Use Electric Parking Brake for Toad Break-away ? ? ?

[sealg]

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee has an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) It is activated with a simple electric switch on the console.

So I am thinking of using that EPB brake as the Break-away feature for towing. I could put a simple switch up front that gets set when the toad separates from the MH. THe switch would turn on the Jeep's electric actuated Parking brake.

What Say ? ? ?

[tropical36]

sch911 wrote:
I say no way!

The switch has 10 connections, and would require extensive knowlege of the Electric Park Brake Module to pull off what you want.



Surprised?

So, which is the state of default with this system, brake on or off, like what happens with a dead battery and does this system release or activate with 12vdc? I can only think that default, would be BRAKE ON, for it to be fail safe.

[sealg]

sch911 wrote:


The switch has 10 connections, and would require extensive knowledge of the Electric Park Brake Module to pull off what you want.



Surprised?

Well sch911, you got me going. I pulled the switch so I could see the back and guess what? You diagram is correct! There are ten wires going into the switch. (remember the good old days?)

BUT... it appears to me that it would be pretty easy to install a little solenoid that would mechanically flip the brake switch.

That way I have no invasive connection to the wiring. Still an easy install and I could even make it look pretty.

[mowermech]

" This has very limited stopping power at high was speed and could put the vehicle into a spin."

What do you think will happen if the service brakes are locked up with no one on board to control the steering?
I certainly wish some independent testing agency would hook up a toad with explosive bolts, with these braking systems installed, and cut it loose at 70 MPH to see what would happen. I do believe the results would be informative and educational! Sometimes it appears that many folks believe the rig will come to a nice, straight-line stop. I don't think so. It may very well be a disaster.
Again, some testing to verify the results would be a very good thing, IMO.

I haven't had a vehicle with a separate parking brake for years, IIRC. I think the last one was a 1951 Plymouth convertible. I believe all the rest have actuated the rear service brakes. I could be wrong, it happens frequently. The older I get, the more frequently it happens.

[sealg]

Input from folks who understand this is useful to my question. Thank you.

At this point, I have to note that:

- in my case the "emergency brakes" are the same brakes used on the the car all the time. The disk brakes with an actuator. Not a special "parking only" brake.

- assuming I can figure out the switch, the brakes would be applied aggressively AND with benefit of the anti-lock feature ! (per a Chrysler publication that I found).

- Frankly my goal is a breakaway system that a) will likely never be used anyway, and b) satisfies me and the break-away regulations that it will "work". I am careful about maintaining and monitoring my tow bar and emergency cables, so meeting the regulation requirement is my primary goal.

- This would apply only the rear brakes. But a car careening away after towbar AND safety cable failures is a messy prospect anyway, isn't it? :E

[ronfisherman]

I have a Chevy Captiva (same as Saturn Vue) with electric emergency brake.
I checked out how my electric emergency brake works. Not having a document to work with. I believe that most of the wires to the switch will be inputs to various controls. In order for a emergency brake to work it has to be available in a emergency. Just needs 12 volts to work.
Not that I would use it for my breakaway. The idea has me thinking.

[dalehelman]

I think emergency brake is a misnomer. My vehicles have parking brakes. Most parking brakes have a small set of brake shoes or apply brakes to rear wheels only. A few have a way to lock drive line other than parking gear. This has very limited stopping power at high was speed and could put the vehicle into a spin. If your system apply force to all four wheels progressively. Go for it its your car. Question does your owners manual suggest applying the emergency brake if the vehicle is moving at highway speed?

[MARKW8]

Something many don't realize, not much on todays autos are controlled by a simple switch. The switch many times, is to command the correct module to activate the system.

Mark

[sealg]

The Electric park/emergency brakes on the jeep cherokee use the normal disk brakes. They have a motor-driven actuator that applies the normal disk brakes.

Since I am looking only for emergency breakaway which is highly unlikely to ever happen, I am thinking that the car's emergency brake system might be good.

It certainly wont get much use - only if the S___ hits the Fan - in which case the effect on the brakes will be the least of the problems.

[FIRE_UP]

dalehelman wrote:
Emergency brakes are designed to keep a vehicle from moving. Not to stop a vehicle once its momentum is up to speed IMHO not a good idea.

dalehelman,
I'm certainly no expert on the subject but, in grand scheme of things, the term "Emergency Brakes" are just what the term implies, FOR AN EMERGENCY. While they've been used as "parking brakes" for eons of time, it's always been my thought that, if the hydraulics were to become disabled for some seriously weird reason, then at least a "mechanical" set of brakes could be used to attempt to slow the vehicle and or even stop it.

Sure, they're not nearly as efficient as the standard service brakes but, it's way better than nothing.
Scott

[dalehelman]

Emergency brakes are designed to keep a vehicle from moving. Not to stop a vehicle once its momentum is up to speed IMHO not a good idea.

[sch911]

sealg wrote:
Very interesting.

Where did you get the diagram? The switch in my car has momentary-on (up) and momentary-off (down) plus an indicator light. I can't imagine what all the other position signals would be.

Maybe the diagram is for a different switch? Or for the control module that is located elsewhere ?

Well, read my sig, perhaps I work there, maybe even a Jeep Engineer.
Yes the module is elsewhere and it's quite a complicated system. But I like your idea nonetheless.

[sealg]

Very interesting.

Where did you get the diagram? The switch in my car has momentary-on (up) and momentary-off (down) plus an indicator light. I can't imagine what all the other position signals would be.

Maybe the diagram is for a different switch? Or for the control module that is located elsewhere ?

[sch911]

I say no way!

The switch has 10 connections, and would require extensive knowlege of the Electric Park Brake Module to pull off what you want.



Surprised?