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

Published 08/21/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6682)

$163.51

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

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