Should Trailer Brakes Alone Be Able to Stop 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup and 6500-lb Travel Trailer

Question

Question:

I have 2015 KZ Spree 26foot TT. It weighs in at about 6500 lbs loaded. I pull it with a 2004 RAM 1500 crew cab. I recently completed a 6,000 trip out west. When trying to stop the rig using the trailer brakes only, I notice they will provide some drag but will not reasonably stop the rig without the truck brakes being added. I have the electric control adjusted fairly aggressively. Applying full current manually, doesnt seem to provide any additional braking. Is this normal? The brakes are supposed to be self adjusting. Should I be able to stop the rig with trailer brakes only? I can with truck brakes only. Your attention is appreciated.

asked by: Ray L

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Expert Reply:

The electric brakes on your trailer are not intended to stop your entire rig - both your 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup and your hitched 6500-lb travel trailer - just the trailer itself. Your truck's hydraulic brakes have far more stopping power than the trailer's, which are generally going to be rated only for the trailer's axle weight capacity, not that plus your truck's considerable weight.

In normal driving conditions you will apply the truck's brakes and adjust the brake controller so that it slows the trailer at a reasonably similar rate and with a similar force, to minimize the "tail wagging the dog" sensation.

Some controllers like the Prodigy series # 90885 and # 90195 are proportional types that sense the truck's braking action and generate a proportionate trailer braking level. There are also time-delay type controllers that apply a pre-set amount of braking force with a pre-set time delay no matter how hard you step on the truck's brake.

The manual override on any brake controller will generate the amount of braking force that you have selected with its controls. The manual override function is not the same as the boost and level settings that can be chosen on the controller; it simply sends out the chosen braking power you have already set.

Self-adjusting brakes do still require some initial adjustment when installed; and they can take some time to dial themselves in. Certainly after a 6000-mile trip your brakes should have settled in.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

Ford trucks like yours that came from the factory with a brake controller will display an error code on the instrument cluster if an aftermarket controller, such as a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 #90885 and its harness #3034-P, are installed. To have the TBC…

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Answer 2

Hey William, it looks like you're asking about the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller #90195. This is a proportional brake controller, so basically how it works is the brake controller will activate the trailer brakes with the same…

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Answer 3

Most likely your problem is corrosion on the brake output circuit of the 7-way. I would inspect the 7-way on both your trailer and 2007 Ford F250 and clean the pins as necessary. I also attached an FAQ article on troubleshooting brake controller…

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Answer 4

If you sever the blue wire leaving the P3 controller part #90195 leaving enough room to reconnect it and test the end of the wire leaving the controller with a circuit tester like part #PTW2993 you should see voltage when you slide the manual…

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Answer 5

From past experiences with your trailer we do know a bit about what hubs are typically going to fit but I would recommend you verify first by checking your trailer. We have found that your trailer has inner bearing L68149, ID 1.378, race OD 20362,…

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Answer 6

The reason that 10 Gauge #10-1-1 or 12 Gauge #12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part #AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries…

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Answer 7

The ALKO 4,400 lb axles use the same bearing sizes as the standard 3,500 lb alxes. If you want USA made bearings, I recommend the Bearing Kit #TMK52VR. This kit comes with the Timken brand bearings which are all made here in the USA.

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Answer 8

Yes, the Timken Bearing Kit #TMK52VR will fit your 3,500 lb axle as it fits an standard #84 spindle. The only time this kit won't fit with a 3,500 lb axle is if the trailer/axle is made before the 2000's since that's about the time that…

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Answer 9

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 10

The Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Brake Controller #90885 will come with a universal plug-in pigtail wiring harness that will be hardwired to your brake controller wiring harness under the dash on your 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. The white wire on the brake…

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Answer 11

If a 205/75D14 like the Loadstar #AM1ST86 was the only thing you had to get you off the side of the road it would work for a vert short distance, but you would not want to use it long. The reason for this is it will be just under 1" shorter than…

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Answer 12

Hey Shane, so the Timken bearing kits are made in the USA so what would be perfect for you would be the part #TMK52VR is a USA made 3,500 lb axle trailer bearing kit. Have you had bearing problems in past?

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Should Trailer Brakes Alone Be Able to Stop 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup and 6500-lb Travel Trailer

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