Accidental activation of trailer's emergency brakes.
RonC said
07:02 PM Aug 24, 2016
Since Howard has shared his Oh S*** moments so we could learn from them, I thought that I would do the same. Recently, I made a relatively sharp right hand turn out of a parking lot that had a big dip along the edge of the road I was turning onto. As I made the turn I felt a LOT Of drag and I assumed I was dragging something (landing gear, leveling jack or back bumper) due to the big dip. Nope, as I tried to power thru it, the drag was VERY strong. I got out and saw the skid marks from the tires being locked up ... I had dragged them about 10 feet or so. I figured out (quickly) that the sharp turn had caused the breakaway lanyard to be pulled which actuated the trailer brakes ... just like they're supposed to! I plugged the lanyard back in and this released the brakes and off we went. So the moral of the story is to make sure there is nothing near the breakaway lanyard that it can snag on causing an unintended activation of the trailer brakes in a sharp turn. I've rearranged my stuff in the truck bed to clear the area around the breakaway lanyard. I'm putting this on my "lessons learned that didn't cost too much" list.
-- Edited by RonC on Wednesday 24th of August 2016 07:05:41 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 25th of August 2016 03:59:46 PM
Dennisvr said
07:54 PM Aug 24, 2016
Those are the lessons I don't mind learning. The ones that don't cost money or worse.
RonC said
08:11 PM Aug 24, 2016
If we help each other ... a good thing, right!
Bill and Linda said
08:57 AM Aug 25, 2016
RonC wrote:
So the moral of the story is to make sure three is nothing near the breakaway lanyard that it can snag on causing an unintended activation of the trailer brakes in a sharp turn. I've rearranged my stuff in the truck bed to clear the area around the breakaway lanyard. I'm putting this on my "lessons learned that didn't cost too much" list.
-- Edited by RonC on Wednesday 24th of August 2016 07:05:41 PM
If you tow enough miles this will happen. This isn't a unique experience.
So here is where the "moral of the story" becomes an action plan. Put a section of "wire loom" - available at Lowe's or any auto store - along the entire length of the metal cable that runs to the breakaway switch. The larger diameter loom will better protect the cable from catching on something - like the hitch rails - etc. I prefer the plastic loom because it is "slicker" than the cloth version.
You want the loom to run the entire length of the cable and then put a tie wrap at each end around the loom to make sure the loom stays more or less put.
"Ask me how I know this" works and why it is necessary.
At least you know the brakes work on the trailer.
NWescapee said
11:41 AM Aug 25, 2016
As Bill said, as least you know the brakes work!! We had one of those unexpected moments of locking the brakes early on in our 5th wheel experience, backing in at a weird angle, on a down slope and we got to the end of the breakaway cable. It was kind of a surprise, no danger, no damage, but a learning experience.
RonC said
08:59 PM Aug 25, 2016
Bill,
It was unique enough for me that I really don't want it to happen again. I've had several boats over the years and I was always told "everybody leaves the bilge plug out at some point" ... because I was told that, I never did that. Your solution sounds interesting ... could you post a picture?
Bill and Linda said
11:02 AM Aug 26, 2016
RonC wrote:
Bill,
It was unique enough for me that I really don't want it to happen again. I've had several boats over the years and I was always told "everybody leaves the bilge plug out at some point" ... because I was told that, I never did that. Your solution sounds interesting ... could you post a picture?
Just a piece of plastic tube with a slit in it that you put over the steel wire. And correct, you don't want it to happen. Actually in the wrong situation it could be dangerous.
Since Howard has shared his Oh S*** moments so we could learn from them, I thought that I would do the same. Recently, I made a relatively sharp right hand turn out of a parking lot that had a big dip along the edge of the road I was turning onto. As I made the turn I felt a LOT Of drag and I assumed I was dragging something (landing gear, leveling jack or back bumper) due to the big dip. Nope, as I tried to power thru it, the drag was VERY strong. I got out and saw the skid marks from the tires being locked up ... I had dragged them about 10 feet or so. I figured out (quickly) that the sharp turn had caused the breakaway lanyard to be pulled which actuated the trailer brakes ... just like they're supposed to! I plugged the lanyard back in and this released the brakes and off we went. So the moral of the story is to make sure there is nothing near the breakaway lanyard that it can snag on causing an unintended activation of the trailer brakes in a sharp turn. I've rearranged my stuff in the truck bed to clear the area around the breakaway lanyard. I'm putting this on my "lessons learned that didn't cost too much" list.
-- Edited by RonC on Wednesday 24th of August 2016 07:05:41 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 25th of August 2016 03:59:46 PM
If you tow enough miles this will happen. This isn't a unique experience.
So here is where the "moral of the story" becomes an action plan. Put a section of "wire loom" - available at Lowe's or any auto store - along the entire length of the metal cable that runs to the breakaway switch. The larger diameter loom will better protect the cable from catching on something - like the hitch rails - etc. I prefer the plastic loom because it is "slicker" than the cloth version.
You want the loom to run the entire length of the cable and then put a tie wrap at each end around the loom to make sure the loom stays more or less put.
"Ask me how I know this" works and why it is necessary.
At least you know the brakes work on the trailer.
Bill,
It was unique enough for me that I really don't want it to happen again. I've had several boats over the years and I was always told "everybody leaves the bilge plug out at some point" ... because I was told that, I never did that. Your solution sounds interesting ... could you post a picture?
Just a piece of plastic tube with a slit in it that you put over the steel wire. And correct, you don't want it to happen. Actually in the wrong situation it could be dangerous.
https://www.belmetric.com/split-wire-loom-c-19_165/el1-split-wire-loom-p-2917.html?zenid=snoigkf8sq1f36ocoqsud6f722
The picture is of 1" loom. That's too big but the best pix I could find quickly. 3/8" loom or 1/2" should be plenty big enough.
Fastway 80-01-2160 Zip Breakway Cable, 6'
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$14.38