Can I use my runaway brakes when camping?

komodo wrote:
I was thinking, for extra security to remove the cable used for the runaway brakes when I'm setup at a campsite in addition to the chocks used under my wheels.

Could this cause damage to my brakes? YES

The brakes use a magnet to pull the forward brake shoe towards the moving drum, and that is the force that applies the brakes. So if the brakes are turning less than about 10 revolutions per minute, they really will not work well. I don't know if they work in reverse at all, but you can try it in a gravel parking lot at low speed and check.

If the magnet is left on for more than a few minutes, it can overheat and melt, or the coil wire can melt. Then they will not work at all on the return trip. One "Trick" to test the brakes is have someone apply the brake in the truck by hand, and hold a compos near the brakes. If the compos turns toward the brake drum while it is applied, then the brake magnet is working.

Fred.