How to Choose Correct Brake Controller Setting for Proportional Controller

Published 03/25/2022

Question:

Hello, My wife bought me a Reese Brake Controller and I have installed it. Im trying to find the setup instructions for my truck and trailer. -Brake Controller Reese Towpower 8508211 Brake Control Proportional -2003 Ford F150 4x4 -2014 Jayco Jay Light Swift SLX 184BH Thank You

asked by: Lou A

Expert Reply:

Setting up a brake controller is a little more feel than "set everything to X and Y for the best control" but there are definitely some pointers about how to figure out the best settings for your towing application.

With the Reese Towpower 8508211/8508220, which is the Reese version of the Tekonsha BRAKE-EVN # TK63VR, installed and your trailer hitched up to your 2003 Ford F-150 you'll need to start by holding the manual override all the way to the left and setting the output or gain to about the halfway point at 5.0. Go to an empty parking lot and get up to 25 mph then fully apply the brakes by using the manual override. If the brakes lock up turn the gain down. If there wasn't enough braking then turn the gain up. Repeat as necessary until you like the amount of braking on your trailer.

There are also some boost settings to play with as well.

expert reply by: Jon G