Locking Trailer Brakes
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
Locking Trailer Brakes
The other day I almost had a disaster while unloading a backhoe off a gooseneck trailer. When the weight of the tractor is on the dovetail of the trailer it almost lifts the rear wheels of the truck off the ground, and my truck, trailer and backhoe went rolling down the street. If I could find a way the install a switch on my Prodigy brake controller to lock the trailer brakes while parked, I will not need someone appling the brakes to the trailer wheels to prevent this from happening. I would also like to know if there is a modification for locking the trailer brakes while parked, for the new intergrated braking system on the 07 F-350.
Fleet Owner
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Pull out the breakaway switch, that will lock the trailer brakes.
Or really, the best option is to get some wheel chocks for the trailer axles, and use them every time you load or unload something like that.
Or really, the best option is to get some wheel chocks for the trailer axles, and use them every time you load or unload something like that.
CO River Rat
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Unplug the trailer's electrical connector before you pull the breakaway pin, to make sure you don't fry your controller with reverse voltage. Reinstall the pin before you plug the trailer into the TV for the same reason. Like Kwik said, chocks are cheap & effective.
Steve
Steve
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Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Pull out the breakaway switch, that will lock the trailer brakes.
Or really, the best option is to get some wheel chocks for the trailer axles, and use them every time you load or unload something like that.
Or really, the best option is to get some wheel chocks for the trailer axles, and use them every time you load or unload something like that.
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From: Wayland, MI
Jorlee hit the nail on the head. If the trailer does not have stand built into the ramps, then they need to get added.
Toyman
Toyman
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From: SW ND
To add from my quick answer.
I tried finding a picture to explain it some more, but failed. They are also called "drop stands", and "loading jacks".
Your trailer must have the pullout style ramps, instead of the one piece flipover. Usually these trailers have a stand that's a few feet from the tail-end of the trailer that either swivels down or pull a pin and it drops down and reinsert pin. Better remember to put them back in the upright position or they'll be curved or lost.
I tried finding a picture to explain it some more, but failed. They are also called "drop stands", and "loading jacks".
Your trailer must have the pullout style ramps, instead of the one piece flipover. Usually these trailers have a stand that's a few feet from the tail-end of the trailer that either swivels down or pull a pin and it drops down and reinsert pin. Better remember to put them back in the upright position or they'll be curved or lost.
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Brett Foote
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Originally Posted by glsurratt
But that only works if his backhoe flatbed trailer has a battery on board. If it doesn't, it will put max current from the TV battery to the trailer brakes and only hold as long as the providing battery can supply current - probably not very long with max current draw. Remember, the purpose of the breakaway is to stop the trailer in an emergency, not hold the trailer like a parking brake.
Steve
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From: Hattiesburg, MS
Thanks for all of the advise. The trailer has the loading jacks, they are just not tall enough, I guess. Might get some more metal added too them, and I will buy some chocks as well. Thanks again.
ToddyW
ToddyW
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Originally Posted by Steina
If he has a breakaway system, then there's a battery on the trailer. No breakaway system is wired thru the TV's battery.
Steve
Steve
You are exactly right. It wouldn't make much sense to depend on the TV battery to stop a trailer that's running down the road on it's own after it breaks away.
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From: Birmingham, AL
The loading stands should solve your problem after you modify them.
A tandem or triple axle trailer can easily walk over standard chock blocks. If you want to choke the trailer, you need the type of chocks that expand between two of the tires on each side of the trailer.
If the weight of the tractor leaving the trailer is raising the rear of the truck, chocking the front wheels of the truck with standard chock blocks may help.
Gene
A tandem or triple axle trailer can easily walk over standard chock blocks. If you want to choke the trailer, you need the type of chocks that expand between two of the tires on each side of the trailer.
If the weight of the tractor leaving the trailer is raising the rear of the truck, chocking the front wheels of the truck with standard chock blocks may help.
Gene
