Alfred -- thanks for the information. This is proof that RAS occasionally
is a worthwhile forum.


"Alfred Spindelberger" wrote in message
om...
"Greg Arnold" wrote in message
news:oXmfb.7094$La.24@fed1read02...
I think the brakes are designed so they don't work when the wheels are
turning backwards. So be careful about parking the trailer when the
tongue is aiming uphill.

"Udo Rumpf" wrote in message
...
What is the mechanism to prevent the breaks from being activated when
backing up?
--

There are two systems to engage the brake on every COBRA- trailer:
The first one is the overrunning brake. It works when you drive ahead
and the trailer comes faster than the tow car (Right hand wheel turns
clockwise, left hand wheel turns anti clockwise)
When you back up, the trailer right hand wheel will turn anti
clockwise and the left hand wheeel will turn clockwise. This causes a
little lever in the wheel- brakes to to push the brake shoes away from
the brake drum.
So, the overrunning brake will release so soon you back- up.
This automatic release during backup will not work when the friction
between the wheel and the surface is lower as the friction in the
brake drum.
This may happen on snow and ice, with a empty or very light trailer
also on wet grass.But when this friction is so low, you just can
"slide" the trailer back with the car ( over slippery surface).

The second brake system is the handbrake. It "overcasts" the
overrunning brake and will work when the trailer drives forward AND
backwards.
The trick is the little gasspring in the handbrake lever.
Open the handbrake lever on your trailer and push the trailer back by
hand.
So soon the wheels start to turn backwards (and the lever inside the
brakedrum
starts to push the brakeshoes away from the drum), the gasspring opens
the handbrake lever a little more. The way resulting from this on the
brake rod is longer than the way of the little lever in the brake
drum - the brake shoes will touch the brake drum again. And block the
wheel.

So, it is save to park the trailer uphill and downhill by using the
handbrake.
But it is strongy recommanded to use the wheel chocks as a second help
to secure your trailer.
All this will work with well adjusted wheel- brakes.
Adjusting the wheel brakes is only a 10 minutes work and needs a
screwdriver, a jack and some safety stands.And sensitive fingers of
the person that will do it.
Take the opportunity to look for the wearing of the brake shoes (
there are two little holes on the rear side of the brake drom,closed
with green plugs).
And repack the bearings if your trailer is built before 1996. All the
newer trailers have the bearings greased for lifetime.

NEVER DRIVE WITH OPEN HANDBRAKE LEVER, BLOCKED BRAKE ROD OR BOWDEN
CABLES!
THIS MAY LEAD TO OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE
AXLE STUMP- A MELTED AXLE STUMP MAY LEAD TO THE LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH
WHEELS!