Brake Adjustment

[Cate&Rob]

A question for Grand Design . . .

There has been much discussion on this forum about the need to manually adjust the Lippert brakes used on Grand Design products. In my case, specifically the Reflection 303RLS.

In the Lippert manual provided in both hard copy and electronically by Grand Design, I find the following statement "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only. If manual adjusting is needed, the following 6-step procedure can be utilized . . . "

Please confirm whether or not the brakes on my coach are self adjusting.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Paul & Deb]

Nice pick up Rob. I guess I should read my manual too. I would like to ask about my 337RLS as well if you don't mind me jumping on here.

 

[GDRV Service]

A question for Grand Design . . .

There has been much discussion on this forum about the need to manually adjust the Lippert brakes used on Grand Design products. In my case, specifically the Reflection 303RLS.

In the Lippert manual provided in both hard copy and electronically by Grand Design, I find the following statement "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only. If manual adjusting is needed, the following 6-step procedure can be utilized . . . "

Please confirm whether or not the brakes on my coach are self adjusting.

Thanks

Rob

Hi Rob (@Cate&Rob),

Not self adjusting on Grand Design RV products.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[scott42blue]

I don't think any RV under the 300K price line has self adjusting brakes. I could be wrong as we don't shop that market.
Scott

 

[Cate&Rob]

I (obviously) have not yet disassembled a brake to look for the "promised" adjusters.
Does anybody else find it curious that the info from Lippert even goes so far as describing how to disengage the automatic adjuster if you choose to manually adjust your brakes ?

From the Lippert Owners Manual . . .
"NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster starwheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

Rob

 

[GDRV Service]

I (obviously) have not yet disassembled a brake to look for the "promised" adjusters.
Does anybody else find it curious that the info from Lippert even goes so far as describing how to disengage the automatic adjuster if you choose to manually adjust your brakes ?

From the Lippert Owners Manual . . .
"NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster starwheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

Rob

Hi Rob (@Cate&Rob),

Lippert sells to auto adjusters aftermarket.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Janice,

Thanks for the further clarification on this.
It might be an idea for Grand Design and Lippert to correct the owners manual info to clearly indicate that the brakes must be manually adjusted . . . or, include the adjusters as OEM and leave the literature as it is .

Rob

 

[Jim and Bonnie]

I was told by my dealer that they were Dexter self-adjusting brakes.

 

[TucsonJim]

As Janice stated, they are all Lippert manual adjusting brakes. They need to be manually adjusted every three months or 3,000 miles at a minimum. If you can't get your brake controller to "lock up" the wheels, you might need an adjustment sooner. Here's a video from Lippert on how to adjust the brakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih1pLKHELIs

I did replace my brakes with Lippert "Forward Adjusting Brakes". What a huge difference!

 

[campingfam4]

We recently purchased a 2015 323bhs and have a 2013 f-250 as a tow vehicle. We LOVE the trailer and have been very impressed with Grand Design. I have attempted to set the gain on the trailer brakes as directed in the Ford book by going 20-25 mph and engaging the brakes with the hand control until they lock up and then back them off. Even at the highest gain setting of 10.0, the trailer brakes will not lock up. I sent and email to Grand Design just to clarify I do not have an issue with my brakes. They sent me an email back the next day with a page from Lippert referring the the break in period and they need to be adjusted every 3,000 miles. I have towed the trailer maybe 30 miles since we purchased it last month. I am wondering if my brakes left the factory not adjusted, did they get overworked in transport from back east, or is this normal? I am wondering is this is an issue that would get resolved as a warranty issue or will it be not covered?

 

[Cate&Rob]

Hi campingfam4,

First step is to make sure the trailer brakes are working. Then you can fine tune them.
At "barely rolling" hand cycling the brake controller should immediately haul you to a dead stop.
This means that all the connections are made. Tuning comes next. If you didn't get that abrupt stop . . . you have bigger things to solve before tuning in the brake controller.

Rob

 

[campingfam4]

Cate&Rob, The brakes are engaging when I hit the hand control on the onboard brake controller. It will stop the trailer and the truck at slow speeds. I can feel them engage at 20-25 mph without hitting the trucks brakes. I am just concerned that I am not getting all the trailer braking power if I can not get the trailer brakes to lock up at a full gain setting of 10, and do not want to burn up my truck brakes? Thanks, Sean

 

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Sean,

Your trailer brakes will not engage until you touch your truck brakes. Anything you feel before that is entirely the truck decel capability . . . which is a good thing. You should be able to get a sense through your hitch as to whether the trailer is dragging or pushing when braking . . . which way does that feel ?

Rob

 

[campingfam4]

Hello, When I engage just the trailer brakes only via the hand control on the onboard brake controller you can feel the just the trailer brakes engage. I think it will bring the entire rig to a stop at 20-25 mph, but have not tried. I do not feel as if the trailer is pushing the truck during normal braking application, however I have not had to apply the brakes in an abrupt manner. My concern is that Ford states that to properly set the trailer brakes, the trailer brakes should "lock up" at 20-25 mph and then back the gain off to set them at the correct setting. Just curiuos if the brakes are already out of adjustment or is this normal? Thanks, Sean

 

[TucsonJim]

Currently on my F350, my 337 will "lock up" with the gain set to 6.5. I leave it set at 5.5, and it will stop very quickly when needed.

 

[gordofuchs]

I'm curious as to whether or not anybody still uses the old hydraulic/electric type brake controller ?

Gord Fuchs
Presently at Lake Tahoe, NV.

 

[dirtclod-MGRV]

Hello campingfam4, After years of pulling stock trailers with 50 year old technology, when I could not lock brakes up as you stated, I usually found brakes needed adjustment, or had weak or non functional magnets. Can you get trailer wheel (s) off ground one at a time and make sure that each one is at least functioning? If brakes are adjusted properly when you turn wheel with no brakes,tire should have some drag, with brake on tire should lock up. This would be a start. Good luck!

 

[GDRV Service]

I was told by my dealer that they were Dexter self-adjusting brakes.

Hi @Jim and Bonnie,

Your Reflection FW has Lippert brakes that are not self adjusting.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[Bamaman]

We recently purchased a 2015 323bhs and have a 2013 f-250 as a tow vehicle. We LOVE the trailer and have been very impressed with Grand Design. I have attempted to set the gain on the trailer brakes as directed in the Ford book by going 20-25 mph and engaging the brakes with the hand control until they lock up and then back them off. Even at the highest gain setting of 10.0, the trailer brakes will not lock up. I sent and email to Grand Design just to clarify I do not have an issue with my brakes. They sent me an email back the next day with a page from Lippert referring the the break in period and they need to be adjusted every 3,000 miles. I have towed the trailer maybe 30 miles since we purchased it last month. I am wondering if my brakes left the factory not adjusted, did they get overworked in transport from back east, or is this normal? I am wondering is this is an issue that would get resolved as a warranty issue or will it be not covered?

Hey, I had to come over The Smokies to my 323BHS's permanent home in the North GA mountains. I didn't feel that good coming down an 8% grade, but thankfully it was short. Although my trailer's new, an adjustment is needed. I'm just glad my F250 has a completely new set of brakes.

 

[Jim and Bonnie]

Thanks Janice!