Brake magnet size
My trailer is in winter storage and i am trying to determine the size of my brake magnet. Its a 2012 kz spree escape, single axle...3500 # gvwr, would they be 7, 10, or 12 inch..thanks for any help
Forum Discussion
katysdad wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:
However, unlike the wives tales pushed around on these forums, you CAN leave the magnets on for a LONG, LONG TIME. They are designed to be able to stop and hold your trailer for a minimum of 10 minutes (per Fed and state motor codes).
d
LONG, LONG time can damage the magnets. Have had trailers in the shop and the magnets got overheated and were ruined from extended time of full 12 volts on them. I'm not talking 10 or 15 minutes but several hours from the pin being pulled accidently or forgotten to put it back in after testing. If the trailer is plugged in to shore power the converter just compounds the problem as the battery doesn't discharge and reduce the voltage to them.
My point is using them AS they are DESIGNED DOES NOT BURN UP the magnets. They ARE designed to be able to withstand AT LEAST 15 MINUTES AT FULL BATTERY VOLTAGE.
Pulling the breakaway for TESTING PURPOSES (10, 15, 20 minutes)WILL NOT HARM THE MAGNETS provided you REMEMBER to reengage the breakaway pin into to switch when done. If you need more time, simply put the pin back in and wait 15-20 minutes for the coils to cool off.
The wives tale spread out on forums like this one, folks are BEING SCARED into thinking to NEVER, EVER, EVER pull the pin if they don't want to burn up the magnets. Therefore they NEVER, EVER, EVER TEST their breakaway.
Having your brakes AND the breakaway working properly IS a required item. There is no way anyone would know if their breakaway works or not if they are afraid to pull the pin....
I TEST my brakes and breakaway each and every time I hitch up, it IS the only way to know if it works. I don't get out on the road until I am satisfied it is in good working order.
