Trailer follies

On Wednesday, 13 June 2012 21:49:51 UTC-6, (unknown) wrote:
I put a Dexter axle with electric brakes on my Cobra works great. I also **** caned those cheap plastic fenders now I can sit on the fender and change my shoes and socks with out falling over.

I am trying to understand how electric brakes function when not plugged into the vehicle. Are the brakes 'on' when unplugged? How do you deal with grand handling the trailer if you want to move it manually? Sorry of these seem like simple questions but I am trying to determine a cheaper way to add brakes to my trailer. The ALKO axle was replaced with non-braked axle.

Thanks Ron Gleason

On Thursday, June 14, 2012 2:13:51 PM UTC-4, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Wednesday, 13 June 2012 21:49:51 UTC-6, (unknown) wrote:
I put a Dexter axle with electric brakes on my Cobra works great. I also **** caned those cheap plastic fenders now I can sit on the fender and change my shoes and socks with out falling over.

I am trying to understand how electric brakes function when not plugged into the vehicle. Are the brakes 'on' when unplugged? How do you deal with grand handling the trailer if you want to move it manually? Sorry of these seem like simple questions but I am trying to determine a cheaper way to add brakes to my trailer. The ALKO axle was replaced with non-braked axle..

Thanks Ron Gleason

Ron,

Dexter for one makes an electric brake with a manual parking brake option. It is actuated by a cable which has to be hooked up to a lever. I suspect that the existing handle on a Komet/Cobra would work well enough. I saw this on a friend's high-end bass boat trailer, and it was pretty impressive.

I am trying to understand how electric brakes function when not plugged into the vehicle. * Are the brakes 'on' when unplugged? *How do you deal with grand handling the trailer if you want to move it manually? *Sorry of these seem like simple questions but I am trying to determine a cheaper way to add brakes to my trailer. *The ALKO axle was replaced with non-braked axle.

Brakes are not on when unplugged, so there are no extra procedures to
moving an unhooked trailer. These setups do use a 'breakaway kit'
however, which is a self contained battery/charger (with built in
indicator lights)/cable actuator on the trailer itself, that locks
them up in the unlikely event of trailer separation. This allows one
to temporarily use it as an e-brake when you need it to stay put for a
bit (and like their surge brethren are not a substitute for common
sense and wheel chocks...), and also provide one of two ways to test
them for function, the other being manually engaging the brakes from
the cab of the vehicle once hooked up. Also provides a tidy power
source for trailer interior lighting... In all fairness, the e-brake
on surge setups can also be used for a test, which due to my bias I
tend to forget.

Most elec brake controllers have automatic function (typically a gyro
stabilized pendulum actuator) that make them work similar to surge
brakes (but with in-cab/on the fly adjustability and work while
backing up) but also include an override 'throttle' lever that allows
one to manually modulate them from starting voltage to full-on, and is
displayed on an LED allowing one to quickly calibrate to the volt/
stopping power. Most have adjustable settings for the initial grabbing
pressure (by changing the initiation voltage), and a toggle button to
bump it up to three different 'boost' levels on the fly (open road/
congested road/city driving) in addition to the manual throttle lever
for engaging the trailer's brakes independently of the towing vehicle
(great to reduce sway after trucks/crosswinds, minor adjustments for
traffic spacing, taming curvy downhill sections, etc, -all without
affecting cruise control settings or eating into the gas mileage)

There is no cheaper way to add brakes then electrics, if that's what
you mean. You may be able to have the brake flanges welded to your non
braked axle (are you sure they're not there already?), and then you
need two drum/hub/brake components (sold as a unit), wiring,
controller and breakaway kit, assuming your rims/tires are compatible
with the brake equipped drum.

Take note here folks, even if you have no intention of equipping your
trailer with electric brakes (assuming you're not clinging to your
surge-ys...), if you ever change an axle, for god's sake buy one with
effin brake flanges already on it. The cost difference is near
nothing, and if you never wind up installing them they work exactly
the same as an axle without the flanges on it...

