Hydraulic brakes....

[Diamondpilot]

Hey man.. you should run for office with a double-talk statement like that.

I've never had problems with electric brakes.. but i believe they are prone to have problems..

soundguy

( i can fix a oose wire onthe side of the road with a pocket knife and e-tape.. I can't fix a split hyd line ont e sid eof the road with a pocket knife and e-tape! )

Yea, I am getting ready for the call from Obama. I guess what I should have said is the magnets go bad, wires corrode and chafe, ect. Hydraulic brakes have automotive grade lines that last many many years. While the will fail, and I have had one do so when a tire blew and took out the line, its rare just like on a car. Every 5 years or so have a tech inspect the caliapers and pads or shoes and cylinders and bleed the system and its ready to roll.

By the way for the last 6 or so years most of what I am selling has disc brakes that are surge. 20 times better than the drums. And man do they ever have stoping power. I tried to back up a 7,000# boat on a slight incline with my 2006 f-350 Powerstorke. Even in 4 low it was spinning the tires. Many of the old actuators had a lockout pin you could install for this situation but many do not anymore. The have a reverse lock out selonoid that activates when the reverse light come on via the center pin on a standard 7 round plug. This trailer in question did not have one. I installed one the next week.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

One downside to hydraulic is that they 'work' in reverse; if you try backing up a hill the brakes come on. There might be an override to disable them but then they don't work at all.

Yep.. I've seent he ones with the flip levers for reverse.. but then ya got no brakes... not ideal..

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

One pitch for E-brakes is that you can use the slider bar to correct a fishtail.

 

[Soundguy]

Bigtime!

or stop the tow vehicle when it's brakes fail completely!

soundguy

 

[franklinute]

I have an 18' equipment trailer with surge brakes and I give them a big two thumb up! Very reliable, and if adjusted properly work very well. On electric brakes a weak link in your electrical connections and you may not have brakes when you need them. Some states have gone back and forth if hydraulic brakes are legal or not on commercial trailers. The only problem I have had is with a heavy load backing up a slight grade or backing up in soft soil the brakes will apply. I have seen a few trailers that have a lockout pin but mine doesn't have that feature.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have an 18' equipment trailer with surge brakes and I give them a big two thumb up! Very reliable, and if adjusted properly work very well. On electric brakes a weak link in your electrical connections and you may not have brakes when you need them. Some states have gone back and forth if hydraulic brakes are legal or not on commercial trailers. The only problem I have had is with a heavy load backing up a slight grade or backing up in soft soil the brakes will apply. I have seen a few trailers that have a lockout pin but mine doesn't have that feature.

Look into a lock out solenoid. It is a lock out that that is electrically acuated via the reverse lights on the tow vehicle. Cost about $30. Goes in the hydro line between the master cylinder and the solid steel brake line. Is wired to the 7 round plug on the center pin. Works slick and you never have to leave the comfort of your truck to lock out the brakes.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

I have an 18' equipment trailer with surge brakes and I give them a big two thumb up! Very reliable, and if adjusted properly work very well. On electric brakes a weak link in your electrical connections and you may not have brakes when you need them. Some states have gone back and forth if hydraulic brakes are legal or not on commercial trailers. The only problem I have had is with a heavy load backing up a slight grade or backing up in soft soil the brakes will apply. I have seen a few trailers that have a lockout pin but mine doesn't have that feature.

So why would you say 'adjusted properly' they work well.. then point to a maintenance issue on electric brakes.

My answer is that 'prperly maintained'.. the electrical connections are fine.. just takes a lil dab of grease to prevent corrosion.. etc... and inspection before you use them.. just like wet brake..

tit for tat

soudnguy

 

[Renze]

Yep.. I've seent he ones with the flip levers for reverse.. but then ya got no brakes... not ideal..

soundguy

Most European surge brakes have "backmatic" brakes, it automatically releases when the directon of turning is reversed. the Knott system works perfectly, the Al-Ko system gets stuck. Most sane folks dont reverse fast enough to actually need trailer brakes in reverse.
We used to weld the backmatic shut when these 1800 kg axles were used on an air braked 5th wheel, with 2 or 3 axles.

 

[Soundguy]

Most European surge brakes have "backmatic" brakes, it automatically releases when the directon of turning is reversed. the Knott system works perfectly, the Al-Ko system gets stuck. Most sane folks dont reverse fast enough to actually need trailer brakes in reverse.
We used to weld the backmatic shut when these 1800 kg axles were used on an air braked 5th wheel, with 2 or 3 axles.

Sanity has -0- to do with needing brakes in reverse.

what if you were backing a trailer down an incline and your truck brakes failed. .sanity would be having trailer brakes to help stop you...

soundguy

 

[Renze]

what if you were backing a trailer down an incline and your truck brakes failed. .sanity would be having trailer brakes to help stop you...

Have you ever experienced a total failure of BOTH brake circuits on your truck ??? you'd be the first i'd hear it from.

You might as well haul your empty tandem hauler to church at sunday, as an extra safety measure, just in case the brakes of your truck fail when reversing off the parking lot...