Delaine and Lindy
Linden Tn. (The View)
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New 2008 Chevy and new 2009 5th wheel. Setting on the IBC is 5.5, as you said check you trailer brake adjustment. I think you will like the new IBC. I have had 4 Prodigy's and I believe the IBC is the best controler I have used. It must be a Prodigy design. GBY.....
2008 Chevy Silverado LTZ 3500, DRW
2008 Chevy Equinox LTZ
2009 Mobile Suites 36TK 3
B&W Hitch
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tomman58
Southfield Michigan
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Delaine and Lindy
I'm missing your point. I also had podigy in the last TV but what has that to do with this IBC?
I'm just saying 5.5 is what I'm starting with, my trailer still needs a few hundred more miles to break in the brakes and then I'll do the final tweeking, right?
2008 Silverado D/A,CC 4x4 ,3.73,IBC LTZ+
2008 322FKS Jayco
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Camping Dutchman
NJ
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Maybe I have mine to low, but we are at 2.5 on the Chevy settings. Seems to brake fine.
2008 Chevy 3500 cc DRW Duramax
2009 Cedar Creek Silverback
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AirSupport
Phoenix, Arizona
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I might be too high. The guy that installed my hitch set the Chevy controller at 8.5!!!
Although, when I brake, the trailer doesn't "lock up" or "skid." It's very smooth and seems to work perfectly.
I saw an RV show that suggested one gets up to about 20-25mph and applies the trailer brake manually (without using the tv's breaks). You apply the trailer break while gradually increasing the resistance. Once the breaks "lock up" and start to skid, you set your break controller just under that setting.
Example: You're at 20-25mph. You apply the trailer break with your hand. As you apply more resistance, the break setting increases. Suppose you get up to a 7 and the trailer breaks lock up. Now you know that a 7 locks them up, so you'd set your controller to a 6.5 or even a 6.
I just never re-checked to see what my hitch installer guy set my controller to. I'll double check the tt tomorrow after I pick it up again.
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adVentureMan
Memphis, TN, USA
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AirSupport wrote:......I saw an RV show that suggested one gets up to about 20-25mph and applies the trailer brake manually (without using the tv's breaks). You apply the trailer break while gradually increasing the resistance. Once the breaks "lock up" and start to skid, you set your break controller just under that setting..........
That sounds like a good place to start.
Doug and Kathy
2008 Chevy 2500HD extended cab Duramax/Allison 4WD
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Delaine and Lindy
Linden Tn. (The View)
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tomman58, I was just saying I think the IBC in the GM Trucks may have been made or designed by Tenkonsha who makes the Prodigy. I think the IBC works better than the Prodigy. Just my opinion, because I pull three different Trailers. A Haulmark inclosed 30' and a Gooseneck 30' equipment trailer and the 5th wheel. And never have had to change the setting of 5.5. GBY...
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tomman58
Southfield Michigan
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The one thing that I will reinterate is that after you get 500 miles or so on your trailer you do need to adjust the breaks as they are drum brakes. Then readjust the controller.
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luvlabs
Frederick, MD
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adVentureman,
Just want to clear something up for you - when I as adjusting the controller initially, I set so the trailer would stop the whole rig from 25 mph. Obviously, I would not expect this to happen in normal driving conditions. This is akin to Prodigy instructions which tell you to set the controller to lock the brakes at 25 mph - which is never going to happen with a lot of heavy 5th wheels, and then back the adjustment down.
The point of all of this is that you need to adjust the controller so that you have a controlled system where the trailer is contributing to the braking force and not leading the truck, or the truck is not suppling all of the braking.
Best way to do this is take it out on a road or really large parking lot and experiment a bit.
Carriage Cameo 33CKQ | 08 GMC 3500HD CC LB Duramax Dually | Sam the Cat and the Labs | Best wife going
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adVentureMan
Memphis, TN, USA
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luvlabs wrote:adVentureman,
..........
The point of all of this is that you need to adjust the controller so that you have a controlled system where the trailer is contributing to the braking force and not leading the truck, or the truck is not suppling all of the braking.
Best way to do this is take it out on a road or really large parking lot and experiment a bit.
Roger that, sir. Makes sense. I misunderstood what you wrote the first time. I'm looking forward to towing for the first time later this week. But it will be hard to tow slowly during the recommended break in period! Heck, I tow slow enough as it is!
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adVentureMan
Memphis, TN, USA
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For FYI, I started using 6.0 with my new truck but now I'm using 7.0. That feels like the most natural to me so far. Man, that built in controller is TOPS!
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