Any Teardrops Out There with Hand (Parking) Brakes?

[bobhenry]

That leaves me with the vision of a "pusher" chasing his trailer down the hill, yelling, "left, no right, no left....".

Well at least you could avoid the larger trees !

[bobhenry]

All the talk about wheel chocks reminded me of a funny moment when camping with the Michigan group!

I backed into an up hill pad and I almost always leave the trailer attached so this made the trailer set nose down.

I had brought a truck bed full of cut off lumber some of these were engineered lumber sections 5 1/2 thick. I stacked up two of them and placed a single in front of the stack to be able to back the truck up on to level out. Is I was backing up onto the blocks a fellow camper rushed up to warn me I was backing over my wheel chocks.

He had a funny look on his face when I told him I knew.

I explained to him when I got the truck shut off

[Dale M.]

That leaves me with the vision of a "pusher" chasing his trailer down the hill, yelling, "left, no right, no left....".

This was my vision also (without the left and right), that is why I suggested the deadman style switch... Release switch and brakes apply.... Its simply uses a push to open set of contacts (keep pressed to release brakes) instead of push to close set of contacts (push to apply brakes).... IF for any problem you just let go of switch and brakes apply....

Dale

[lrrowe]

I missed that point. Good idea even for almost level moves. Especially for older type campers like me.

[mezmo]

Hi lesabret1/Dave,

Welcome to the forum. Your question is a good one. I concur that parking brakes are
a good idea on Any trailer. I believe they are required in Europe, the UK and AU and NZ, but then they seem to have more stringent trailer design rules overall. Since you reminded me of the topic I did some Googling on it. Here are some links that maybe of help. It does look like it is possible to add them here, although they are not a common item [unfortunately].

I assume these links will work. I don't have time to recheck them all at the moment.
http://orschelnproducts.com/products/tr ... e-systems/
http://orschelnproducts.com/wp-content/ ... -Axle1.pdf

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Accesso ... g_Kit.aspx

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brakes/ ... 3-112.html
http://www.dexteraxle.com/inc/sdetail/1491/1468

AU ebay: http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/trailer-hand-brake

http://stores.ebay.com/randpcarriagestr ... 7675.l2568
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-Traile ... 54&vxp=mtr

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/mechani ... rs.605459/

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[KennethW]

If you feel your trailer getting away from you quickly turn it 90 degrees. even if it will hit a tree. Better the a run away trailer. Or better if you pre-plan use two pairs of blocks and move from one to the next.
Just some thoughts!

[lrrowe]

The tree would most likely stop the trailer for sure. The mechcanical brake is interesting and would allow for variable braking and if your trailer already has electric brakes, then the deadman switch concept should provide immediate braking.
But being very carefull and selective where you unhook your trailer and where you try to move it is most important. Using chocks probably should always be used.