Construction trailer> good deal?

[Builder]

They do rule. They also cost more and I'm not going to use it more than 12X per year.
I'm not going to pass up on a clean electric braked 12-15 ton trailer if it presents itself, but I hate electric brakes, too.

 

[Bob Rooks]

they don't work.
they are expensive to fix and maintain (shoes, etc)
that stupid breakaway battery always dies and you can't tell and you get a ticket.

air brakes RULE!!!!!!

Strange, the ones on my 7 ton trailer have been working just fine. Battery is three years old and quite intelligent- left out in the freezing weather, etc., no problemo, you might have something connected improperly. Do the police pull you over to check your battery or check it at the scales? WOW! Never happened to me. Maybe your trailer looks like a giant red flag :laughing:
In WA state you have to have an air brake endorsement on your license for those.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

They do rule. They also cost more and I'm not going to use it more than 12X per year.
I'm not going to pass up on a clean electric braked 12-15 ton trailer if it presents itself, but I hate electric brakes, too.

2x. for low usage $$$ invested is a concern of mine but I do not run across scales and with the long wheel based F700 (16' flat dump) with the pintle hitch if I put 4-5K on the hitch the truck brakes are enough most of the time anyway without hitting the brakes.

 

[Bob Rooks]

2x. for low usage $$$ invested is a concern of mine but I do not run across scales and with the long wheel based F700 (16' flat dump) with the pintle hitch if I put 4-5K on the hitch the truck brakes are enough most of the time anyway without hitting the brakes.

With all due respect, anyone that would run 4/5k ON THE HITCH (meaning 20+k on the trailer) without trailer brakes is a menace to society.
Guess you have never jacknifed.
Or mybe I misunderstood.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

With all due respect, anyone that would run 4/5k ON THE HITCH (meaning 20+k on the trailer) without trailer brakes is a menace to society.
Guess you have never jacknifed.
Or mybe I misunderstood.

The subject was air vs electric that I was replying to. If you back a 13,000 pound backhoe on the trailer you can get that kind of weight on the pintle hitch in some cases.

Tell us about the conditions that lead to your jack knifing of a loaded construction trailer.

 

[Bob Rooks]

Tell us about the conditions that lead to your jack knifing of a loaded construction trailer.

I was a test driver for PACCAR. I've jacknifed all sorts of configurations from 20 mph split coefficients to 60 mph evasive right-angles. Test track was ex- B-25 airstrip in Madras, OR. And yes, I do like air brakes, and am very familiar with FMVSS 121 and legal trailer loading practices. You?

If you back a 13,000 pound backhoe on the trailer you can get that kind of weight on the pintle hitch in some cases.

Agreed, but you don't want to go anywhere without trailer brakes of any kind, as you suggested that you did.

 

[Duffster]

In WA state you have to have an air brake endorsement on your license for those.

No. Not really. :laughing:

 

[Bob Rooks]

No. Not really. :laughing:

You are correct. I will re-phrase:
In WA state you have to have an air brake endorsement on your license for those (unless you remain on your property or it is an implement of husbandry) in order to be legal.

 

[Duffster]

You are correct. I will re-phrase:
In WA state you have to have an air brake endorsement on your license for those (unless you remain on your property or it is an implement of husbandry) in order to be legal.

Nope. There is no such thing as an air brake endorsement in WA or any other state in the US. At least not on a CDL.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I was a test driver for PACCAR. I've jacknifed all sorts of configurations from 20 mph split coefficients to 60 mph evasive right-angles. Test track was ex- B-25 airstrip in Madras, OR. And yes, I do like air brakes, and am very familiar with FMVSS 121 and legal trailer loading practices. You?


Agreed, but you don't want to go anywhere without trailer brakes of any kind, as you suggested that you did.

Bob that is impressive. Not sure as to why you have a need to assume people doing things they never posted that they did. :laughing:

Bob can you give us more details about the jacknifed split coefficients?