Choosing Trailer Size for Integrated Trailer Brake

[PMJohns]

I’m interested in peoples thoughts on choosing the light or heavy setting for the trailer brake. The manual suggest light for under 10,000 and heavy for over 10,000. I tow an Airstream rated at 9700 (empty) with electric brakes. Currently, I am using the light setting with a gain of 8.5 - 9. Does anybody have experience with both light and heavy for a trailer weighing approximately 10,000.

 

[Brutal_HO]

My 12K GVWR 5th wheel will lock the brakes when manually activated 100% going 25MPH set on Heavy at 3.5-4.0 depending on load.

 

[JohnandDonna]

I did not know that Airstream made a trailer that heavy. The current 33' classic has an empty weigh of 8261 pounds and maxes out at 10,000 pounds. Just what model/year are you towing. I tow a 30' International. Max weight loaded is 8800 pounds. My gain is generally set at 4.5 to 5.0.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I honesty have not found much of a difference i had set my 10k camper on heavy it would lock the brakes up at 4 with little effort so i switched to light and jt was the same thing…. Even my dump trailer both light and heavy seem to be the same i have to keep it on 2.5 on either setting when empty and 3.5 when loaded

 

[jeffn]

my car hauler fully loaded is 10k, if I run it light (8-9k) I will still set to heavy electric and set the gain low. I think a variable is how much load you have on the axles and a car hauler puts the bulk of it right on the axles. If I run light electric I find the braking is just not enough even with the gain up 7+. It could also be that the brakes on that trailer are not best in class.

 

[PMJohns]

I did not know that Airstream made a trailer that heavy. The current 33' classic has an empty weigh of 8261 pounds and maxes out at 10,000 pounds. Just what model/year are you towing. I tow a 30' International. Max weight loaded is 8800 pounds. My gain is generally set at 4.5 to 5.0.

For towing purposes, I consider the empty weight to be the scale weight with empty tanks. I should of proof read my post, my empty weight should have read 8700 (big fingers with a small iPhone keyboard).. The “empty” weight in the specifications does not include batteries (100+ pounds), propane tanks, weight distribution hitch, etc.

Thanks for the info on your trailer / trailer break setting.