-Paul

Yes the brakes are inop when unplugged. I opted for the manual levers for the parking and breakaway function and adapted it to the brake lever so when I park I can engage with the Cobra parking lever on the draw bar. I also found some LED marker liters that bolted right up and tail kites that are very brite and have low amp draw.

On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

On Jun 14, 11:05*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! *Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes..

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

The Cobra brakes have the traditional "star wheel" which automatically
tightens up the brake adjustment when applied in reverse or when
backing up hills with a surge hitch. Surprisingly, the trailer shop
tech said there was no hole in the back plate for manually adjusting
the brakes.

As I understand it, the surge hitch has an air spring inside which
must be overpowered before the brakes come on. If this is working
properly, brakes shouldn't activate anytime except on hard braking.

On Jun 14, 10:05*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! *Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes..

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

Perhaps the Komet brakes work differently, but mine don't release.

Perhaps the boots sealing the cable ends on the trailer in question were removed or never installed, but it's likely a one-off.
In the handful of Cobra and Komet trailers I've owned so far, the properly maintained surge brakes have not been a problem.
Paul, perhaps if you want German manufacturers to use electric brakes which nobody in the rest of the World uses, you should also campaign for 4-wire trailer lighting which nobody else in the World uses? Start by applying to the European equivalent of DOT for approval in your spare time.
ALKO in Indiana sell replacement axles for German trailers with different brake options. Dexter have options. You can buy a German mechanical brake axle or many of the parts involved from Williams Soaring.
Jim

Am 15.06.2012 15:30, Bill D wrote:
On Jun 14, 11:05 pm, Eric wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

The Cobra brakes have the traditional "star wheel" which automatically
tightens up the brake adjustment when applied in reverse or when
backing up hills with a surge hitch. Surprisingly, the trailer shop
tech said there was no hole in the back plate for manually adjusting
the brakes.


There are a few axle/brake system manufacturers on the market that may
work different in how to adjust, You can get detailed drawings and
instructions for almost all systems, all you need for that is the brake
type (you find that usually on a small type plate riveted onto the brake
base plate, near where the cable goes inside the brake), If you tell me
the type of your brake, I can give you a link to the drawings and tell
you more about it. I have worked with those brake system for several
decades on different trailers, and I can tell you for sure it is not
rocket sience, and usually very easy to fix.

As I understand it, the surge hitch has an air spring inside which
must be overpowered before the brakes come on. If this is working
properly, brakes shouldn't activate anytime except on hard braking.

It is not a air spring, it is just a damper. If on a hard brake your
trailer quickly changes between full brake and no brake, that damper is
no longer working and has to be replaced. Takes about one hour of work
if you know how to do it.

--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE

Am 15.06.2012 15:37, Grider Pirate wrote:
On Jun 14, 10:05 pm, Eric wrote:
On 6/13/2012 7:56 AM, Grider Pirate wrote:

I totally agree! Ever tried to back up a hill with your mechanical
surge brakes?? Good luck with that!
My tow vehicle weighs roughly 5 times my trailer with the glider in
it. I don't really think brakes are all that helpful.

My understanding is the brakes release when the wheels turns backward.
Doesn't that happen when you back up a hill?

I have 170,000 miles on my Cobra trailer, and I can't recall ever having
trouble backing up; however, I don't recall how steep the inclines were.
I did have dragging brakes on one side from misadjusting the brake on
that side, but I don't know if that is also possible with electric brakes.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

Perhaps the Komet brakes work differently, but mine don't release.

This is normally due to wrong settings of the brake adjustment or some
parts inside the brake have corroded. Usually it is easy to fix, and I
can give you detailed isntructrions yif you give me the exact brake
type/manufacturer (look at the brake type plate near where the brake
cable goes into the brake)
--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE