I got tired of getting out and unplugging the cord everytime I wanted to back up. I useda 50 A relay, and wired it into the power feed to the controller. Any thoughts? I can't be the only one that gets tired of the jerk, jerk, jerk backing into a site.

P.S. This should get rid of the poster reminder.

 

Your brakes are causing problems when backing?

I know that's a problem with surge brakes, but I haven't had any issues with electric brakes...

 

When I get the controller set where I want it going forward, the brakes will really grab in reverse. If I'm trying to back slowly, I have to release the brake pedal nearly completely, before the trailer brakes will release. This means backing is a herky jerky process. Does this mean it's only my breaks? The only other trailers I've pulled with breaks were those @#$#@$%^ surge breaks

 

Strange that they would be grabbier in reverse...

What kind of controller are you using?

 

Cheap a$$ TAP Brakeforcehttp://www.hopkinsmfg.com/37225.html. It's also done this with BIL's truck. Must be something in the brake set-up.

 

What's BIL using?

I've used a couple of timer based controllers, and they tended to provide way too much braking at low speeds. (I presume you are backing at low speed?)

I really hated the way they will continue to ramp up the trailer braking, even as you are letting up on the brake pedal, until you let up enough to shut off the brake light switch.

Anyway, the way the magnet and arm are set up on electric drums, they tend to work best while moving forward. I'm not sure what problem with the brakes themselves could result in jerky, grabby operation backwards, but not forward.

 

My time based controller did not do it - - my Prodigy did it in both fore and aft when going slow. But it sounds more like a controller problem.

 

I think Jeff nailed it. I never really noticed it, but when I'm stopped at a light, there's a bit of a jerk pulling forward. Not as bad ( annoying) as trying to back into site, but there. Other than my home-brew solution, what's the answer?

 

This problem is common & I had the same issue prior to buying a Brakesmart which does not have this issue.

Prior to my Brakesmart, I had a Tekonsha Voyager.
What I did was to mark the controls for normal travel. Then when I pulled into a campground & had to back up, I would back off the brake controls.

Then when we hooked up & hit the road again, I would turn the controls back to previous settings.
Usually after I hit the brakes which reminded me that the controls were turned down.

A relay with a switch would work but if you do a lot of towing, I would recommend a better brake controller.

...Joe

 

I guess I'll second that.

A few years back I didn't know much about brake controllers and bought what a local shop recommended (a timer based controller). It seemed like all the time the trailer was trying to jerk the truck to a stop, or the truck was trying to stop the trailer. It made the ride uncomfortable, and I wouldn't feel very comfortable doing a panic stop at freeway speeds with the controller set to where it wouldn't flat spot the tires around town...

After some research and seeing how other people's controllers behaved, I eventually bought a Brakesmart. I'm not wealthy and it was tough to part with that kind of change, but after using it my only regret was not buying one from the beginning.

The trailer provides braking exactly in proportion to how much pressure you are putting on the brake pedal, just like the truck's brakes. When towing it's like the trailer brakes work as seamlessly with the truck as your truck's front and back brakes work together when not towing.

It appears now that there is a controller on the market that works on the same principal as the Brakesmart, but without all the features I don't need and at a cheaper price (the Maxbrake).

If the fluid pressure sensor type are still out of the budget, a Technocia P3 or a prodegy would give you way better braking than a timer unit...

 

Prodigy for Christmas, anyone?

 

Timer based brakes should be illegal.

I love the Prodigy, good unit and well worth the investment. I don't tow enough to warrant a more advanced unit like the MAxbrake. I haven't had any issue backing up, but that may be due to having a standard vs and auto tranny.

 

I've experienced the same thing before I installed the maxbrake. Actually I bought 2, one for my dad and boy are they nice... Little expensive compared to electrics, but you're not tearing up the trailer tires and no more jerky stops and take offs..