Ok, i was thinking about this today, and between the tow rig and trailer, how much does the tow rig stop the combo, and how much do the trailer breaks stop it? 50/50? 60/40? 40/60? or what?

thanks.

Garrett

I'm not an expert at trailer brakes, but my setup (as do most) has an adjustment so you can fine-tune how much brake is applied to the trailer. When I ran it unloaded, I had to turn it way down to keep from smoking the tires everytime I pressed the brake. I loaded one Jeep and adjusted for that load. Then the second Jeep on the other side of town and adjusted once more.

Hope this helps...

Ray

8,000lb trailer when loaded.

I run them nearly off unloaded (only 3,000lb trailer, 6,000lb truck)

Loaded I run them hot, they probably do 70% of my braking. Saves my 1/2 ton brakes a little that way. :)

set your controller so that you can just feel the trailer pull on the truck when you hit the brake. How fast they come on is the other adjustment...


When you start out, hold the manual slide lever over, let off the brake in gear, and adjust the output on the controller so that the trailer brakes alone stop the truck and trailer. That will get you really close.

the reason why i am asking, is because everyone keeps telling me that i wont be able to stop while towing in my 1/2 ton, but if the trailer is stoping the load, then doesent that mean that the downside of towing with my 1/2 ton is that i will be going REAL slow up hill? That and the short wheel base, because my 1/2 ton weighs in at 5500 lbs, which is more than some 3/4 ton trucks.

In a perfect world, the brakes on your trailer will do the stopping for the trailer and load, and the brakes on the truck will stop the truck. 50/50. Most people adjust that ratio to either side just to satisfy their likes and needs. It's real simple, If your half ton is working the truck brakes too hard, reach down and turn up the controller.:D

My Dodge 1/2 ton did a good job this weekend on my trip to the Rubicon. I think my trailer and rig weigh about 4500-5000 lbs. Just be careful on long downhill runs. Coming home on the last stretch of Ice House road is brutal on the brakes. Good luck. Bryan

My 1/2 ton does fine stopping. better loaded than not.

14,000lbs total, with 12,000lbs worth of trailer brakes. Between running those hot and my trucks brakes I can stop on a dime.

Accelerating up a hill and holding speed is another story. 31.5" tires, 3.92 gears is not low enough. I need 4.20 gears or a diesel tow rig.

It does it.. but depending on the grade, ti doesn't like it.

OK, makes me feel better. My biggest consern is safety, not up hill speed, and i would rather keep my 1/2 ton and go slow up hill, than buy a bigger truck. Oh, and it would be a 10k rater trailer, with a 8k load.

Garrett

You're going to tow 10k lb with a 1/2 ton? (2k trailer + 8k load) I'd be concerned about a lot of things, ie hitch, frame, brakes, over heating, tranny, etc. When I towed roughly 7k with my 3/4 ton I felt I was 'pushing' it. What's the truck rated for?

Bryan

the truck is rated for 7800 lbs.. i ment 10k rated trailer, with 8k combined weight of rig and trailer. Yes it is pushing it.. will it hurt the truck? I dont know. like i said, safety is my main concern, and i really cant sell this truck for a bigger one, so i am stuck.

Garrett