Trailer Brake Issue - F150

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by hazmat456

I have a 16 F250 and my manual says nothing of the sort. page 205 is about towing the vehicle. The section about trailer towing is before that. What I can tell you is that my trailer brakes can lock up and skid to a complete stop, I see no evidence of the brake controller lowering the voltage.

I would suggest to the OP that the settings my be for electric over hydraulic, or something other than 2 axle electric.

My post that you quoted is directed to a member who has a 2014 F150. In HIS owner's manual, the part I quoted is on page 205.

If you take a look in YOUR 2016 F250 owner's manual, at the last bullet statement on page 200, you'll find the EXACT same statement:

"The trailer brake controller is equipped
with a feature that reduces output at
vehicle speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h)
so trailer and vehicle braking is not jerky
or harsh. This feature is only active
when applying the brakes using your
vehicle's brake pedal, not the
controller."

You just didn't look quite hard enough in either of the manuals....

[hazmat456]

Your right John, I didn't look hard enough. It may reduce the gain but it can't be by much. I can lock the car trailer wheels at a slow roll on gravel if I stab the brakes hard.

[NH_Bulldog]

In the 2015 F150 manual it is page 266.

More importantly than page numbers (since every year and model is different), is that one read, understand and follow the manufacturers directions for setting the power and gain based on their specific tow vehicle and specific trailer they are towing.

[BigBobIa]

On my RAM you drive 20-25 and squeeze the manual. If the trailer locks up lower gain one until it does not lock. Then raise one.

[NH_Bulldog]

Originally Posted by BigBobIa

On my RAM you drive 20-25 and squeeze the manual. If the trailer locks up lower gain one until it does not lock. Then raise one.

That is the same process for the Ford setup.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by BigBobIa

On my RAM you drive 20-25 and squeeze the manual. If the trailer locks up lower gain one until it does not lock. Then raise one.

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

That is the same process for the Ford setup.

Yep, easy to set up.... One "critical point" that a lot of people (present company excepted) seem to overlook is that you really don't want the trailer brakes to "lock up"... If they do and you get into a "panic situation" on a gravel road or on a wet road, you just might find your trailer beside you or even passing you as it "skids on the wet pavement or rolls on the rocks" with no traction from "locked up tires"..... It's a case of "almost too much" is better than 'too much".....

[TheBigPig]

Just an update... Dealership looked at the truck, and said the trailer brake is set up and working as designed. I'll go through the setup as suggested by the Ford manual. It still doesn't make sense to me that my display is showing no output when I use the brakes, but I guess that's just how it works.