Re: Kelsey-Hayes Brake Controller instructions?

[John Hofstetter <hofs@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Monday, June 30, 2003, at 01:51  PM, Joel M Brodsky wrote:

> Does anyone have an instruction book for a Kelsey-Hayes Brake
> controller
> with the knob adjustment specifics?  The knob/lever to activate the
> brakes
> on my controller is a screw in/out adjustment, and I'm still at a loss
> as
> to how to fine tune the force.  It seems that I skid the trailer tires
> when
> the trailer is empty, regardless of where the knob is set.
I dont have an instruction book, and being a Mac computer man, I
wouldnt have taken the shrink wrap off of it if I did. <g>

You can look to me as your living, breathing KH instruction manual.

I can tell you this about the KH controller. The maximum resistance
that the controller can provide often (maybe as often as usually) isnt
enough for a trailer without a load.  You need a separate variable
resistor.  The unit looks like a big spring shaped into a U with a
sliding clamp that is movable up and down the U.  You add enough
resistance so that the control unit stops the empty trailer with almost
all of the control units resistance being used. This allows you a lot
of latitude in reducing the resistance when you put a load on the
trailer. After putting the extra resistance in the tow vehicle for
years, I ended up fastening the resistor to the trailer tongue. I
changed tow vehicles much oftener than I changed trailers at that stage
of our lives.

Needing that external resistor is a KH thing. Maybe other manual
controllers at the time also, but I always bought the KH units. Top
quality unit.

John Hofstetter