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Towing and brakes

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Gunnyjack View Drop Down
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    Posted: 28 Apr 2014 at 8:50pm
Hello All - nice to see a forum like this for R-Pod owners! We just purchased a 178. We've pulled pups for years, but the move to the R-Pod necessitated the addition of a brake controller to my truck (according to the dealer anyway - I didn't argue). After leaving the dealership, I pulled it for about 100 miles before I realized that the trailer brakes may have been partially engaged that whole way. So I just cranked the controller unit down to zero for the balance of the trip. The instructions may as well have been written in Greek. Can anyone give me some pointers on how to properly utilize one of these units? We live in a mountainous area, so I do see the value of one of these. Assuming one knows how to use it...

Thanks,

Gunnyjack
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JIMTAM View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JIMTAM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2014 at 4:00pm
I notice no one seems to have replied and this is really a big deal. We have a prodigy brake controller and we just meticulously follow the instructions (before we start a trip, moving slowly, use the manual brake by increasing the amount of braking until the trailer stops). We are so glad we did as we had a sway issue this summer and this helped immensely. We had fresh water in the trailer and it caused way too much weight in the back. Though we have driven the trailer for years we are researching adding a weight distribution and sway bar with the brake controller also for ease of mind.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HuronSailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2014 at 10:04am
The instructions for my brake controller were pretty basic: start out around the halfway mark on the dial, then move forward slowly and apply the brakes. If the trailer locks up, back off the controller and retest. Repeat until brakes don't lock up. End of instructions.

I usually start out around at around the 1/4 mark or even less. If I hear the drawbar clunk in the receiver when I come to a stop I know the trailer is pushing the truck a little bit, so I dial in just a tiny bit more until the clunking goes away. It really depends on your tow vehicle's weight and brakes and the brake controller, so it takes some experimenting and some experience. Eventually you'll get a good idea if your settings are right just by how much brake pedal pressure it takes to come to a stop. Mine stays at around the 1/3 mark almost all the time. 

If you have an infrared thermometer (less than $20 on Amazon) you can check your brakes at a rest stop. The front tow vehicle brakes should be the hottest, the rear brakes should be slightly cooler, then the pod brakes even cooler. You can also shoot the bearing covers while you're at it.

You might also try a YouTube search. Amazing what you can find on that site.
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Gunnyjack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gunnyjack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Sep 2014 at 10:20pm
Thank you for your assistance! Yes, trial and error seems to have done the trick and I'm pretty sure they work as designed now. My biggest concern was what the dealer had it set to when I left the lot. If I'd had that thermometer as you suggest (which is a GREAT idea by the way), I think I'd have been quite shocked upon arrival back home (200 miles away).
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Gunnyjack View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gunnyjack Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Sep 2014 at 10:25pm
Thanks Jimtam. I bet we have the same controller! Several trips later (and the addition of a sway bar) seem to have done the trick. Your reply is much appreciated.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote furpod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 11:34am
Also, it's a continuous thing to keep an eye on. Temperature, humidity, pod loading and terrain all have an affect on the brakes. I probably do some adjusting just about every trip.
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