Does Anyone Else Do This?

wkpoor · Aug 4, 2008

I got an idea the other day about pulling the lanyard sw to set the brakes while loading the trailer. I do set my park brake on the truck but the trailer still rocks a good bit when loading heavy stuff. Plus that would help prevent a runaway trailer in a hill.

Diamondpilot · Aug 4, 2008

I have done this but make sure you put the lanyard on the trucks seat or gear shift so you do not forget to reinstall.

Chris

Willl · Aug 4, 2008

Somewhere, some time back, somebody told me not to do that.

Rara Avis · Aug 5, 2008

Willl said:
Somewhere, some time back, somebody told me not to do that.

Well, when then inspect your trailer...they pull the brake lanyard...

Bentwrench · Aug 7, 2008

It's a matter of personal opion. I , myself don't, I use choke blocks if I feel I need extra help. Leaving the brakes fully on in this manner is asking your electric magnets to put out 100% while loading. In my thought this is like having your brakes "locked-up" for this period of time. Again just my opion, I hate working on trailer brakes.

Willl · Aug 7, 2008

PaulChristenson said:
Well, when then inspect your trailer...they pull the brake lanyard...

Who's going to be checking my trailer ?

wkpoor · Aug 7, 2008

It's a matter of personal opion. I , myself don't, I use choke blocks if I feel I need extra help. Leaving the brakes fully on in this manner is asking your electric magnets to put out 100% while loading. In my thought this is like having your brakes "locked-up" for this period of time. Again just my opion, I hate working on trailer brakes.

Other than they are on 100% its no different than at a stop light unless you have a prodigy controller which I do not.

brandoro · Aug 7, 2008

I have been told that if you pull the lanyard with the trailer plugged into the truck that you can damage the brake controller. I have never tried to disprove this, not sure why it would. I have pulled the lanyard with the trailer not plugged into the truck just to make sure it works from time to time.
If you get stopped for any reason while pulling a trailer with brakes there is a good chance they will want you to prove that the break away works.

Bentwrench · Aug 7, 2008

I feel that when setting at a light your controller is holding at where you have it set for the load, 2 or 3.5 amps, or whatever. But when you have it unplugged full amperage is going to the magnets. And when being inspected it is only long enough to show that the brakes are working, again not drawing extended amps. If they want more than that I'll give them a "great debate".

john_bud · Aug 7, 2008

Had a neighbor when I was a kid that did just that. One time he forgot and left them on. About 3 AM the rig slid down the hill and sideswiped 3-4 cars before crossing a yard and smacking a garage.

I supposed it works if you can keep from forgetting...

jb

Rara Avis · Aug 8, 2008

Willl said:
Who's going to be checking my trailer ?

Doesn't your state require yearly inspections of your trailer?

Willl · Aug 8, 2008

PaulChristenson said:
Doesn't your state require yearly inspections of your trailer?

Nope, least not yet.

Egon · Aug 8, 2008

Disconnect the trailer electrical plug, and then pull the breakaway cable. This should set your brakes as long as the small battery lasts. With it on you probably will have a little difficulty driving away so it's sorts self reminding!

firedog · Aug 8, 2008

If you're trying to keep the trailer from rocking more than a few inches, then pulling the lanyard on the typical electric brakes probably won't help at all.
The design of the brakes is such that when power is applied, the magnet "latches" on to the spinning wheel drum and pulls the lever arm to force the shoes out against the drum. If the wheels aren't turning then the lever sits stationary and the brake shoes are never engaged.

Rara Avis · Aug 10, 2008

Willl said:
Nope, least not yet.

Lucky you...

When they finally do, then you get to watch the tech throw a jack under the one side of the trailer...spin the wheels and pull the pin and see if the wheel stops...Whoopee...

I feel safer after every yearly inspection...

Skyco · Aug 10, 2008

firedog said:
If you're trying to keep the trailer from rocking more than a few inches, then pulling the lanyard on the typical electric brakes probably won't help at all.
The design of the brakes is such that when power is applied, the magnet "latches" on to the spinning wheel drum and pulls the lever arm to force the shoes out against the drum. If the wheels aren't turning then the lever sits stationary and the brake shoes are never engaged.

Exactly!

wkpoor · Aug 10, 2008

You guys got me to thinking about the electric brake. I never exactly thought about it but there is no way the actuator could have enough force on it own. It would have to be a situation like the magnets allow the brake to exsert there own force mechanically. But I have tried it yet to see how much play there would be. I know even with the park set hard on the truck there is still some slop in the system as the whole rig will rock back and forth a little.

LoneCowboy · Aug 10, 2008

This is a bad idea.
Electric brakes (hydraulic brakes) fail off. I.e. no more battery power/juice means no more brakes.

Air brakes fail on. No more air means brakes are solidly on.

this method works fine with air brakes (and is in fact how big trucks do it)

But for electric brakes, bad idea.

If it really worries you, use chocks, cheap, work well, etc.