Does Anyone Else Do This?

[Rara Avis]

Who's going to be checking my trailer ?

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

 

[Willl]

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

Nope, least not yet.

 

[Egon]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[WayneB]

Who's going to be checking my trailer ?

I was told that in NH trailers with dual wheels rated 3500 LBS or over must be inspected yearly. I think it goes from June to June.