We really love our Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller, however, are still having some trouble fine tuning it. On Memorial weekend with full load on our 7000 lb Fifth Wheel with 1150 pin weight, we set it to 8.2 with Boost level 3. The trailer on sudden/hard stops made grinding noise on stops. When we lowered to 8.0 we could hear the trailer tires "sliding" to a stop. I would like anyone towing a fifth wheel to post their weights and what their P3 setting are to see if we are even in the "ballpark" with our settings. Thanks!
Did you set it up per the manual?
See pages 5 and 6 of the manual in the attached pdf...
Drive 25 mph, apply only the trailer brakes with the lever on the P3 (no truck brakes at all), you want them to lock up, then back off the power, just a little at a time, until they "just" don't lock up.
I looked like an idiot in my neighborhood doing this, but it's the only way to get the brakes properly set up.
"Adjusting the Power to the Trailer
Brakes (Prior to setting Boost)
Once the control has been securely mounted, it is
necessary to set the power needed to stop the trailer
during a braking event.
1. Connect trailer to tow vehicle.
2. With engine running set power (with Power
Buttons) to indicate 6.0
3. Drive tow vehicle and trailer on a dry level paved
surface at 25 mph and fully apply Manual Knob.
✓ If trailer brakes lock up: Turn power down using Power Buttons.
✓ If braking was not sufficient: Turn power up using Power Buttons.
4. Repeat Step (3) until power has been set to a point
just below wheel lock up or at a sufficient force as
to achieve maximum braking power.
5. Using the brake pedal, make a few low speed
stops to check the power setting. Trailer braking is
initiated and terminated via the stoplight switch.
When the brake pedal is released, trailer braking
will cease."
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I ended up way over 10 with my setup,
and that's telling me I need a brake
adjustment on my trailer. I could never really
get the brakes to lock up on the trailer...
they would slow to a stop, but just not
quite lock up.
after my brakes get adjusted, i'll reset my
controller and go from there.
I ended up way over 10 with my setup,
and that's telling me I need a brake
adjustment on my trailer. I could never really
get the brakes to lock up on the trailer...
they would slow to a stop, but just not
quite lock up.
after my brakes get adjusted, i'll reset my
controller and go from there.
(2005 tundra BC pulling 27' travel trailer)
Good tip. Maybe that's our problem. the trailer is pretty new and may need an adjustment. the problem is that we're not sure what is meant by "locking up". Is it the loud screetching sound, or hard stop with loud sound? It gets pretty confusing for a novice. We do think though that when the trailer tires make a loud "sliding sound" that there's not enough brakes being applied on the trailer. That's why I thought that if I could get all of you to post your settings with your trailer weights, it would give me some kind of idea where we are at. Thanks for your input and settings!
Our 5er is 6250 dry w/ 1250 pin. Keep in mind that mostly loaded it weighed in at 7500 so going off of percentages it added 20% to the dry weight. So if you add 20% to the pin, it puts the pin at 1500.
I've mentioned this to you in another post, but i set mine at B-2 & 7.0 on the controller and it's just perfect for us. I would imagine yours should be just fine where it's new, but don't know for sure.
I have tried it on B-3 and it's too much brake force for a 7500 lb trailer. Even with our 9k lb horse trailer it's too much.
Do the 25 mph tune that it tells you to do, and you should be fine.
Please post your P3 Controller settings...
Linear Mode
