Brake adjustment on 2022 Imagine

[caswelld]

My RAM brake controller gives very little braking even with the gain adjusted to maximum. I hoped I had self adjusting brakes, but it doesn't look like it from the sticker on the axle.

So, do I need to do a manual brake adjustment?

Thanks for the info.

Dave

 

[Rich T]

My RAM brake controller gives very little braking even with the gain adjusted to maximum. I hoped I had self adjusting brakes, but it doesn't look like it from the sticker on the axle.

So, do I need to do a manual brake adjustment?

Thanks for the info.

Dave

You have a much newer camper than I do but most of these units need manual brake adjustment. Check your owners manual. I am going from memory (probably not a good idea) but I believe it is every 3,000 miles? There are some very experienced and mechanically inclined folks on this site, stay tuned you will get lots of good help.
Good luck
Rich

 

[caswelld]

Thanks Rich. I did read on the Lippert website that the brakes need adjusting every 3000 miles.

Looks like GD chose to go back to the 1950s with the Lippert axles.

 

[Rich T]

Dave
I hear you, does seem antiquated. The only good thing about it is that it's not to hard to do.
Rich

 

[Ynot4me2]

Agreed on being out dated. Be sure to burn them in properly also.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

[sande005]

That's sad news! My 2017 2670MK just missed the change over GD did back then to including Lippert self adjusting brakes. Then they later went to Dexter axles. Looks like they are again back to what I got. I got fed up with crawling under to adjust the star wheel on the road (we mostly do long trips). Lippert sells "forward self adjusting" brakes, which I replaced mine with. Now I only have to check the pad wear when I do the bearings. Cost isn't much for them, and are an easy replacement if you have the means to jack it up and take off the tires.

 

[jleonard]

My RAM brake controller gives very little braking even with the gain adjusted to maximum. I hoped I had self adjusting brakes, but it doesn't look like it from the sticker on the axle.

So, do I need to do a manual brake adjustment?

Thanks for the info.

Dave

I have the same issue on the 2600RB we just took possession of 2 weeks ago.
I need to do the adjustment.
My 2021 was perfect from the factory though.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Could be another availability issue, adjustable is better than not getting the trailer at all because the self adjusters aren't in stock

Also be sure to check the brake wiring for a loose or disconnected wire

 

[Precab]

Picked up a brand-new imagine and the trailer breaks barely work it all on Max gain. 2670mk 2022

I’ll see if I can talk to the service department to take a look…..they are not passing the 20 mile an hour test in a flat parking lot when full brake and gain is applied….they don’t even stop at all. Feels like they’re working about 20% strength

 

[sande005]

Picked up a brand-new imagine and the trailer breaks barely work it all on Max gain. 2670mk 2022

I’ll see if I can talk to the service department to take a look…..they are not passing the 20 mile an hour test in a flat parking lot when full brake and gain is applied….they don’t even stop at all. Feels like they’re working about 20% strength

A few possibilities:
1. The pads aren't burnished in yet. Mine took many stops before they grabbed better.
2. If yours does have self adjusting, they adjust in small steps - so again it may take several 100 miles (ie several dozen stops) before they are fully functional.
3. Some vehicles with factory controllers try to be "smart" - they moderate the braking force according to speed to prevent lockups. So even done manually at "10", especially at lower speeds, the trailer will never lock up.
And can be a combination of the above, so the service guy repeatedly insists "everything is set correctly". Been there...

Or, of course, there could be something wrong - greased brakes, bad wire to one or more brakes, etc. Had all those at one time or another, too.

 

[FlyStar]

A data point for you. When I took delivery of our TT the brakes were very weak. I cranked up the gain with little effect. I jacked up the trailer, pulled the breakaway switch pin out and verified they were all working. They were.

On day three or four of our first outing, which was mostly highway traveling, they were much much better. About 1000 miles of interstate driving. Dialed the gain back a bit.

They are the self adjusting variety. After the first year and about 12,000 miles I pulled the hubs to do a bearing repack. The brake pads looked great, some wear but still many miles left to go.

 

[tfgd21bhe]

I had brake issues on my 2020 21bhe as well. Even after many miles of towing brakes did not work well. Finally discovered the factory never connected the wiring for the rear brakes. Brakes worked much better then but not quite as well as I would have thought.

A year later one of the undersized 3000 lb axles GD used bent (never overloaded or curbed) and the undersized axle was no longer being made by Dexter. I replaced both axles with the heavier 3500 lb with disc brakes. What an amazing difference. I would never own a trailer with electric drum brakes again.

 

[goducks14]

A few possibilities:
1. The pads aren't burnished in yet. Mine took many stops before they grabbed better.
2. If yours does have self adjusting, they adjust in small steps - so again it may take several 100 miles (ie several dozen stops) before they are fully functional.
3. Some vehicles with factory controllers try to be "smart" - they moderate the braking force according to speed to prevent lockups. So even done manually at "10", especially at lower speeds, the trailer will never lock up.
And can be a combination of the above, so the service guy repeatedly insists "everything is set correctly". Been there...

Or, of course, there could be something wrong - greased brakes, bad wire to one or more brakes, etc. Had all those at one time or another, too.

So true. I had an SOB TT and 1st towed it with an F150. The TBC was fantastic in the F150. I could do the brake skid test easily. Moved up to a 2012 Ram 2500 CTD and it wouldn't let me do the lock up test. Truck was brand new and I knew the TT brakes were fine from towing it with the F150. Took it to the dealer to check the TBC and they replaced it. Still wouldn't do the lock up test. Even with my newer 2019 Ram 3500 CTD I still can't do a lock up test on my current TT. I know the brakes are good as I can hear the linings rub on the drums when spinning the tires after bearing repacks.
Some trucks are programmed differently.