TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL UNIT

Maintaining vehicle and trailer control in varying environmental conditions and trailering situations is important. The 2016 TITAN XD can be equipped (depending on specific model and available options) with a Trailer Brake Control Unit (TBCU) – an adjustable factory-installed unit on the instrument panel that is used to apply the trailer brakes.

NOTE: When towing a trailer, always follow the towing information in the vehicle Owner’s Manual and information supplied by the trailer manufacturer.

Factory-installed Trailer Brake Control Unit (TBCU)

A Trailer Brake Control Unit (TBCU) is available on the 2016 TITAN XD. This electronic controller is a self-contained display and control unit conveniently located to the right of the steering column on the center of the instrument panel below the HVAC controls. It provides trailer electric brake signals to control the trailer brakes via the rear trailer wiring. The system is compatible with electric-actuated and electric-over-hydraulic trailer brakes with up to four axles. This system assists the vehicle with effective and smooth braking while towing a trailer and is always ON once the ignition is ON.

The TBCU can operate in one of two modes, Automatic mode or Manual mode.

AUTOMATIC MODE

This is the normal operation of the TBCU depending on the gain and boost settings adjusted by the customer. This mode will activate when vehicle brake pedal is pressed.

Gain control

Gain control is used to increase or decrease the braking force supplied to the trailer brakes.

To adjust the gain:

  • Press Gain + or Gain – to the desired point (0-10).
  • For example: Gain setting 6.0 is a typical starting point for heavy loads.

Boost Control

Boost control adjusts the feel of the automatic brake event that occurs when the vehicle brake pedal is applied. The boost ranges are b., b.1., b.2., and b.3. A boost setting of b. is OFF (no boost), and a boost setting of b.3. is the maximum boost available.

To set the boost:

• Press the boost button once to display the current boost setting.

• Press the boost button again to increase the boost level, or continue to press the boost button to return boost to b. (OFF).

The following chart from the 2016 Titan Owner’s Manual shows the suggested boost levels for different trailer sizes relative to the vehicle size.

MANUAL MODE

To operate the TBCU manually, and apply brake pressure to the trailer brakes without pushing the vehicle’s brake pedal, pinch the manual control levers together. The amount of pinch pressure applied to the levers will correlate to the amount of brake pressure applied. There is no lock for the pinch levers, so once finger pressure is released, the trailer brakes will also release.

Was this article helpful? We value your opinion! Email us at TechTalk@nissan-usa.com.