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Dave & Donna
Groupie
Joined: 18 Apr 2017
Location: Nebraska
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Posts: 55
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Calendar Event: Trailer Brakes Posted: 27 Apr 2017 at 10:44pm |
Hello all! Our TV is a 2011 VIC Crew Cab w/tow package. When we picked up our 179 the person doing the walk around said to set the break setting to 4.5 or 5. I'd like to know if anyone has the same TV and could had some info! I'm not sure I notice anything when I apply my brakes.
Thanks in advance!!
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D&D plus Rusty
2017.5 R-pod 179
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Guests
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Posted: 28 Apr 2017 at 7:31am |
What the person recommended might be considered a "starting point". You may need to adjust up or down from there to get the best results. It sounds like you may need to adjust up/more aggressive.
I adjust mine at "city speeds" - like stopping from 30mph. You want to "feel" the braking of the trailer, but not "grabbing" or too aggressive.
Every situation is going to be a little different, as far as the "right" setting goes, as it depends on several factors. It will also vary with time depending on the wear of the brake shoes on the trailer.
So, even if I had the same tow vehicle, brake controller, and model of Pod, my setting my differ somewhat from yours. What would concern me is if you were at maximum setting and still not feeling braking. If that were happening, it would be time to troubleshoot and get out the wrenches.
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Dave & Donna
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Joined: 18 Apr 2017
Location: Nebraska
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Posts: 55
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Posted: 29 Apr 2017 at 8:53am |
Thank you for your reply! I'll try it. I always worry about screwing something up....burn up trailer breaks!!
Have a Great day.
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D&D plus Rusty
2017.5 R-pod 179
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Guests
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Posted: 29 Apr 2017 at 10:41am |
Happy to do so!
One thing I do when traveling is - when stopping for fuel, as the tank is filling, is to go around and feel each wheel to see if it seems excessively hot or hotter than another. Some even use the infra-red heat guns to check this. If one is running hot, it could indicated a brake dragging or a wheel bearing in trouble.
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lostagain
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Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
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Posted: 29 Apr 2017 at 11:09am |
David, Thanks for the great suggestion.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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RichC
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Joined: 24 Feb 2017
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 70
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Posted: 29 Apr 2017 at 3:12pm |
I'm very new to the pod so I'm not sure if I'm interpreting my experience correctly. However, on our first trip about 5 weeks ago I too couldn't really feel the trailer brakes and had to set controller over 8.
After the second day, and after backing up a couple of times, the brakes kicked in real good.
My question to some one who knows: Do the brakes self adjust on back up? I think some self-adjusting brakes work that way.
Now controller set a 4.5
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2017 RP171
2018 Ford Explorer
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rda54
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Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Location: Minnesota
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Posts: 106
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Posted: 29 Apr 2017 at 3:24pm |
The DOT says that if you compress the controller and it hold the load you have it set right.WE
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Ronald & Lonna
2014 178
2016 Chevy 1500
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RichC
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Joined: 24 Feb 2017
Location: Chicago
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Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 10:53am |
That was what I did the first trip to arrive at a setting over 8. After a few back-ups the brakes were grabbing. I repeated the setting process and ended up at 4+. Don't know why.
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2017 RP171
2018 Ford Explorer
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
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Posts: 451
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Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 1:46pm |
Yes the drum brakes should self adjust when in reverse.
I use a Tekonsha P3 brake controller. I tried what many online have suggested and set the voltage level to get the Pod brakes to lock at 20 mph in a parking lot, but they NEVER locked, so I set the voltage to where it didn't yank at tow vehicle using normal baking. 6.2 volts and B1 boost level. It behaved very well for me. I tried some HARD braking from 40 mph on an empty road, and it was good.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
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Posts: 3419
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Posted: 30 Apr 2017 at 3:03pm |
+1 - I tried the 20 mph process and it didn't work as detailed. What I do, is ensure the Pod is on level ground, put the TV in gear, I increase the braking until the idle of the TV no longer pulls the Pod ahead. I know then the Pod is offering resistance to the TV, and that is really all you need. It should be a balanced brake effort.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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