line lock

[droid_ca]

one of the ideas that I was thinking of installing on my trailer chassis is a line lock braking system has anyone ever done something like this?
For those that don't know what a line lock is ... Basically you engage your brakes through a switch and release your brakes and they stay on
I was thinking that it may be a good safety device as well as possibly not needing wheel chocks .....
What's your opinion on this idea??

[eamarquardt]

I think you're referring to a valve on a hydraulic brake system. Aircraft use this type of "parking brake". That said all aircraft wheels (that I've ever seen) are "chocked". That suggests, to me, that chocking the wheels is a better alternative. I looked up line lock brakes and the intent seems to be to lock up the front wheels so you can "burn out" with the rear wheels. The line lock really doesn't seem to be intended for a parking brake.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[Shadow Catcher]

I have seen a "parking brake" set up on EU trailers that is mechanical. However most trailer brakes in the US are electrical and while there are hydraulic brakes available they are expensive and not common. I have a pair of chocks that work fine.
I will admit I tend to like "neat stuff" and some level of elegant complexity, but after all, parts left out don't go wrong.

[pete42]

If your talking hydraulic brakes then yes I have seen some with this feature if I'm not mistaken I think the T@B uses a "line lock" system
electric brakes would burn up same as if someone pulled the breakaway switch
which causes the brakes to be applied, if left to long it would burn up the coils used on electric brakes
going through Knoxville Tn one time I got into the rush hour traffic creeping along in stop and go traffic
I soon started to smell my brakes getting hot I turned the brake controller down and the smell soon went away
I will say I've never tried pulling the breakaway key just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

pete

[alaska teardrop]

Droid,

I agree with Gus & Shadow Catcher. I have used a line lock on a heavy vehicle with an inadequate parking brake for temporary parking on steeper grades. Because a line brake is a ball valve without seals like a master cylinder, it will bleed through fairly quick under the high pressure.

Can't the master cylinder on a trailer with hydraulic brakes be locked? What interests me, is why you are considering using hydraulic brakes on a light weight trailer.

Fred

[droid_ca]

I know race cars use them for locking up their brakes (at the line) in order to heat up their tires

[GuitarPhotog]

I know race cars use them for locking up their brakes (at the line) in order to heat up their tires

How does that apply to trailers?

And how many of us have tow vehicles equipped for a trailer with hydraulic brakes? I thought they were available only on the largest trucks, not pickups?

<Chas>

[droid_ca]

How does that apply to trailers?

And how many of us have tow vehicles equipped for a trailer with hydraulic brakes? I thought they were available only on the largest trucks, not pickups?

<Chas>

They are not for Hydraulic brakes there is a kit that you can but for a couple of dollars and you install it inline of your brake system it just stops the release of your brakes
I'd like to use it for situations where I'm in the back country and I have to stop on a hill I can lock the brakes on the trailer and still get out of my vehicle

[droid_ca]

I new a guy who had one on a motorcycle so he could do all those crazy tricks

[eamarquardt]

It would be a bit tricky to actuate the hydraulic brakes on the trailer by backing up or somehow working the actuator and then get out to activate your valve (although I guess you could do it remotely with and electric valve and a switch. Chocks are a bit easier, cheaper, and lower maintenance.

Just sayin, ha.

Cheers,

Gus

[mary and bob]

Way back about 1970 I worked as a mechanic for the local power company. They used line locks on their trucks that had hydraulic brakes. They were a manual valve with a lever on the dash or where ever convenient. I think there was an electric valve available also. Some cars had a similar device called hill holder, it was activated by the clutch and it's purpose was to hold the brakes on when you stopped on a hill and when you let the clutch pedal up the brakes released. Subaru may have had this option some time ago, like maybe the 70's or 80's. I think some other cars had this feature too, but it was way back.

[droid_ca]

the setup that I'm referring to is more for when your parked you flip a switch and now your wheels wont turn it can be used as a safety device to help prevent theft or encase of an emergency where you suddenly stop on a hill and need to release your trailer as I'll be doing lots of offroading and sometime you might want to check the roads up ahead before you take your trailer with you...yes it does use up your battery while it is engaged but for the 40.00 or so that it costs it might be a very cost effective device

[eamarquardt]

the setup that I'm referring to is more for when your parked you flip a switch and now your wheels wont turn it can be used as a safety device to help prevent theft or encase of an emergency where you suddenly stop on a hill and need to release your trailer as I'll be doing lots of offroading and sometime you might want to check the roads up ahead before you take your trailer with you...yes it does use up your battery while it is engaged but for the 40.00 or so that it costs it might be a very cost effective device

I'm not sure that I'd wanna disconnect my trailer on anything but pretty flat ground. I did disconnect a heavy utility trailer on a hill one time. It jumped the chocks (bricks) like they weren't even there, ran down a hill (although I almost, almost, almost, got it turned into the side of the hill that ran along the road) hit a parked car, and flattened three of the four tires (the two against the curb and the one the trailer hit). Fortunately no one was hurt and the car (as was the trailer) was a rental.
Won't do that again.

Cheers,

Gus

[pete42]

Way back about 1970 I worked as a mechanic for the local power company. They used line locks on their trucks that had hydraulic brakes. They were a manual valve with a lever on the dash or where ever convenient. I think there was an electric valve available also. Some cars had a similar device called hill holder, it was activated by the clutch and it's purpose was to hold the brakes on when you stopped on a hill and when you let the clutch pedal up the brakes released. Subaru may have had this option some time ago, like maybe the 70's or 80's. I think some other cars had this feature too, but it was way back.

old 50's dodges and nash cars had the clutch lock thingy ..............

[Dale M.]

Actually its just a manual "brake away" switch you are asking about.... Just park TV and pull the pin on break away.... Really don't think its necessary if you have some really good wheel chocks.... Also in Calif, its only required the break away holds trailer for 15 minutes minimum.... And each magnet fully engaged draws about 2 amps, and if you have two magnets going (both brakes) system will draw about 4 amps on trailers battery (either aux break battery or trailers main battery).... Seems like a wasted use of energy.... And any manual control from TV is negated the moment you pull the connector between TV and trailer....

Dale