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Old 02-26-2019, 11:45 AM   #1
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Backing up the Trailer

In a recent RV magazine article, a reader notes that people have trouble backing up their trailer because they "leave the trailer brakes operative while attempting to back the trailer. Many people keep their foot on the brake pedal, which energizes the brakes and make it difficult to control the trailer movement." In a response, another reader comments "If a driver can back without that lightweight but steady foot on the brake, it works fine, but disconnecting the trailer [brakes] also works."

I know many people (like us) have trouble backing up so I'm wondering if any 'back-up' experts out there might comment on this. Are they just referring to avoiding using your brakes while backing up or do people really disengage their trailer brakes?
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Old 02-26-2019, 11:48 AM   #2
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I'm no expert by any measure but perhaps change the gain (I don't know the correct word) on the brake controller to provide a lighter touch.
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Old 02-26-2019, 11:51 AM   #3
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I normally do not have my foot on the brake and gas when backing up, unless it is downhill and I'm not camping on any downhill spot.
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Old 02-26-2019, 11:53 AM   #4
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i don't put my foot on the brake when backing
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Old 02-26-2019, 12:25 PM   #5
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Thanks to all. I knew I'd get some rational explanations here.
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Old 02-26-2019, 03:29 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CADreamin View Post
In a recent RV magazine article, a reader notes that people have trouble backing up their trailer because they "leave the trailer brakes operative while attempting to back the trailer. Many people keep their foot on the brake pedal, which energizes the brakes and make it difficult to control the trailer movement."
A proper trailer brake controller only applies braking force in proportion to deceleration (how rapidly you are slowing down) - that's why they're called "proportional" - so it doesn't affect backing up any more than going forward. If your controller has a "boost" feature (such as in Tekonsha models such as the Prodigy, that needs to be turned off to avoid a pulse of braking every time you touch the pedal. I don't use boost at low speeds, and have never even considered unplugging the trailer (or the controller) to back up.

If you have a "timed" brake controller, it just applies braking power every time you touch the pedal, and ramps it up to higher power for as long as the pedal is applied (regardless of how hard you are braking). The solution in this case is to unplug... unplug the controller, take it to an electronics recycling facility, and replace it with a proportional controller.
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