cpeters
Tennessee
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Hello.. I have searched the forums.. and didn't get quite the answer I am looking for. Thanks for any assistance.
I have a Prodigy P3 brake controller. Used it when I had a small JAYCO TT. Didn't tow anything last summer.. now I have bought a newer camper and getting ready to put the P3 back in my truck.
I have read, and am familiar with.. the installation and setting process. I have never been really sure what the term "lock up" means when setting the controller. The instructions say initial set the controller at "6". Run 25mph.. use the manual slide to brake. If the trailer brakes "lock up".. adjust. Ideal setting is just before "lock up."
My question.. what do they mean by "lock up"? A screeching, squealing smoking brake lock up.. or what? How do you tell when the brakes "lock up" .. by PRODIGY's definition of "lock up."
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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To me "lock up" means the trailer wheels are dragging and chattering instead of rolling.
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Quote:To me "lock up" means the trailer wheels are dragging and chattering instead of rolling.
X2, remember that some trailers will not totally lock up on pavement. Just make sure the brakes are working on the trailer and you should definately feel them being applied.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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The trailer wheels stop turning and slide.
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Skiding the trailer tires...
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halibutman214
Oregon
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Whatever it means do NOT lock the tires up. It doesn't take a whole lot to end up with a flat spot on some tires. A setting of "6"? You would think they know what they're talking about but I guarantee you if I go beyond about 4 my tires will lock up every time I hit the brake. I normally run it around 3.5. I have NEVER used the manual slide to set anything but I suppose there's a method to do it if it's in the instructions.
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bfast54
Traverse City ,Mi.
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The Prodigy I set up in my rig...said To find a Dirt, or Gravel spot, and do the "Lock-Up" test on a dirt/gravel surface.
Then, adjust to just before lock-up. If you lock-up any tires on Pavement, concrete....you not only risk flatspotting, but also loss of control.(On gravel/dirt, the surface will give, pavement your tires give ...tread.)
You are doing this test/setting in a "Low speed " fashion, in a area away from people, other vehicles . (I Hope)
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whisperide
Golden Spike area
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I set my Tekonsha to lock the trailer tires, until I get the adjustment rght. Of course, I'm in the parking lot of the church I attend. The tires might drag a foot, but that's not going to be a flat-spot. Dragging them 50 feet, yes. 24 inches, no. And every time you change the adjustment and repeat the test, you'll be dragging a different part of the tread, not making the first flat-spot bigger. I noticed 7 different scuffs around the trailer tires after setting my current controller with it's first trailer, but none of those 7 scuffs on each tire could be called a flat-spot.
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halibutman214
Oregon
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whisperide wrote:I set my Tekonsha to lock the trailer tires, until I get the adjustment rght. Of course, I'm in the parking lot of the church I attend. The tires might drag a foot, but that's not going to be a flat-spot. Dragging them 50 feet, yes. 24 inches, no. And every time you change the adjustment and repeat the test, you'll be dragging a different part of the tread, not making the first flat-spot bigger. I noticed 7 different scuffs around the trailer tires after setting my current controller with it's first trailer, but none of those 7 scuffs on each tire could be called a flat-spot. Lets see now... a vehicle traveling at the 25 mph mentioned goes 36 ft per second if my calcs are correct. So if you elect to use this "lockup method" and that means sliding the tires, you better be lightning fast on the slide to only go a foot. The point of my previous post was the brake controller can be easily adjusted without sliding the tires so why would one want to do it. That black stuff you see on the pavement is rubber that just came off the tires whether it's 6" long or 60'.
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john b
anywhere USA!
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I have owned a Prodigy since the days right after it cam on the market.I have towed a half dozen different units with it and never have I needed to do any of the above descriptions or even attempt to slide the tires.
I always set the lowest setting that I can to begin to feel the brakes applying. I then slowly add some gain and test them until I know the trailer brakes are definitely doing their job of assisting the tow unit with stopping,all done.
When running the interstate I do set the boost on 1 or 2 depending on road surface wet or dry. I have needed to make quick unplanned stops and just normal stops & the unit has performed flawlessly all these years and miriad of towables.
Also my tow unit with 65 thousand miles has about 60 percent brakes left so it sure isn't doing all the stopping for both units. JMHO jb
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