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Old 04-25-2018, 10:40 AM   #1
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"Grabby" brakes

I am pulling a 2011 17B with a 2015 Ford Explorer (5000 lb tow capacity). I bought a Tekonsha 90885 Prodigy P2 controller and during my last trip it felt like the brakes were grabbing or surging, especially at low speed. They never locked up - just didn't feel right. When I first installed the controller I pulled the trailer 250 miles to home with no problem. Then went on one short trip up the coast with no problem. Trailer stored indoors all winter.

I haven't pulled the wheels or done any other investigating....

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
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Old 04-25-2018, 10:42 AM   #2
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Have you tried adjusting the gain control a bit lower?
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Old 04-25-2018, 10:47 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherm2954 View Post
I am pulling a 2011 17B with a 2015 Ford Explorer (5000 lb tow capacity). I bought a Tekonsha 90885 Prodigy P2 controller and during my last trip it felt like the brakes were grabbing or surging, especially at low speed. They never locked up - just didn't feel right. When I first installed the controller I pulled the trailer 250 miles to home with no problem. Then went on one short trip up the coast with no problem. Trailer stored indoors all winter.

I haven't pulled the wheels or done any other investigating....

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
Have the brakes been adjusted ? When the pads wear the distance between the pad and the the drum increases which counter to what you would think would happen can result in grabby or surging brakes.

Edit.
Also if this is the first you have used it this season the rust inside the brake drums offers a lot more friction.
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Old 04-25-2018, 10:52 AM   #4
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Turn off "Boost" on the P2 if it accidentally got turned on. ( see your P2 instructions ).
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Old 04-25-2018, 11:48 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
Turn off "Boost" on the P2 if it accidentally got turned on. ( see your P2 instructions ).
I'll check that! Thanks for the suggestion.
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Old 04-25-2018, 11:49 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by wetzk View Post
Have the brakes been adjusted ? When the pads wear the distance between the pad and the the drum increases which counter to what you would think would happen can result in grabby or surging brakes.

Edit.
Also if this is the first you have used it this season the rust inside the brake drums offers a lot more friction.
Brakes were adjusted, inspected when I had the wheel bearings inspected and serviced before storing the trailer, so I think they're good to go.
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Old 04-25-2018, 11:50 AM   #7
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Have you tried adjusting the gain control a bit lower?
Yes. That was my first move - I have to check but I may have accidentally turned on "boost". When I get home I'll take a look. Thank you for the suggestion.
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:09 PM   #8
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May or may not be helpful, but this is a good primer on Dexter light-duty electric brakes. Has a troubleshooting section near the end. Good reading for anyone who wants to know a little more about what is helping stop the thousands of pounds behind them.

www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-electric-brakes.pdf?sfvrsn=2
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Old 04-25-2018, 01:28 PM   #9
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May or may not be helpful, but this is a good primer on Dexter light-duty electric brakes. Has a troubleshooting section near the end. Good reading for anyone who wants to know a little more about what is helping stop the thousands of pounds behind them.

www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-electric-brakes.pdf?sfvrsn=2

excellent info. thank you!
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Old 04-25-2018, 02:41 PM   #10
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I can imagine how brakes “grab”
Can someone please describe how brakes “surge” and what that feels like.

Please and thanks
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Old 04-25-2018, 02:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
May or may not be helpful, but this is a good primer on Dexter light-duty electric brakes. Has a troubleshooting section near the end. Good reading for anyone who wants to know a little more about what is helping stop the thousands of pounds behind them.

www.dexteraxle.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/light-duty-electric-brakes.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Dave I know you are the man to ask . Can I buy the Dexter nev-brake -adjust for our 2013 19 . They are 2500 lb axles and the size is 10 . I know they have for 3500 lb axles that are 10 . What difference would it make to use the ones for 3500 lb ? As long as they are 10 dia. Pat
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Old 04-25-2018, 03:26 PM   #12
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Can I buy the Dexter nev-brake -adjust for our 2013 19 . They are 2500 lb axles and the size is 10 . I know they have for 3500 lb axles that are 10 . What difference would it make to use the ones for 3500 lb ? As long as they are 10 dia. Pat
The 2500 pound rating just means that the rubber in the suspension has been trimmed to better suit a lighter load; the hubs, brakes, and bearings are all the same as any other #10 Torflex. So yes, Nev-R-Adjust brakes for Torflex #10 (3500 lb) would be correct for your 2500 lb Torflex axles.
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Old 04-25-2018, 04:05 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
The 2500 pound rating just means that the rubber in the suspension has been trimmed to better suit a lighter load; the hubs, brakes, and bearings are all the same as any other #10 Torflex. So yes, Nev-R-Adjust brakes for Torflex #10 (3500 lb) would be correct for your 2500 lb Torflex axles.
Thankyou need to upgrade to the Nev-R-Adjust. It is getting very hard for me now . So glad Thankyou , Thankyou ! Pat
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Old 04-25-2018, 08:21 PM   #14
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Turn off "Boost" on the P2 if it accidentally got turned on. ( see your P2 instructions ).
You are the winner! I owe you a double Glenlivet!!
I hooked up and checked the controller and like a fool, I had turned on boost. Hopefully that won't happen again.

I really appreciate all of the input and help!
Thank you all.
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Old 04-25-2018, 08:32 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
The 2500 pound rating just means that the rubber in the suspension has been trimmed to better suit a lighter load; the hubs, brakes, and bearings are all the same as any other #10 Torflex. So yes, Nev-R-Adjust brakes for Torflex #10 (3500 lb) would be correct for your 2500 lb Torflex axles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda View Post
Thankyou need to upgrade to the Nev-R-Adjust. It is getting very hard for me now . So glad Thankyou , Thankyou ! Pat
Pat: These are the assemblies I bought. They ideally should still get an initial manual adjustment and then they should self-adjust.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Bra...3-468-469.html
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Old 04-25-2018, 09:07 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Sherm2954 View Post
You are the winner! I owe you a double Glenlivet!!
I hooked up and checked the controller and like a fool, I had turned on boost. Hopefully that won't happen again.

I really appreciate all of the input and help!
Thank you all.
Thanks.
I have no idea how I turned on boost either. I left the trailer plugged into the tow vehicle for several days at camp and had to jump the vehicle to start it. I can only guess that that may have discombobulated the P2, because I noticed the issue when leaving camp.
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