Question about gain and light electric vs heavy electric

[Loudram]

Recently I picked up a new trailer. On my last one I had the brake controller set for light electric +9 gain. On this trailer I think that might not be enough so I switched to heavy electric.

The question I have is does the gain start up at heavy electric +1 or is the some overlap. For example LE +9 & 10 are similar to HE +1 & 2. I haven't had any chances to take it out and test it. I'll be leaving tomorrow for our next trip. I'm sure I'll figure it out as I drive but it's going to be tricky because it may be raining when we leave or at least wet roads.

 

[GTyankee]

Find a large parking area & test a couple of stops
YouTube shows some good examples

 

[Loudram]

That's what I would like to do. It's going to rain today so the roads will be slick. I'll probably start out with HE +2 and go from there.

 

[BossHogg]

Recently I picked up a new trailer. On my last one I had the brake controller set for light electric +9 gain. On this trailer I think that might not be enough so I switched to heavy electric.

The question I have is does the gain start up at heavy electric +1 or is the some overlap. For example LE +9 & 10 are similar to HE +1 & 2.

I have never seen a discussion of the differences or behaviors of the light versus heavy electric brake setting. The owner's manual says heavy electric is for trailers over 10,000 pounds. It is not progressive, going from a light electric setting of 9 to a heavy electric setting of 1.

Way back in 2015, when I was working through trailer braking issues on my new 2015, I had the trailer brake line scoped. I did notice that when set to heavy electric, the initial pulse width to the brakes had more on time (the trailer brake line is pulse width modulated). I assumed it was designed to help the brake magnets move larger brake assemblies.

I continue to look for an explanation but have not found one yet. Everything I see talks around the actual differences between light and heavy. When towing my RV, a 16,000-pound fifth-wheel, I find the light electric with a gain of 6 works perfectly.

 

[Loudram]

Thank you. I've only towed this new trailer once so far and it was local. Today I'll be on the interstate for the first time. Your explanation helps. I'll give light electric another shot and see what it does in a parking lot.

 

[ramffml]

This guy has a nice run down on it all, start at 12:12 or so:

You Need To BURNISH Trailer Brakes, THEN Set Brake Controller Gain and Effort

In this episode, I'm breaking in our brakes, pun intended. I take you through the process of burnishing the trailer brakes in order to seat the shoe to the d...

youtu.be

 

[BossHogg]

This guy has a nice run down on it all, start at 12:12 or so:

You Need To BURNISH Trailer Brakes, THEN Set Brake Controller Gain and Effort

In this episode, I'm breaking in our brakes, pun intended. I take you through the process of burnishing the trailer brakes in order to seat the shoe to the d...

youtu.be

Oh, yeah. This is often overlooked, and trailer dealers don't mention it. Bedding the trailer brakes on a new trailer is very important.

 

[chri5k]

The heavy setting gets to the max gain setting quicker than the light setting. It does not make a 9 light into a heavy 2. If you can't lock the brakes with the manual control on dry pavement with the controller set to 10, you need have the brakes checked.

Also, if this a tandem axle trailer, make sure it has brakes on both axles. Some manufacturers only put brakes on one axle. If brakes are only on one axle, they other axle can usually accept adding the brake components.

 

[David Oakes]

Light electric is generally for trailers under 10000 lbs and heavy electric is for 10000 lbs and up.

On level ground, whichever one you need, light or heavy, set it to 1 and with the vehicle in drive see if the brake controller will hold the trailer. (It probably won't at 1). Increase the setting to 2 and try again. Repeat until you find a setting where the trailer brakes hold it.

If you trailer is small enough that it was transported to the dealer on a flat bed, the brakes may or may not have been "burned in" by the dealer, that depends on the dealer policies. If you trailer is big enough that it was towed to the dealer by an rv transporter, odds are pretty good that the brakes "burned in" on the way to the dealer with the transporters use of braking.

 

[Loudram]

I ended up setting it to light electric +6. That worked well. I may dial it in further on our next trip but it'll stay around this range. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[JayLeonard]

I ended up setting it to light electric +6. That worked well. I may dial it in further on our next trip but it'll stay around this range. Thanks for all the advice.

Did you try any settings on heavy?
Just wonder as i am on 9 on light with my 2500.

 

[Loudram]

Did you try any settings on heavy?
Just wonder as i am on 9 on light with my 2500.

No I didn't try heavy. On +9 light it was already jerking my truck when I braked lightly.