Recommended Setting for P3 Brake Controller and 16K 5th Wheel Trailer Towed by 2016 Ram 3500

Question:

My tow vehicle is a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW. I am going to tow a Cardinal 38.5 ft. 5th wheel that is going to weigh between 13,500 and 16,000 lbs. Can you advise me on a good preset to start with on my controller.

asked by: Bruce B

Expert Reply:

In general you should start out with a brake controller like the P3 # 90195 set to 6 (which is right in the middle of its power output settings) and no boost. Then you do a little test in an empty parking lot. Tow the trailer at about 20 miles per hour and fully apply the manual override on the brake controller but do not touch the truck brake pedals.

If the brakes lock up adjust the power down. If they do not lock up adjust the power up. You want them at a power level just under wheel lock up.

The boost will start the braking at a higher output but still only goes up to what you have the controller set to. In general 5th wheel trailers benefit most from boost level 3 but it depends on the individual.

expert reply by: Michael H