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Old 08-28-2016, 08:53 AM   #1
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Have You Successfully Improved Your Brakes?

I know this has been beat to death all over the internet, but I would like to hear from people who have a similar fiver as I who have been successful in improving braking.

In 2014 I purchased a new 30 foot fifth wheel Jayco Superlite. The drive home was 2 hours. As soon as I got home I phoned the dealer and told him there was a problem with the brakes. Brought it back next day, they drove it, said "that's the way it is", they took all the wheels off said everything looks fine. Called Jayco, they said if the dealer looked at them they are fine. Dexter's response was wishy washy and 'expectations are different'.

Still not happy 3 years later. I can can feel the trailer brakes applying but the deceleration is poor and similar to day 1, this is with maximum output from brake controller. Controller tested on another trailer and works fine. As a measuring stick, I can drive at 20 mph with controller at maximum setting apply only trailer brakes at maximum and the combination rolls on for more than 100 feet. My previous fiver a 28 foot Pilgrim could lock up the tires at maximum setting on pavement in a similar test.

Each magnet has been checked for resistance, current flow and voltage drop and are as required. All connections have been soldered.

There are numerous claims on the net of people vastly improving brakes by doing various things such as rewiring with larger wires, larger shoes, etc.

The unit weighs 10,300lbs ready to camp, sits on two 5200 lbs axles.

Does anyone on this forum have a similar Superlite that has brakes which had a significant impact on stopping as delivered from the factory. Has anyone on this forum been able to significantly improve braking on their 30 foot Superlite .

Thanks
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Old 08-28-2016, 09:27 AM   #2
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RV brakes are poor.. so on my tow vehicle I installed drilled and slotted rotors and more aggressive pads. One of these days I will convert the trailer brakes over to Hydraulic/electric disk brakes
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Old 08-29-2016, 11:12 AM   #3
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yep I jacked up each wheel and adjusted them
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Old 08-29-2016, 11:39 AM   #4
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On my last trailer, when I replaced the axle, I found the brake wiring was shorted the frame since new.


Between a working electrical system and 50% wider brake shoes, that trailer handled it's own mass very nicely after that!
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Old 08-29-2016, 12:38 PM   #5
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This is the second Jayco I've had with Dexter axles. This is the second Jayco with Dexter axles that needed to have the brakes adjusted several times before they actually worked right.
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Old 08-29-2016, 01:56 PM   #6
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I thought these were supposed to have "self-adjusting" brakes? I haven't looked at mine that close yet, but I feel like mine are "under-performing" as well.

However, I can stop the entire rig from 20 mph to 0 in what I perceive to be a relatively short distance.
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Old 08-29-2016, 02:38 PM   #7
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1. I would make sure they are adjusted properly. They have auto adjusters but that doesn't mean they are working properly.
2. When you say your controller is at full power. Do you mean the gain is 100% or your manually applying to 100% or both? Just wondering because some electric controllers need to be set up for level also. This adjustment will determine how hard it brakes when the tv slows down.
3. Just because the controller works on another trailer doesn't mean it's not the issue. Currently your trailer is maxed out weight wise for the axles. It won't work as well as say a 10k car trailer with a 5k car on it.

I have a 2013 31.5 FBHS that weighs 9k and I can slide all 4 tire by manually sliding the controller. I have the same axles as you.
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Old 08-29-2016, 05:07 PM   #8
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Thanks for the interest and replies, much appreciated.

The brakes are self adjusting, and have also been manually adjusted several times, but seems to make little difference.

I have a Prodigy controller with boost and it can be installed from level to an angle of 70 degrees. It is currently set at about 25 degrees.

Rider438, when i say full power I do mean maximum setting (10) and the lever pushed to maximum. Unless I can discover an issue I guess my next move will be a new controller.

Incidentally I had a different RV shop check the brakes about two month ago and 'all was fine' which makes this really frustrating.

cheers and thanks
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Old 08-30-2016, 06:53 AM   #9
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auto adjusters only work when your backing up... so maybe find an empty parking lot are try backing up some with the brakes being pumped...
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Old 09-04-2016, 07:17 AM   #10
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I have hydraulic brakes. Fully loaded it will stop the truck and trailer. They work great.
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Old 09-04-2016, 12:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45 View Post
auto adjusters only work when your backing up... so maybe find an empty parking lot are try backing up some with the brakes being pumped...
Not true, Seann, though it was back in the old days with my '65 Ford.

From the Dexter website electric brake manual:

Quote:
Self Adjusting Feature
(Not available on all sizes)
Dexter electric brakes may be equipped with a forward self-adjust
feature. This will allow the brakes to adjust on both forward and
reverse stops. Brake adjustment occurs when lining wear results in
enough gap between the shoes and the brake drum surface. This
added clearance will allow the adjuster mechanism to rotate the
screw assembly at the bottom of the brake. That action expands
the distance between the shoes and thus closes the gap to the
drum surface.
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