HOW TO USE YOUR TOW VEHICLE'S BRAKE CONTROLLER | Ridin' With Randy

Today, Randy breaks down the process of adjusting your brake controller to the optimal settings for your vehicle-trailer combination into simple step-by-step instructions. Follow The Yellow Shirt on social media to stay up to date on all things Pete's RV!
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Pete’s RV Center is an exceptional dealership group serving the United States and Canada since 1952. With multiple locations, Pete’s RV provides sales, service, parts, accessories, and education to our community of RVers all across North America.

[@jackstitt1395]

Great instructional. I think there is a lot of folks towing that aren't really sure how best to set their brakes.

[@petesrvtv]

Thanks for watching!

[@DrewJackson-vc8yr]

Thank you for explaining this in a way I understood it.

[@CrimsonMonsoon2818]

i came for the brake controller and stayed for the beard

[@petesrvtv]

😂👍

[@wintersfarm1340]

Proper trailer brake proportion with the trailer should brake in the sequence trailer axle(s) brake, drive axle then steer. You want a slight pull on the trailer so when you are braking, the drive unit is still "pulling" the trailer.

[@steveneldred8928]

My wife and I just purchased a 2012 Buick Enclave. It has a factory install receiver, 7 blade electrical connection, and a button on the dash that has the image of a utility trailer on it. But, I can't find if it is equipped with electric trailer brakes. Where is and what would the controller in the cabin look like if it has one? Thanks for any help.

[@pizzapizza4991]

How do you tell if it’s on 7 or 8? There are no numbers to see.

[@randalmurray3624]

Hey there, Most of todays newer proportional controllers have numbers on them or on the dash. If your controller is older or a time delay unit , you may not, at that point use percentages with the adjustment control, as in a quarter turn = 25%, half turn = 50% and so on. Thanks for checking in Randy

[@malcolmtowne2614]

I like to set mine so it feels like there is no trailer.

[@m_ssingp_eces]

I’m new to all this. My camper deliver is on Friday. RAM’s instructions are to do a few passes and set the gain just below trailer lockup when applying max manual braking at 25mph (assuming the trailer brakes are capable of locking up w/ the load).
Have you ever used RAM’s method and how does it compare to the vid here? Thanks!

[@randalmurray3624]

Hey there, I have been educating people on how to use brake controllers for 25 years with no issue, not once have I ever heard what you are saying it says in your Dodge manual. I strongly disagree with what your manual says, as it could be dangerous and will damage your tires in my opinion. If you were picking your trailer up from my team, you would be directed just as it say in the video on how to properly use your Brake Controller.
Congratulations on your new purchase! Have fun and be safe! - Randy

[@m_ssingp_eces]

@@randalmurray3624 Interesting. I understand your counterpoints. Curious why they would specify it this way. I just looked up Ford's instructions for a newer model F250 and it more or less says the same thing.
From Ford:
"Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the gain setting is at a point just below trailer wheel lock-up."
From RAM:
"Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below trailer wheel lockup."

[@randalmurray3624]

Ok so you guys got me interested and I’ve done a little homework. Looks like they are squeezing the slide bar ( close to lock up ) and setting the high point, whereas I’m using feel at a low point to in turn set the high point. I would be willing to bet, with both methods tried, you are within .5 of each other. Proportional controllers definitely have a working range depending on how hard you apply the brakes. Thanks for the input and watching!

[@m_ssingp_eces]

Just wanted to update here. During delivery they setup my break controller to a gain setting where the trailer brakes stopped the truck and trailer within 10 seconds at 5mph. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Cracklejackel66]

If you have a 4x4 and only have one set of chains which axle should you put it on front or back?

[@lk-xj7my]

Front

[@randalmurray3624]

Hey there, we don’t use chains much on the East Coast unless we are logging, I don’t want to answer your question as I don’t have any experience using chains on the main roads. I do put them on my tractor and I use the front wheels as they are posi traction and the chains help me steer in icy and deep snow conditions. Thanks for watching - Randy

[@MrFreeze79]

What about the sync? No one ever talks about that. 😢