2021 F350 Brake Controller Setting for 2018 Solitude 310GK

[Jdjaguar]

Initial setup asks for Low, Medium, or High (default is Low)

I set it at Medium as the Solitude is fairly heavy compared to other rigs.

Next, I set the GAIN setting to 5.5.

Is that too low?

I am leaving tomorrow to go camping.

Any input would be appreciated as the Dealer is unresponsive. (ie won't call me back lol)

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

Initial setup asks for Low, Medium, or High (default is Low)

I set it at Medium as the Solitude is fairly heavy compared to other rigs.

Next, I set the GAIN setting to 5.5.

Is that too low?

I am leaving tomorrow to go camping.

Any input would be appreciated as the Dealer is unresponsive. (ie won't call me back lol)

I'm assuming you have drum brakes. When adjusting the brake controller, you are supposed to set it at something like 1/3 of the max, then roll on a level surface at 15 MPH, and pinch the brake controller. It should stop you. Then roll at 30 MPH and pinch the controller. You will probably need to adjust it up a few notches. Keep doing this until the brakes lock, then adjust it down 1 full point. So, if it's at 7.0 when the brakes lock, set it to 6.0. You will also want to adjust it, up or down as you drive down the road and stop. Essentially, you want the trailer to stop the truck, but not lock the brakes up unless you mash on the brake pedal.

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[orbsah]

Initial setup asks for Low, Medium, or High (default is Low)

Hmmm - I don't remember a H/M/L option. Maybe I missed it or is that something new on the newer Superduty's?

My gain feels about right at 4.5 although I think you need to evaluate your particular situation.

 

[Jdjaguar]

Thanks for the replies!

I have factory brakes which I believe are drum brakes on the 2018 Solitude. (that's the type of brake I selected on the F350)

And yes the Ford 2021's have a low, medium, high setting you select before you set the gain.

Although this is SRW, maybe the DRW doesn't have it.

Default setting was low.

 

[Jdjaguar]

gonna keep it at 5.5 with medium setting and see how she rolls.

only one very high bridge to be concerned about, rest flatland.

not happy dealer never called me back...found the VIP tags they put around our necks
when we first bought it and gonna wear em next time I have to go in!

 

[Txfivver]

Hmmm - I don't remember a H/M/L option. Maybe I missed it or is that something new on the newer Superduty's?

My gain feels about right at 4.5 although I think you need to evaluate your particular situation.

Yes the 2017 and newer, SRW or DRW, all have it. It's in the trailer setup menu but you may have to have the trailer connected and named to see it.

 

[triplethreat]

I have a 2016 F350 Dually and I have the low, medium, and high settings. My understanding is that is maybe the first year of low, medium, and high. My previous truck, a 2011 F250 Diesel did NOT have the low, medium, and high settings.

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

Yes the 2017 and newer, SRW or DRW, all have it. It's in the trailer setup menu but you may have to have the trailer connected and named to see it.

Yup, my 2019 F350 SRW has it. I was able to check it without being hooked up to the camper. Mine is set to medium, I have hydrologic over electric disc brakes on it now. I noticed that they grab more than the drums did, so I've lowered the setting to low and will do my brake checking over again.

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[LV Naturist]

When fine tuning your brake controller settings, it's actually best practice to have the entire rig stop as one cohesive mass. What I mean by that is the trailer should stop the trailer, and the truck should stop the truck. If you feel like the trailer is pushing the truck when stopping, you need to increase the gain. If you feel like the trailer is stopping the truck, ease up on the gain a bit. You want balanced braking. With too little gain, the truck might not stop the trailer in time. Conversely, if the trailer is stopping the truck (not completely, I understand...) you stand the chance of overheating the trailer brakes. This would not be a good thing when going down long grades as you could end up with trailer brake fade. Now the truck is stopping the trailer. The trailer brakes are really only adequate enough to stop the trailer, not pull back the truck.

John