Airstream 2001 Bamby Owner's Manual page 45

AIRSTREAM SAFARI –BAMBI TRAILER OWNERS MANUAL 2001
HOW ELECTRIC BRAKES HELP
Electrically actuated brakes have several advantageous features over other brake actuation systems.
1. They can be electrically adjusted to provide the correct braking capability for varying road and load conditions.
2. They can be modulated to provide more or less braking force, thus easing the brake load on the towing vehicle.
3. They have relatively no lag time from the moment the tow vehicle s brakes are actuated until the trailer brakes are
actuated.
4. They provide a separate braking system to that of the tow vehicle, which can be of benefit in the event of tow
vehicle brake failure.
HOW TO USE YOUR ELECTRIC BRAKES PROPERLY
Your trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with your tow vehicle brakes. Never use your tow
vehicle or trailer brakes alone to stop the combined load.
Your trailer and tow vehicle will seldom have the right amperage flow to the brake magnets to give you
comfortable, safe braking unless you make proper brake system adjustments. Changing trailer load and driving
conditions as well as uneven alternator and battery output can mean unstable current flow to your brake magnets. It
is therefore imperative that you maintain and adjust your brakes as set forth in this manual, use a properly modulated
brake controller, and perform the synchronization procedure noted below
In addition to the synchronization adjustment detailed below, electric brake controllers provide a modulation
function that varies the current to the electric brakes with the pressure on the brake pedal. It is important that your
brake controller provide approximately 2 volts to the braking system when the brake pedal is first depressed and
gradually increase the voltage to 12 volts as brake pedal pressure is increased. If the controller "jumps" immediately
to a high voltage output, even during a gradual stop, then the electric brakes will always be fully energized mid will
result in harsh brakes and potential brake lockup.
Proper synchronization of tow vehicle to trailer braking can only be accomplished by road testing. Brake "lockup,
grabbiness, or harshness" is quite often lack of synchronization between the tow vehicle and the trailer being towed,
too high of a threshold voltage (over 2 volts), or under adjusted brakes.
There are two synchronization adjustments available
1. System Resistor - regulates the maximum braking power of the trailer brakes.
2. Brake Controller - controls the tow vehicle brake line pressure at which the controller will begin to pass current
to the trailer brakes.
Before any synchronization adjustments are made, your trailer brakes should be burnished-in by making 10-12 full
stops from approximately 20 mph. This allows the brake shoes and magnets to slightly "wear-in" to the drum
surfaces.
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