Troubleshooting Brake Controller that Does Not Want to Lock Up Wheels as Power is Increased

Question:

I recently purchased a Pridigy P2 brake controller. The instructions said to set the controller at a power level of 6 and manually apply the brake controler at 25 mph. I have adjusted the controller up to 8.3 and still dont feel any strong trailer braking. As I have adjusted the contoller up I have increased the trailer braking but am not where the trailer brakes are locking up. Should I continue to increase the power setting until it reaches a near lockup point. An older pickup of mine had a P2 brake controller and reached lockup at about 6.2, so I was a little concerned at not reaching lockup at 8.3. thanks.....

asked by: John W

Expert Reply:

The 6 level is a great starting point for setting up the output level for the P2 # 90885. But in a case like yours you would need to keep increasing the output until right before lock up. If that means going past 8.3 then that is what you would need to do.

If you can't get them to lock up even with the controller all the way adjusted then it could be that your brake assemblies are in need of adjustment. To see how to manually adjust trailer brake assemblies check out the video I attached, fast-forward to the 4:35 mark of the video. While here test to make sure that 12 volts is making it to the assemblies when the output of the controller is turned all the way up.

I would also check the main ground for the trailer. This is the wire that runs from the trailer connector to the trailer frame and provides the ground for the entire trailer. The ground strap may have come loose and now may not be strong enough to fully apply the trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Jameson C