Brand new rpod, soft brakes?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8364
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Topic: Brand new rpod, soft brakes?
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Subject: Brand new rpod, soft brakes?
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2016 at 6:09pm
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Brand new rpod. Soft brakes?
I drove home from taking delivery on an rpod 180, 2016. I thought the trailer brakes were going to be more effective in stopping. The tech set the controller ato 3.0. He said It felt good. (In the dealer parking lot, slow speed. While driving 110 miles home I set the controller to maximum. 13.0. I finally felt something assist from the trailer 1. Is there a brake-in period? Should I just wait? 2. Does self adjusting help? Reverse, brake. Forward, brake, repeat 3. Does anyone else have this issue? 4. Am I expecting too much out of the trailer braking? 5. What's wrong? ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2016 at 6:44pm
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What controller are you using?Maximum gain should have the trailer tires skidding on the pavement. (You shouldn't do that) Backing does adjust/tighten them. I have mine adjusted so it feels like the truck is braking in the normal distance when braking with the trailer. I find it's almost enough to skid the tires in our gravel driveway. ------------- |
Posted By: flat6s
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2016 at 7:48pm
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My controller has two adjusments. On the side is a slider that adjust how hard the brakes come on.The the control that you are talking about sets When the brakes come on. On my 180, 3.0 is too mch brake. I like about 2.5. But, if you have the other control set for the brakes to come very very light, you might nit be getting any brake action at all. Look for the other control, whech is usually a slider on the side, set it so your brakes come on HARD. I am betting this will solve your problem. Joe
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Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2016 at 10:45pm
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I was told by my dealer when first starting out after not using the trailer for a few days or longer, to hold the brake controller control on so that some braking is put on the Rod brakes. Hold on for about 1 mile or so until you feel the brakes of the trailer starting to slow the vehicle. Release the control and then drive normally. On our setup it really makes a difference on applying the brakes. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2016 at 8:55am
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Thanks everyone for your advice. What I'm going to do is select the boost on the brake controller and increase the Boost action. I've been breaking with little to no boost set in the lowest position. ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: mtbmitch
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2016 at 11:55pm
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Does the trailer pull to one side when applying the brakes? If not then I suspect the brake shoes have some grease from sloppy assembly at FR. ------------- enjoy the fresh air |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 12:04am
If I remember right when I was haveing brake problems and talked to FR, they said the axels come completely assembled from lippert ,I might be wrong Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 1:02am
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Last year at the Goshen rally They installed a new Lippert axel on my Pod. When we were leaving the CG I stepped on the brakes ----- no brakes at all. Called FR they said the brakes are coated with some kind of varnish and has to wear of. 200 miles later all good. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 8:41am
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Here's another question related to the topic. How tight should the brakes be? I raised my R-Pod up to grease the hubs. On the driver's side of my 179, the wheel rotates relatively freely, but on the passenger side, it seems to really drag, enough so that it is hard to turn the wheel. Is that too tight? I would think that they should be equally easy or hard to rotate if they are self-adjusting.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |