16
Nov
Mechanical override brakes use the tow coupling to manually pull a cable connected to the trailers brake drums. Some brake controllers have circuits that respond to the vehicles momentum while towing.
The brakes on a lorry trailer are activated by compressed air.
How does a trailer brake away work. The Trailer Breakaway System is designed to bring a trailer to a safe stop by activating the electric brakes on the trailer should the trailer be disconnected from the tow vehicle while driving. You must have operational electric brakes on the trailer the 12 volt battery must be charged the switch cable must be attached to the vehicle. The breakaway system is designed to bring the trailer to a safe stop in the event that the trailer breaks free from the safety chains or the ball mount.
They are the ultimate emergency brake. It does this by activating the electric brakes on the trailer. The specifics of a breakaway system for trailers.
A breakaway system is an essential component for trailers. Its designed to bring your trailer to a stop if it gets disconnected from your vehicle. This type of setup is essential for safe driving when youre hauling a trailer around.
How is it powered. Breakaway systems run on their own power supply. Breakaway Brake Systems Emergency Systems This is a system that automatically brakes your travel trailer if it ever detaches going down the road.
The cable is attached to the tow vehicle from the travel trailer tongue area and will pull a pin if it detaches and apply the brakes on the trailer bringing it to a stop. If you are towing a trailer or caravan with electric brakes that weighs more than 2000kg its a legal requirement to have a breakaway system AKA an emergency brake system fitted. The safety device mounts to the trailer and in the event of uncoupling during transit will activate the electric brakes and bring the trailer to a safe stop.
The Hopkins Engager Trailer Break-Away Kit works by applying 12 volts of power to the trailer brakes when the plastic key is pulled out of the switch box allowing the circuit to be completed and power applied from the breakaway battery. When the pin is pulled the circuit closes allowing voltage to travel to the trailer brakes. One leg of the switch should be wired to the positive terminal of the break away battery and the other leg tapped into the brake circuit see provided diagram Once you have everything wired as shown in the diagram the system should work fine for you.
The pin is placed in the neck so putting the trailer in reverse does not activate the surge brakes while a driver is backing up or a trailer dolly is guiding the trailer with surge brakes. The pin can be removed when the trailer is ready to travel again. Electric trailer brakes on the other hand work by activating electromagnetic brake drums to create attrition and therefore slow the trailer down.
While surge brakes operate independently electric trailer brakes need to be connected to the power of the tow vehicle and be regulated by a brake control unit or electric brake controller. Mechanical override brakes use the tow coupling to manually pull a cable connected to the trailers brake drums. These are permitted when the GTM is under 2000kg.
They are automatically applied by the brake controller and can be manually operated by a manual control which is installed within reach of the driver. The breakaway switch also known as a plunger is connected to the hitch – when the trailer separates from the tow vehicle the switch immediately sends a signal to the trailers brakes to slow down and safely stop the vehicle. For lots more information on braking systems and towing cruise on to the next page.
The Engager Break-Away System is designed to bring trailers safely to a stop by activating electric brakes should a trailer be disconnected while drivingThis type of safety system is required in most states on trailers rated over 3000 Lb. When the tow vehicle is in reverse pushes in on the trailer neck which would activate the surge brakes. Inserting a pin in the neck of the trailer prevents this from happening while the driver is backing up.
If the pin is left in the neck of the trailer the surge brake will be disabled. The pin must be removed when the vehicle is ready to travel. The brakes on a lorry trailer are activated by compressed air.
Obviously this system cannot usually be fitted to cars some Land Rovers can have an air system for towing so a different solution was sought. As the possible combination of tow vehicle to trailer or caravan was huge a simple system that required no modification to the tow vehicle was looked for. The over-run system was originally called the surge.
The rotating motion of the drum causes the actuating arm to pivot spreading the brake shoes causing them to come in contact with the brake drum and apply the brakes. Safety Features Most states require that trailers using electric brakes be equipped with a safety circuit called a breakaway system designed to apply the brakes if the trailer disconnects from the tow vehicle. The way emergency cable break-away brakes work.
The trailer has come loose from the tow vehicle which pulls a cable. This cable is small and thin so it probably breaks. But before it breaks it locks the trailer brakes hopefully reducing any damage the trailer does.
In the event that the trailer becomes uncoupled from the tow vehicle the breakaway switch will apply the trailer brakes. On an electric brake system a cable is connected to the tow vehicle and the other end of the cable is connected to the breakaway switch. Should the trailer become uncoupled from the tow vehicle hitch ball the cable pulls the pin out of the breakaway switch and the trailer brakes are.
Locate the trailer connectors blue wire that supplies power to the electric brakes. You may have to cut into the trailer wirings sheathing to find the wire. Connect the breakaway switchs other lead to the blue wire with a Scotchlok connector.
If necessary extend the wire from the trailer breakaway switch with 14-gauge automotive. How does a trailer brake controller work. A trailer brake controller uses electricity from the tow vehicle to apply a specific amount of power to the trailer brakes.
It uses electrical circuits and trailer gain settings to regulate the amount of braking power. Some brake controllers have circuits that respond to the vehicles momentum while towing. Set the controller to about mid-point on the gain dial so for a dial marked from 0 to 10 start on 5.
Now drive to about 40kmh and pull up. If the tow vehicle feels like its being pushed by the trailer when youre braking there isnt enough trailer braking. Surge brakes are self-contained and do not require any special hookups or brake controllers to activate the trailers braking system.
However there is a very short delay between the trailer brakes activating and the vehicles brakes which means that it will take longer for.