[AT] Trailer brakes

[Steve W.]

Cecil Bearden wrote:
> I do the same thing with a switch panel I built that hooks up to a 
> battery and has a connector for the trailers.  That way I can test 
> everything without running the battery down on the truck.  I hauled 15 
> bales of hay about 16000lbs plus the trailer (tandem dual bumper pull 
> 30ft) behind my 78 ford 1 ton wrecker across the north end of town last 
> week.  One place I came up to an intesection about 200 yds away at 25mph 
> and it seemed like 50mph....  Front tires were barking loud enough that 
> the cars approaching the intersection stopped about 20 ft early and 
> waited until we got there.  I could pump the brakes and slow it down, 
> but it you needed to stop, it took 1/4 mile....  I guess you could say 
> we were overloaded.  Got to get the brakes fixed on that trailer.. But 
> then again, Henry Ford left a legacy of dragging your feet to stop.  I 
> don't have that problem on my Chevrolet 1 ton or 1/2 ton trucks, but my 
> 3 ford 1 tons just do not stop trailers that are loaded without their 
> own brakes....  I gotta get the old Fire truck we drove across country 
> built into a trailer puller...  76 GMC 427 Engine, twin screw with 13 
> spd road ranger...
> 
> Cecil in OKla
> 
Must be a common trend. I made up a box with a rechargeable battery in
it and connections for 4/5/6/7 and individual leads as well. With it I
can test all the lights and brakes without needing a vehicle. I made one
for trailers and the other for vehicles. The vehicle one plugs in and
allows me to check the wiring on the vehicle end easily.



-- 
Steve W.