how do trailer brakes work?
Discussion
Jem0911 said:
The Brakes are called overrun brakes. Compressing the front piston pulls a rod acctivating the drum brakes on each wheel.
which is why the people you see belting up the motorway at 80 mph with a trailer are completely bonkers. If there's one certainty in life it is that modern car brakes are MASSIVELY more effective than the trailer brakes. If they slam the brakes on the car will stop - but the trailer WON'T! It'll either go round, over or through the car. Keep a good distance away if you can.
The back half of an articulated lorry or a trailer towed by a lorry is completely different. Full braking system on every wheel operated directly by the tractor unit's braking system. They stop very effectively.
In reply to the original question.
A lot don't because people can't be bothered to adjust,service or reline trailer brakes.
It can be very frightening when a trailer decides to start overtaking the towing vehicle,once helped a mate to fetch some lawn turf from York,almost home when some twunt decided to overtake another car coming up a hill,our Land Rover slowed down but the trailer weighing about 2 tonnes had other ideas and started to jack-knife,letting go the brakes brought it back a bit but not before ripping the front wing off the overtaking car.
A lot don't because people can't be bothered to adjust,service or reline trailer brakes.
It can be very frightening when a trailer decides to start overtaking the towing vehicle,once helped a mate to fetch some lawn turf from York,almost home when some twunt decided to overtake another car coming up a hill,our Land Rover slowed down but the trailer weighing about 2 tonnes had other ideas and started to jack-knife,letting go the brakes brought it back a bit but not before ripping the front wing off the overtaking car.
Jem0911 said:
The Brakes are called overrun brakes.
As the car slows down the trailer brakes are operated by a piston in the drawbar.
Compressing the front piston pulls a rod acctivating the drum brakes on each wheel.
The electrics you require are for the road lights on the trailer.
What he said.As the car slows down the trailer brakes are operated by a piston in the drawbar.
Compressing the front piston pulls a rod acctivating the drum brakes on each wheel.
The electrics you require are for the road lights on the trailer.
Juwt make sure that they are seviced and working. he slightest "brake test" on an unladen trailer should lock the wheels immediately (don't do this in traffic!!) so more cre is required than when pulling a car/boat etc.
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