Forum Discussion
mjbenedict
Feb 24, 2016Explorer
Nvr2loud wrote:As the driver of that vehicle, it was totally your fault. It's up to the driver to make sure the vehicle and all its contents/attached devices are secure. That includes at a young age. Now if you were on a permit and a licensed driver was with you, you share that responsibility.Searching_Ut wrote:tatest wrote:
It should not lock up. The cable does not operate the brakes mechanically, it operates a switch to apply power to the brake magnets. The brakes are then applied by forward wheel motion, as they are when you power the brakes from your brake controller.
When you're using a brake controller, the output current to the brake solenoids is controlled by the controller gain settings, and depending on the controller inertia, time, or even how hard the brakes are being applied. You rarely send a full 12 volts, non pulse modulated. With the breakaway switch a full steady 12vdc is sent from the trailer battery and if the brakes are sufficient to lock the wheels they will.
As for not having a working breakaway system, personally the thought of having a runaway 15,000 lbs mass destruction device isn't appealing to me. I check mine breakaway system regularly, and since I use an Andersen Ball hitch for my 5er I also use safety chains even though they aren't required where I'm generally using the trailer. I've never had a trailer get away in years of towing, but why take the chance.
I've lost a trailer, and I wish it had brakes and a brakeaway switch. It was only a utility trailer, I was only 16, it did not fit properly on the ball and it jumped off. It careened off the dirt road, into the woods, and destroyed itself. The rear bumper of the van and the tailgate were heavily damaged, brake/marker light smashed.
I have NEVER had another towing incident yet. That was a real eye-opener at a young age... and it wasn't totally my fault
Not that this is you but too many people are on the roads that know nothing about the mechanics/maintenance of a vehicle, they really shouldn't be driving.
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