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03-28-2013, 09:57 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Springfield, VA
Posts: 25
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Trailer brakes to reduce rocking ?
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
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03-28-2013, 10:08 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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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.
__________________
-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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03-28-2013, 10:14 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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
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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.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-28-2013, 10:24 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Springfield, VA
Posts: 25
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Thanks for the input. I'll just use the wood to avoid any issues.
Happy Easter
-Greg-
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03-28-2013, 11:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
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That is an interesting method. I have always just used the small yellow chocks on the wheels but generally just set them there.
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03-28-2013, 12:09 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Katy, Texas
Posts: 161
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Invest in some x chocks.
__________________
Tow rig - 2012 f250 6.7l turbo diesel FX4 quad cab Super Duty
Camper - 2013 Keystone Sprinter 311bhs
Grocery getter - 2012 BOSS302
"AUTISM IS NOT A TRAGEDY. IGNORANCE IS THE TRAGEDY."
https://i.imgur.com/3IyXHzt.png
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03-28-2013, 12:14 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 51
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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.
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03-28-2013, 12:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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__________________
-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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03-28-2013, 01:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryWT
That is an interesting method. I have always just used the small yellow chocks on the wheels but generally just set them there.
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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.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-28-2013, 03:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveC7010
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.
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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.
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03-28-2013, 04:46 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4885424...kes-work_.html
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03-28-2013, 05:50 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northville NY in the Adirondacks
Posts: 2,128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryWT
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.
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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.
__________________
'11 Cougar 326MKS loaded with mods
'12 Ford F250 SuperCab 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
Amateur Radio: KD2IAT (146.520) GMRS: WQPG808 (462.675 TPL 141.3)
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03-28-2013, 06:43 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,739
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by apr67
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__________________
-Scott, DW, DG, DB, and DD
2011 Passport 2590BH
2009 Ford F150 SuperCrew F X4 5.4L w/Max Tow
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03-29-2013, 10:18 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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Bingo Bango.
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03-31-2013, 04:03 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apr67
Bingo Bango.
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Bingo bango +2
Brakes will NOT work when stationary.
Ron W.
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03-31-2013, 10:10 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 478
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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.
__________________
2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Ext Cab LT DRW Duramax/Allison pulling a 2012 SOB (still Thor, but not a Keystone), Dual ACs, 4 Door Fridge, Fireplace, Sleep Number Bed, Level-Up Auto Levelers, Disc Brakes, Winegard DirecTV SlimLine Auto Dish, Onan 5.5K, Splendide Combo Washer/Dryer, GY G114s on HiSpec 17.5 wheels, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Mor/ryde IS.
Michelle & Ann Sullivan and 4 American Shorthairs
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