trailer towing

[Akkeith]

I have an 04 GMC 2500HD 3/4 ton. If I am towing a trailer with about 8000# total weight and I am going down a long 6% grade can I put the automatic transmission in 2nd gear to save on braking or will this damage the tranny? Thanks for any answers.

[junior3382]

First off, if you are hauling that much weight, the trailer should have brakes of its own. That will save yours. Second, the tranny would probably survive, but I would be more concerned with the other drive components. The u-joints, bearings and what not. These will feel the most of the stress. That truck, if setup from factory to haul, should have a brake controller for a trailer, so you may want to consider that. Especially if this is going to me a regular occuring thing. Is the trailer single or dual axle? what is the load?

[Akkeith]

I do have the trailer brakes set up with the factory controller but no matter how I adjust the controller I can smell brakes burning. It is a dual axle 12k trailer with breaks. Should I use the knob on the controller to slow momentum without using truck brakes? Thanks

[leolkfrm]

adjust the controller correctly, use tow haul mode if you have it, drop it out of overdrive, and use stab braking for downhill

[Lariat]

AK, if you have a factory electric brake setup for your trailer, you need to have a brake controller inside the truck, perhaps mounted underneath the dash. My trailer brake controller has an adjustable slide tab that allows you to control how much the trailer brakes kick-in while you are braking with your truck. it works simultaneously (don't ask me to spell that again). This variable controller will help to not burn up the trailer brakes.

Set the controller while there is little or no traffic going down the road. You should feel the trailer grabbing as you adjust. Going down a slope, again as you begin to descend, check it out and see what feels best for you. Then in the future you will the slope coming and you will know the proximity of where to set it.

[junior3382]

I agree with Lariat oon that one too. Though the truck should have one from the factory, I just would be worried about downshifting down a hill and then seeing you lose a u-joint or cnap a bearing and casue more then needed damage. If the trailer has brakes, and you can get the right adjustment between them wnd your truck brakes, that would be the safiest way to slow down in my opinion.

[Akkeith]

Thanks for the info. I have done exactly what you are suggesting with the controller but still smell brakes when I come to a stop after a long down hill. I will keep messing with it and stay out of lower gears. Thanks again.

[leolkfrm]

Did you read my post about stab braking? and do you know what it is? If your desired speed is 55 slow to 50 at the top of the hill, when your speed increases to about 56-57 hit the brake hard enough to slow to 50 and do the same to the bottom of the hill. Towing is different then regular driving. Brake heating is usually due to 2 things improperly adjusted brakes and driving habits!

[Lariat]

You have got to go out there trial and error until you feel it works best for you. Stabbing at the brakes is not slamming the brakes nor is it riding the brakes. Most inexperienced trailer drivers will ride or guide the brakes and then your burning. You sure its the brakes you smell and not your bearings? When was the last time you checked them, pulled them, and repacked them? Good luck.

[leolkfrm]

Stab braking is a method of braking, firm pressure for a short period of time, TRIAL AND ERROR, is how people get hurt, or toys get broke.
If you have time read the braking section of a CDL course book, it should shed some light on the subject.
As for brake adjustment, do you have 4 wheel disc on it? If not make sure the auto slack adjusters are working on the rear.
Confirm that all the trailer brakes are working and adjusted properly, again based on type.
Then adjust the controller so no brakes lock up in a fairly hard stop
The only learning curve will be the adjustment of the controller for the amount of weight on the trailer. So check it empty, then with your average weight on it. This will give you an idea how to use the controller adjustment.