Cause for Self-Adjusting Brakes and Primus IQ Proportional Controller to Brake Less Than Old One

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Question:

Maybe it is just me. A new controller and a new feel. Driving a 2006 Ford Explorer towing a 3200 pound travel trailer. On my old vehicle I had a hitch and controller installed by uhaul. When I would adjust the controller it would lock the brakes and then I would release to a comfortable stopping postion. But without fail I would always feet the brakes. With my new to me tow vehicle and the Tekonsha controller, the brakes never lock. They dont even come close. I purchased the controller and Ford connector from e-Trailer. To make myself feel better I replaced all cable splices under the trailer just in case of corrosion. I also checked continuity on everything. I cleaned the round connector thoroughly and then put a high conducting silicone on it to prevent corrosion. I followed Michaels way of setting the controller. Start vehicle. Depress brake and set controller to six. Accelerate to 20-25 and make adjustment using the wheel until comfortable. All I ever feel is a slow down. But nothing near locking even when cranked to the highest numer. So after my long explanation, is it me or am I missing something? Maybe my last controller was not proportional. Maybe the proportional controller is supposed to give the feel of trailer and tow vehicle being one. I just want to make sure as I am about to make a couple thousand mile journey and dont want any issues. One final point. I replaced my brakes early in the year with Dexter self adjusting brakes from eTrailer. Many thanks. I sincerely appreciate the great videos and quality service

asked by: David H

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Expert Reply:

First, thank you for your many prior purchases from etrailer.

I reviewed the items you ordered and note you did not replace your hub/drums. If the existing hubs are badly worn they may not allow the new brakes to grab as much as they could. The hub will be cast with a maximum hub bore diameter after which it is considered worn out. If the drums were recently resurfaced they may now be too large. Also, never-adjust brakes DO require some initial manual adjustment. The self-adjusting feature can take some time and miles to fully adapt braking pressure to the hub surface.

If you are used to a time-delayed type brake controller that always sends out the exact same trailer brake power level then a proportional controller like the Primus IQ # TK90160 will certainly feel different. You are absolutely correct that a proportional controller is designed NOT to give the sudden sensation of hard braking force that is more typical of a time-delayed unit, but rather to make the trailer and tow vehicle brake as one to reduce wear on the vehicles brakes and trailers brakes.

Last, since you bought bearing grease you might want to make sure that no excess grease has found its way into the braking surface of the hub or pads.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Cause for Self-Adjusting Brakes and Primus IQ Proportional Controller to Brake Less Than Old One

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