Electric brake testing on old trailer

[sailorman]

I inherited a small 1973 Tag-A-Long travel trailer. It appears as though it was rigged for electric brakes. There are two wires ( cut ) coming out of each of the well drums( total of 4 wires ). How might I test to see if the brakes still function before buying needed vehicle controller and wiring system ? Could I just use a 12 volt battery on the 2 wires ( + and - ) to see if brakes engage ? I havent 't yet pulled drums to see what braking system might be there. I 'll be towing with a ford ranger XLT pickup so I 'd like to restore brake function if possible. I 'm also gonna add a weight distribution sway control hitch system if that matters.

 

[dnetherland]

I just had to check brakes on a dump trailer. If you use a 12 v battery you should be able to hear a hum when the brakes engage. To check function (ie make sure the brakes are holding) you would need to jack up that side and see if the brakes keep you from spinning.

DN

 

[dnetherland]

I just had to check brakes on a dump trailer. If you use a 12 v battery you should be able to hear a hum when the brakes engage. To check function (ie make sure the brakes are holding) you would need to jack up that side and see if the brakes keep you from spinning.

DN

 

[Craig Clayton]

What I have heard from others is they remove the electric brakes and replace them with hydraulic backer plates.

Craig Clayton

 

[sailorman]

I just had to check brakes on a dump trailer. If you use a 12 v battery you should be able to hear a hum when the brakes engage. To check function (ie make sure the brakes are holding) you would need to jack up that side and see if the brakes keep you from spinning.

DN

Thanks. I was hopin' some one would say that :thumbsup:

 

[sailorman]

What I have heard from others is they remove the electric brakes and replace them with hydraulic backer plates.

Craig Clayton

I 'm not familiar with that term. Did a google, but all I found were prices. No explanation of what they were or how they worked. Can you tell me more ? I 'm a little skeptical that something can be adapted to a 1973 brake rig or that I have the skill to do it. Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As others said 12V to the wires will engage the brakes if they work. Does not matter which wire is positive or negative. My guess is everything is rusted all up and will have to be cleaned and worked free.


Chris

 

[sailorman]

As others said 12V to the wires will engage the brakes if they work. Does not matter which wire is positive or negative. My guess is everything is rusted all up and will have to be cleaned and worked free.


Chris

Diamond, I 'm thinkin' the same thing about the rust. Just haven 't gotten around to pullin' drums for a look see. Camper has had multiple owners over the years and at some point some one just cut the wires. I think he may have used the trailer as a primitive sleeper at a huntin' camp and wasn 't gonna move it and didn 't have a vehicle compatible with brake system.

I 've completely gutted it and am slowly rebuilding interior in a spartan way just for basic creature comforts for back woods campin'. But would like to have as much road functionality as possible. Brakes are good to have. Never know when I'm gonna have to stop quick with a light tow vehicle.

 

[Diamondpilot]

They did not know what they were doing then. No reason to cut the wires to make the brakes not work. If you do not have a controller it will not work.

Chris

 

[sailorman]

Diamond, I agree on the not knowing what they were doining. At some point the running lights system was rewired and done very badly. I think they just cut any wires they didn 't like and only did the running, tail, and brake lights. I re-wired the lights before I realize brakes were present with a flat plug. If I find they work, I will then spend money on controller and all else needed.