Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

[woody619]

We just finished up remodeling the trailer a bit (just the welding and bolting) and are trying to figure out what this lever with a cable does or is. We pulled on it and now it's engaged. We're trying to figure out how to disengage it.Here are pics...

 

[dingbat]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

You know what they say, it all else fails read the instruction.

That's the emergency ?break away? brake. Used in case the trailer comes off the hitch. The cables is attached to the hitch via the S-hook on the end of the cable while towing.

To disengage, use a screwdriver and push that small metal tab now setting under the lever forward while pulling the level backwards. Release the lever once tab is out of the way.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

...... To disengage, use a screwdriver and push that small metal tab now setting under the lever forward while pulling the level backwards. Release the lever once tab is out of the way.

Ah, Dingbat, turn around and try that again.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

What he said^^^^

BTW- your loops that are welded onto the side of the tongue do not seem to be welded on real well, they look like they will not be up to the task of holding your trailer behind you if the aforementioned breakaway device is ever needed.

 

[woody619]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

Ya, I know (Reading the instructions) but the actuator just came in a box with no directions.

Ok, I got it? In case it comes off it engages the brakes.

Re: the welds. My stick welder broke down in the morning after using it to tac, so I went to home depot and rented a mig welder - i was on a mission (They only had light duty). Bad move. Too light gauge. But I already paid for the rental. I had to go over it like 3 times to get it on kinda thick I'm going to grind and reweld it after we fix or replace my welder.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

The instructions I got said the emergency "brake-away" cable should be the last link in the failure chain. So the first link is the hitch and ball. If that link fails, the safety chains should keep the trailer ( loosely ) attached to the TV. Finally, if the safety chains fail, the emergency cable should put the brakes on to stop the unattached trailer. So the cable should be long enough to not apply the brake until after the safety chains fail.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

You know what they say, it all else fails read the instruction. .............

It looks new so one would expect that it came with instructions.

re: the chain loops, he's 3,000 miles away from me so ......................

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

in my neck of the woods the dmv wants safety chains bolted to the tongue not welded, you may want to check your local laws

 

[rwidman]

Re: Hydraulic Brake Actuator lever

in my neck of the woods the dmv wants safety chains bolted to the tongue not welded, you may want to check your local laws

Good catch. It looks like the chains in the photo are just looped through the loops, not fastened.

It seems it would be easier to drill a hole and bolt the chains than to try to weld something.