Chevy Brake Controller

[Traveler II]

We have a 2008 Chevy that we ordered with the integrated brake controller. I was just wondering what others have their set at, ours is at 4.5 and it seem to work great. But talking the other day within someone they said I should have it set at 7-8.

[Jash]

I have the same system in my truck, the trailer dealer told me to start at 4 to 5 then adjust as needed. Your post is good, since I have only towed it home the answers will be good information.

[Kim & Derek]

We have ours set at 4.5 and it seems to work just fine.

[Mike Clay]

Mine is now at 4.5 also but I started at 2.5, im going to adjust the brakes on the trailer before we leave for the SW Rally and see what setting is needed then

[hillbilly]

I set mine at 7.0. Trailer brakes should hold with a slight tug when checking for proper hook up.

[Traveler II]

Looking at the signature boxes of those that responded it looks like the bigger rigs are using a higher setting. Those of us that are using 4.5 are all about the same size.

Someday I need to get our weighed so I know for sure what we are pulling.

[Kim & Derek]

Note that we are not actually pulling one of the smaller rigs. We're 40 ft and 12K dry. I only have about 3,000 miles on the trailer and while new at this, I test the controller settings each trip. I anticipate that I would set it higher as the pads wear down. But would appreciate any feedback from those who have several 10's of thousands of miles on really big trailers.

Thanks,
Derek

[Mike Clay]

I set mine at 7.0. Trailer brakes should hold with a slight tug when checking for proper hook up.

Wow 7 sounds a little high have you adjusted your trailer brakes? If I put mine on 7 it would put me through the windshield

[Traveler II]

But does the setting depend on how heavy your rig is? We have about 10,000 miles on our rig and I also have been thinking that I might need to increase the setting. When I test it at 4.5 they work great, but when I get back from this trip I'm going to have the brakes checked.

[Olbird]

The setting does depend on the trailer weight, most all of our 5th wheels have 12" brake shoes some of the 6000 lb.axles have 10" shoes.
The power setting will be less if the trailer weight is less than the truck weight, a little higher power setting if the trailer weighs approximately the same as the truck and if your trailer weight is over the trucks weight your setting will be the highest.

Above is based on having non- worn properly adjusted brakes and the same unified braking drag on the truck with three different size trailers attached under the same road conditions.

[robsamson]

I have a 2008 Crew Cab Silverado With a 32ft TT and my integrated brake control has been doing fine at 4.5 .

[Jash]

Mine seem to be best at 4, when I first started towing the trailer I had it a little less, but found that 4.5 was much better when stopping.

[yellowbird]

we're pulling a 2009 3100rk with a 2008 chevy 2500 silverado crewcab, 2 wheel drive. we've put about 4000 miles pulling the bird with the controller set at 4.5 with no problems at all. some of that was in mountains of north carolina and tennessee and the rig stopped smoothly and surely and i always felt in complete control. i had a 2005 ford f-250 with the integrated trailer brake control pulling my 2 previous cardinal fivers and in my opinion the chevy is much smoother. but that's just my opinion!