Brakes
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8385
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 9:01am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Brakes
Posted By: Pilot
Subject: Brakes
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2016 at 9:52am
 Okay, on that 5000 mile trip I talked about in the Fridge topic the brakes pulse when you come to a final stop. I have an istop unit that is inertia driven and have tried numerous settings.The directions say to turn it up to a setting that locks the brakes when you apply at 25mph. Never could get it to do that. Have it set on 9.5. The brakes are working but pilse on and off as you come to final stop. Any thoughts? Trying to get into General RV for that too. ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Replies:
Posted By: Oharley
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2016 at 10:08am
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I have the same problem on my RP-179. We purchased it in May and since day one I haven't been able to get the brakes to lock even at the max setting. I'm using the Tekonsha P3 controller. I'd be interested to know what information this forum can provide as well. ------------- RP 179 2016 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 4x4 |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 12:40pm
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Does your controller have a boost setting? Mine has three settings no boost, boost and max boost ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 1:32pm
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Mine has no boost and boost one and two. ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 6:25pm
I have a 2015 179 RPOD and a RAM 1500 like you (2016 model), but I have the factory controller. Yet when mine is at max settings the wheels don't lock either. However, when set at 7.5 or 8 it seems to work fine so I don't worry about it too much. But I do wonder if there's something up with the trailer because I had the same situation with my previous truck, a 2011 Silverado with factory controller. Never could get the trailer to lock. ------------- |
Posted By: bjk
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 12:09am
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After getting my truck back today from the shop and told how much my front brakes are worn, I'm also going to be revisiting the brake controller settings (I have a prodigy RF). I thought the dealer had told me that my 2016 179 brakes wouldn't ever lock even on the max settings. I took his word for it but am thinking I may need to to do more experimenting.
------------- 2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino" 2011 F-150 SLX |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 8:06am
Oh yes, the brakes will, and should lock way before the max setting. Mine would lock with my prodigy set at around 5.6; Brakes are brakes except for ABS. I have read of issues with the built-in factory controllers some trucks come with are not as good, and some install a Prodigy or similar anyway. The strange issue I have run into is that before any trip, I do the whole "run it to 25mph, lock up the brakes, then bring the setting down to right before it locks" (I have the Prodigy P2). After about 5 hours of travel (with gas stops of course), my brakes begin to lock up and I have to bring the P2 settings way down to around 2ish. You would think it would be the opposite with hot brakes and they would fade and i would need to increase the setting.....odd, although I have also needed to lower my settings after driving on a bumpy road. |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 11:03am
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This has been an interesting conversation. Glad I opened it up.
Does anyone have a controller (not factory) that works as advertised and they like? Brand and model? ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 11:17am
My POD braking power increased significantly after my first bearing service because I cleaned and de-greased the inside of the brake hub where the magnet makes contact and cleaned the magnet itself. Made a world of difference for me. YMMV.  ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 11:17am
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Imo I don't think you want the trailer brakes locking up ,as explained to me when I had brake problems a couple of years ago, the trailer brakes are ddesigned to slow or stop the trailer and the tv brakes are designed to slow or stop the tow vehicle. I have never been able to lock up the wheels on the rpod on pavement , auto manufactures have proven a vehicle will stop fast and safer with anti locking brakes.when setting my controller I set the gain to where I get a drag on the trailer using the controller only. So far seems ok. Jo and moe
------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: Pilot
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 11:27am
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What brand and model have you? ------------- Walt & Lynne 2015 r-pod 177 08 F150 or 2014 Explorer Pinckney,Mi |
Posted By: ronahue
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 11:34am
I have a Primus IQ in my Nissan Frontier towing a R179 and I am very happy with the performance. I have about 10,000 miles on this setup. ------------- Ron & Sharon 2015 R-Pod 179 2022 Nissan Frontier No trees were harmed in the sending of this message but a billion electrons were really agitated |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 2:22pm
+1 ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 3:57pm
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Iv'e always considered locking the brakes up on the POD, a test. Not a preferred setting while towing. It's test to make sure the brakes are actually working to their full potential. Adjust from there accordingly. Nobody wants to tow any kind of a trailer around with brakes that lock up.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2016 at 5:04pm
+1 I'ts a scary situation when you are travelling on wet, windy roads downhill. It happened to me last year driving home through WVA, and I was not aware it was the controller. Once I stopped on the side of the road and thought of it, I turned turned it down and all was well. The "bang" of the brakes locking is very unsettling.
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Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 7:12am
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That's what I get with my brake controller. I set it with enough boost to make the trailer brakes to drag a bit at 20 mogul with the transmission in neutral. ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 7:12am
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Mpg ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 7:14am
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MPH, oh my ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |
Posted By: bjk
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 1:34pm
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Yesterday I was doing figure-eights in my neighborhood (circling blocks to test my new WDH) and also testing my brakes. Came close to getting them to lock, but never did a slow speeds. Definitely feel the desired drag, but even at max, it never locked the brakes. ------------- 2016 HRE R-179 "CapPODccino" 2011 F-150 SLX |
Posted By: Jazz trumpet
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 4:11pm
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I couldn't get mine to lock either. ------------- John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban |