I have the Red-Arc tow pro installed. I have never been really happy with the braking ability of the van when severe braking is required. It operates OK when normal gentle braking is used, but feel the tow vehicle is doing more than its fair share otherwise. I am operating in the automatic mode, and yes the unit is securely attached to a solid surface. It is installed as per instructions.
The caravan (3T) has dual axles, the brake units are Alko 12 inch off road, they are big so that are should be OK. I drive to minimize brake wear, so the brake shoes and pads on both ute and van are still OK.
The control knob of the "Tow pro" is set at about 75%, 50% being No.5, If I press the over ride button I don't get much of a reaction, so no help from that, but I am led to believe it gives only a proportional assist.
So am operating in auto mode, LED indictor is showing blue/red on braking.
Does anyone use the "user controlled" mode, i.e. LED is green, would this help.
I am thinking that perhaps there is a voltage drop in the wiring, how would I test that ?
I did the last service, all the magnets have even wear, no indication of one unit working over the top of the others. The situation is when I decide to brake, or keep going on a yellow light, once committed its heavy braking. Just been through Sydney and I think the GPS took us on routes by-passing tolls, plenty of traffic lights.
I think I'll contact Red Arc, read something about a software upgrade in later tow-pro models, that may have something to do with it.
Never towed with the unit set on manual, always auto.
Are there any light flashing sequences that indicate what the trouble may be?
The unit I had would sometimes need to be recalibrated, but it appears the newer units are auto calibrating
Oh dear, I think I found the problem, it was me!. I was turning the knob in the wrong direction. How could I do that you ask, well where I have mounted the controller, I can't read the numbers unless I have my reading glasses on. To counter this I put a diagram of the adjustment knob on the sun visor, this diagram is for the auto mode with the blue LED. The diagram showed an arrow in one direction saying heavy trailer, and in the other light trailer. I interpreted this as to mean "to make the trailer heavier" or "to make the trailer lighter". Having re read the instructions, checked the web for other info, it looks as though I was the problem. Must say I am happy with my ute tyres though, which I brought for braking ability, not km's.
It took a lot of courage to admit to that , will be on the road today and will see how the braking goes, however I didn't have the problem with normal driving, just heavy breaking. I will be altering my little placard quick smart. Thankyou all for your help.
At least you know more than me - I had the unit installed on our new car by the dealer & I've got nothing on it.
Are we expected to look up everything on the internet?
__________________
Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
It took a lot of courage to admit to that , will be on the road today and will see how the braking goes, however I didn't have the problem with normal driving, just heavy breaking. I will be altering my little placard quick smart. Thankyou all for your help.
Hi iana
Thanks for the follow-up on your solution even though it took a lot of courage to admit the cause. That will encourage others to be also be brave with problems.
I am sure the discussion was of interest to lots of vanners.
Not yet but I will. This is the proportional diagram that caused me grief. I interpreted it to mean a heavier trailer i.e. the trailer is pushing you. I have modified the manual braking diagram, so that the proportional braking diagram no reads :-
Not yet but I will. This is the proportional diagram that caused me grief. I interpreted it to mean a heavier trailer i.e. the trailer is pushing you. I have modified the manual braking diagram, so that the proportional braking diagram no reads :-
Lol
Great, Ill print that off. I only do a few trips a year so easy to forget.
HI brake drums and magnets in good condition Brakes on all 4 wheels --should be brake supply power wire Must go thru a LARGE pin on a 12 pin flat OR have its own connector by itself
Measure current and voltage at wheels . Check as quick as possible after brake application for each wheel . Controller will derate power if it thinks your stationary. Then measure at trailer plug both sides .
Of course U have power wire of 8mmsq ad all soldered joints . Neg wire same all soldered and run all the way back to car battery.
Remember some linnings can go hard if over heated =reduced performance
Wheel diameter and tread width effects brake performance greatly MY car trailer brakes lockup easy 650mm diam 185/75/13 My camper with 730mm brakes donnot lock ,,same controller car as above 235 /75/15
Although u have proportional brakes the Redarc does not have brake punch . This is where brakes at first initial engaugement start off at 10,20,30 % brake force . This allows for increasingly heavier trailers. The Teknoshia P3 ,Prodigy do .
-- Edited by swamp on Monday 20th of January 2020 01:11:59 PM
, will be on the road today and will see how the braking goes, however I didn't have the problem with normal driving, just heavy breaking. I will be altering my little placard quick smart. Thankyou all for your help. 
