Trailer brakes to reduce rocking ?

[GMSIMS]

Any reason that I wouldn't be able to (or shouldn't) use the brakes on my TT to reduce rocking back and forth while parked at the campsite? I was thinking that I could pull the break away cable out of the TT as a temporary fix this weekend while I wait for my X-chocks to arrive.

Thanks
Greg

[f6bits]

1) It sucks power. Not *that* big of a deal if you're plugged in
2) It keeps the electromagnet activated. If it's anything like a solenoid, it heats up when constantly powered. I'd avoid leaving it active for long periods of time.

[SteveC7010]

Any reason that I wouldn't be able to (or shouldn't) use the brakes on my TT to reduce rocking back and forth while parked at the campsite? I was thinking that I could pull the break away cable out of the TT as a temporary fix this weekend while I wait for my X-chocks to arrive.

Thanks
Greg

Only if you want to destroy the battery the first time out. Your battery will run down in an hour or less, and the constant heavy current draw might kill the convertor as well. Constant depletion of the battery will ruin it real quick. This is not a solution.

Grab four short pieces of 4x4 lumber. Site the trailer. Place a block behind the rear wheels. Drive the trailer back a couple of inches so that the tires are just starting to climb up the block. Hit the brakes with TV and have someone place a block in front of the front wheels of the trailer. Put the truck in Neutral and release the brakes. The trailer should settle nicely with the four blocks firmly wedged under the tires to the point that you can not pull them out by hand. If not, repeat the procedure.

[GMSIMS]

Thanks for the input. I'll just use the wood to avoid any issues.

Happy Easter

-Greg-

[GaryWT]

That is an interesting method. I have always just used the small yellow chocks on the wheels but generally just set them there.

[davidcyndi]

Invest in some x chocks.

[apr67]

Trailer brakes require movement before they work, unless they have changed in the last few years.

The electromagnet gets pulled by the rotation of the drum when it activates.

[f6bits]

Really? I thought the trailer was dead in the water if you pulled the pin. I thought this was how people tested the breakaway system.

Trailer brakes require movement before they work, unless they have changed in the last few years.

The electromagnet gets pulled by the rotation of the drum when it activates.

[SteveC7010]

That is an interesting method. I have always just used the small yellow chocks on the wheels but generally just set them there.

If you don't get a bit of weight from the trailer onto the chock, it's not going to have any effect on the rocking.

[GaryWT]

If you don't get a bit of weight from the trailer onto the chock, it's not going to have any effect on the rocking.


I understand that but the rocking never really bothered me so I never worried too much about it but maybe we will. I have looked online at X chocks for wide wheel base, they seem to run about $100.

[apr67]

Really? I thought the trailer was dead in the water if you pulled the pin. I thought this was how people tested the breakaway system.

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4885424_do-electric-trailer-brakes-work_.html

[SteveC7010]

I understand that but the rocking never really bothered me so I never worried too much about it but maybe we will. I have looked online at X chocks for wide wheel base, they seem to run about $100.

These chocks were made right in my own shop. They are just a few pieces of 4x4 pressure treat cut to size and shape. The hardware is 1/2" threaded rod with matching nuts and flat washers. I fancied mine up a bit with a 1/2" eyebolt and coupler, but that is icing on the cake. They could be built out of 4x6 or even 6x6 and can be sized for any axle spacing.

http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_70216_0_7fb41ee79a969f3de378f9e2f42dd3b9.jpg

[f6bits]

Nice article. Gotta love eHow.

Ok, so it's not a centrifugal thing. The magnet "attaches" to a point on the drum and pulls the actuator arm. So if the trailer is parked with the breakaway switch activated, the brake will engage as the drum begins to rotate.

In other words, it won't stop the rocking.

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4885424_do-electric-trailer-brakes-work_.html

[apr67]

Nice article. Gotta love eHow.

Ok, so it's not a centrifugal thing. The magnet "attaches" to a point on the drum and pulls the actuator arm. So if the trailer is parked with the breakaway switch activated, the brake will engage as the drum begins to rotate.

In other words, it won't stop the rocking.

Bingo Bango.

[rjsurfer]

Bingo Bango.

Bingo bango +2

Brakes will NOT work when stationary.

Ron W.

[mhs4771]

Most "Break-a-Way" Switches are only designed to handle the high current to the brake magnets for a short period of time. If you pull the pin and leave it out, more than likely you'll melt the switch assembly if the battery/batteries don't go dead first.