Re: [VAL] '63 Overlander New Axle with Disc Brakes

[Rick Kunath <k9ao@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Note that the BrakeSmart (Hensley) electric brake controller compensates for 
this electric brake fade. If I recall correctly, it is the ony aftermarket 
electric brake controller that does that.

There is a big difference between how a proportional controller like the 
BrakeSmart and the Ford factory controller, and an accelerometer based 
controller like the Prodigy controls braking. 

A proportional controller sees changes in braking as changes occur to the 
hydraulic brake system pressure on the tow vehicle, and responds accordingly. 
It knows when you come on harder and ease off on the brake pedal, because the 
hydraulic pressure changes. It does depend on proper brake controller 
adjustment however, though this does not change much once set correctly.

An accelerometer based controller senses changes in the deceleration of the 
tow vehicle and attempts to correlate this to appropriate trailer braking. 
Since it is reactive, anything it does is after the fact. It can't see you 
ease off on the brakes or come on a bit harder, it has to wait until the tow 
vehicle/trailer combination has a change in the deceleration rate and make 
some adjustment then.

As long as you have good traction, you're all set. On poor traction conditions 
this can be a problem. Brakes don't apply and release in unison. There is 
always some disparity in braking phasing between the tow vehicle and the 
trailer, but proportional controllers are much better in this aspect.

Whatever type of brake controller you have, be sure to completely understand 
how it works and it's limitations. 

And know where the manual trailer brake application control is.

Rick Kunath
WBCCI #3060