it stopped great, frequently felt like the trailer was stopping the jeep if the gain was much over 6. I have the gain set on the integrated controller in my truck at 10 and it feels like I have less braking power than I had on my Grand cherokee at a gain of 6-7.  I Towed my buddies trailer about the same weight but manually adjusted brakes from STL to Moab Utah and back and had to stop and adjust his brakes as I had almost no trailer brakes. He tows with a 2016 silverado  integrated brake controller and had to adjust the drum brakes back down as he had too much brake force when connected to his truck. Anyone experience something similar? Or advice on how to improve trailer braking power?

  • Like 1
calgator73 Senior Enthusiast

calgator73

Posted
Posted (edited)

With the gain set to maximum when you use the manual brake at full detent you should see line voltage between pin 2 and pin 1.

 

Leave your gain set to maximum and have someone slowly push the brake pedal to the floor while you look at the multimeter. Somewhere before the bottom of the travel you should see line voltage between pin two and pin one.

 

If you are indeed seeing that and the braking force isn't sufficient then I think you need to look at your trailer brakes.

 

At work we have several vehicles with really crappy brake controllers that are time-based and not proportional based off pedal position.  Absolutely hate those because it chews up the trailer brakes.

 

A tekonsha P3 is a proportional brake controller that has an internal inertial sensor.  The harder it senses you applying the brakes the more braking it gives you on the trailer.  This also has a boost function if you want to apply even quicker.

 

Neither one of these features are available from the OEM.  Aside from sway control the only control the factory brake controller has over the trailer brakes to my knowledge is a proportional output based on your gain setting and the brake pedal position.

Edited by calgator73
redwngr Senior Enthusiast

redwngr

Posted
Posted

Factory integrated brake controller does have output that is proportional to the braking level applied to the vehicle, and to the gain setting on the control. 

 

I have more than one Dexter axle equipped enclosed trailer.  Mine are working fine with the factory controllers.

 

They are not used frequently, so each time I hook one up I plug/unplug the 7-pin several times to improve contact. I also drag the brakes lightly  when first pulling to polish of any surface corrosion.  The go thru the exercise of following recommended procedure for setting the correct gain for the current load. 

 

Similar story with a larger and heavier loaded flat deck that was used much more often, but has now been sold. It was pulled with a 2011 2500 with ITBC. the enclosed ones have been behind several '11 and newer 1500 and 2500's.

 

Don't think I've ever needed to set one near maximum. 

 

 

 

Waaazooo Senior Enthusiast

Waaazooo

Posted
Posted

Make sure your brake wires aren’t chewy through at the axle. Happened to me on my trailer either it got tangled ona branch or maybe a chipmunk.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Greyhound6.2 Enthusiast

Greyhound6.2

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I did look at my trailer and the brake wiring and drums look good, Guess I am assuming the different brake feel is the difference between a controller that has inertia and proportional vs just proportional. 

jnissen Enthusiast

jnissen

Posted
Posted

One other report of weak activation of brakes. Think that user took it back to dealer and found the connector back at trailer connector needed to be reseated

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,840
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    appletrav
    Newest Member
    appletrav
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 376 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉
    • Coastie05
      give me some tips to make my truck look better

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      Go back to OEM wheels. 
    • newdude
      2020 Trailboss 6.2 replacement

      By newdude · Posted

      Probably not their first rodeo, so it should go as planned most likely.  Typically the service manager or tech doing the swap will put some seat time to shake it down after they get it all put back together.  We usually put 50-100mi before we hand them back so if something happens, its not after you get it.  A coolant leaks, oil leaks, a ground left off or loose, vibration, etc.     The new engines so far have been good?  There's been a couple that have popped out there again (the replacement engine) but most have been okay.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...