Setting Your Trailer Brakes - Fiberglass RV
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Old 04-21-2009, 08:30 AM   #1
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I have a question of judgment.
The instructions for setting up the electric brake with the prodigy say you should drive along at 20mph or so and adjust the grab so that is locks up the trailer wheels and skid to a stop.
That seemed just a bit too extreme to me so I have mine adjusted somewhere south of that. Just enough to drag. I can stop the whole rig in a reasonable distance with the trailer brakes only. But they never skid.

How do you set up yours?
Am I being dangerous by not setting the prodigy as high as they say?
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Old 04-21-2009, 09:09 AM   #2
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I set mine up like yours with a slight drag..... I don't think i want mine to skid at 20mph.....just imagine what that would do in the rain when the trailer starts sliding out and your tv isn't.... I actually test mine in the rain just to make sure it doesn't slide out to one side
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Old 04-21-2009, 09:31 AM   #3
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You should adjust your brakes so that at 25 mph they just lock up, then back off just a wee bit until they no longer lock up. This gives you the maximum braking power without lockup should you need to stop fast.

It is also imperative that you check this operation frequently with any brake controller. Many people just hook up and go most of the time.
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Old 04-21-2009, 03:05 PM   #4
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Jim has it right, the lock-up point is just a step to establish a reference and then you adjust forslightly less from there.

Here's an extract from the Prodigy OM; note steps #3 & 4:

"1. Connect trailer to tow vehicle.

2. With engine running hold manual full left and set
Power Knob to indicate 6.0

3. Drive tow vehicle and trailer on a dry level paved
surface at 25 mph and fully apply manual knob.
✓ If trailer brakes lock up:
❑ Turn power down using power knob.
✓ If braking was not sufficient:
❑ Turn power up using power knob.

4. Repeat Step (3) until power has been set to a point
just below wheel lock up or at a sufficient force as
to achieve maximum braking power.

5. Using the brake pedal, make a few low speed
stops to check the power setting. Trailer braking is
initiated and terminated via the stoplight switch.
When the brake pedal is released, trailer braking
will cease."
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