How do you reverse with a braked trailer???
28 September 2008, 04:15 PM
#1
How do you reverse with a braked trailer???
Can anyone answer this problem for me. Towed a trailer recently with a brake, when the car braked, a contact plate pushed against the towing hitch, which engaged a braking mechanism on the trailer.
Problem I found was when reversing the car with the trailer attached, this would engage the trailer brake preventing it from moving backward, is there some technique I am unaware of here, or can you just not reverse with this type of trailer?
Problem I found was when reversing the car with the trailer attached, this would engage the trailer brake preventing it from moving backward, is there some technique I am unaware of here, or can you just not reverse with this type of trailer?
28 September 2008, 04:23 PM
#2
Yes, there's usually a method. Modern trailer hitches won't engage the brake unless they detect a fairly violent change in speed, so gently reversing allows the trailer to move backwards.
Older trailers have something on the hitch that can usually be moved so as to stop the hitch moving inwards, and putting on the brakes.
They tenede to be all different, so you'l have to look carefully, or put the name of the hitch manufacturer into Google.
The last one I had like that was a lever that was pulled to face forwards against a spring, then the hitch was turned slightly and the end of the lever engaged under a lug on the hitch, the hitch being turned upright held it in place.When you reveresed th hitch tried to compress, but the soild lever stopped it, result= no braking.
Alcazar
Older trailers have something on the hitch that can usually be moved so as to stop the hitch moving inwards, and putting on the brakes.
They tenede to be all different, so you'l have to look carefully, or put the name of the hitch manufacturer into Google.
The last one I had like that was a lever that was pulled to face forwards against a spring, then the hitch was turned slightly and the end of the lever engaged under a lug on the hitch, the hitch being turned upright held it in place.When you reveresed th hitch tried to compress, but the soild lever stopped it, result= no braking.
Alcazar
28 September 2008, 08:09 PM
#4
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Speed shouldnt matter on most modern units. Alko, BPW and Knott are the larger mufacturers and they all use auto-reverse shoes and have done for several years. Its a fancy arrangement of brake shoes that work as normal in one direction, but when reversed, one she collapses on its mount, allowing the drum to turn freely. Yanking the handbrake on fully overcomes this mechanism and block the drum from rotating in both directions for arking the trailer.
Older trailers that dont have this should have a locking lever of some kind on the hitch that prevents the hitch damper from compressing when you reverse.
Older trailers that dont have this should have a locking lever of some kind on the hitch that prevents the hitch damper from compressing when you reverse.
29 September 2008, 12:00 AM
#6
Scooby Regular
Those fancy shoe arrangements don't half take some getting your head around at replecement time 
It probably didn't help that the first time I encountered them was the morning after a particularly well lubricated evening though
It probably didn't help that the first time I encountered them was the morning after a particularly well lubricated evening though
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