Vacuum Brake
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Vacuum Brake
I bought a 76 F250 Camper Special (390) a few weeks ago. The guy that I bought it off of, put on a vacuum brake. I have a couple questions about this. What is one of these worth new? Aren't trailers with vacuum brakes HUGE? Could I even tow one of them? Thanks for the help.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Alaska
He may have added a vacuum booster to the truck as it may not have had power brakes from the factory, that is doable.
I am not aware of any vacuum brake systems on trailers, I'm not saying they don't exist but I've never seen one and I've been doing this for a long time.
I am not aware of any vacuum brake systems on trailers, I'm not saying they don't exist but I've never seen one and I've been doing this for a long time.
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From: USA
I think you're confusing the vacuum brake booster with truck and trailer air brakes used on Class 8 trucks. Air brakes are powered by an engine-driven air compressor.
The vacuum booster doesn't have anything to do with trailer brakes and it is powered from engine vacuum. It simply puts more pressure on the master cylinder so you don't have to stand on the brake pedal to stop the truck. Replacement vacuum brake boosters can be purchased at your local autoparts store or Ford dealer and can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the truck. I don't imagine yours costing a whole lot.
If you wish to tow a trailer with brakes, they will likely be electric brakes, unless it is a boat trailer, and you need an electric brake controller wired into the truck to operate the trailer brakes. You can read more about trailer brakes and check out brake controllers at www.e-trailer.com or www.reeseprod.com or visit any of the trailer brake controller manufacturer websites. Jordan and Tekonsha (or Teknosha, however it's spelled) are two good ones.
The vacuum booster doesn't have anything to do with trailer brakes and it is powered from engine vacuum. It simply puts more pressure on the master cylinder so you don't have to stand on the brake pedal to stop the truck. Replacement vacuum brake boosters can be purchased at your local autoparts store or Ford dealer and can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the truck. I don't imagine yours costing a whole lot.
If you wish to tow a trailer with brakes, they will likely be electric brakes, unless it is a boat trailer, and you need an electric brake controller wired into the truck to operate the trailer brakes. You can read more about trailer brakes and check out brake controllers at www.e-trailer.com or www.reeseprod.com or visit any of the trailer brake controller manufacturer websites. Jordan and Tekonsha (or Teknosha, however it's spelled) are two good ones.
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From: Michigan
http://www.bludotinc.com/pdf/vacuum_hydraulic.pdf i found this site about vacuum trailer brakes.
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From: USA
That's an interesting website. Thanks for posting it. I've seen the electro-hydraulic systems, but never a vacuum-hydraulic system. In any case, it requires a trailer with hydraulic brake axles, which most people dont have, except for boat- and rental trailers with surge brake master cyl that dont need a controller in the truck.
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From: Dixie
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I agree with 001-F DORF that there are a large number of trailers with vacuum brakes, but most trailers with vacuum brakes are rather large though, like 76_F250 said.
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From: Oklahoma
Vacuum over hydraulic and electric over hydraulic brake systems are common on a lot of the larger "hotshot" type flatbed goosenecks and fifth wheel trailers, usually 40' to 53' lengths. I pull a 40' gooseneck with tandem dual axles though, and straight electric brakes on both axles works just fine.
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Okay so what is the point?
What is the point of this system then? Horse trailers? I get the idea that only large trailers, that I can't pull, will use this system. If that is so WHY would anyone put one on F250? Custom use maybe? Does anyone have a trailer that this would mate up to? It has two 1/2" hoses to hook up the trailer to.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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From: Michigan
Better and more consistent trailer braking is the reason for vacuum brakes. I am not sure why they would be on your 250. Could have been more popular years ago but electric trailer brakes are more reliable then they were.