I'm in the process of building a gooseneck trailer and plan on putting air brake axles under it. The axles are out of a car hauler with air ride and air brakes with 215-17.5 tires on it. I have the same axles under a pintle hitch and they work and pull great. I was just looking for thoughts on controls for the air brakes.
I have on board air on the truck so that problem is solved. I was thinking of using a regular air brake controller on the trailer with a regulator and electric solenode controlling the brake on and off. That would be similiar to the electric over hydraulic on and off with the regulator to change pressure for load. If the regulator was in the truck it could be adjusted easily.
Does anyone know of any controls that are setup for using air brakes with a non air brake truck.

 

Alot of lookers but no one has went this way. I'm sure it can be done, I've already got the axles and the trailer frame is 60 percent done. Has anyone seen a ready made controller that is electric over air?

 

We get this call every once and awhile, but we have never seen this done without air brakes on the truck.

 

There is a fellow in Kittanning PA-John Altmeyer, owns Altmeyer's Fabricating,Ltd/Custom Fab Trailers. He builds trailers, I have one of his custom built goosenecks. Years ago (possibly still) I believe he installed the type of air brakes you are seeking information about. You might want to give him a call. Phone number is 724-548-5529. I hope he can help you.

CD

 

Even though you have on board air that may not be enough volume for air brakes. Any I have been around use a ton of air. I'm not even sure it would be legal. You might want to check on that.

 

The air volume is no problem, I've really think it will work if set up right. I would like to do it with the brake controller and keep all of the air on the trailer. The axles I have don't have parking brakes just single canisters. On my pintle I put a check valve on the storage tanks so you don't have to pump them up everytime. The control on the brake divider is 1/4 inch so it doesn't take alot of air either.
My thoughts are a pressure regulator in front of a 12 air solenoid that dumps when released will work like the electric over hydraulic systems they sell. Set it up for the load you have and go.
The york compressor puts out around 6 cfm I think. I've got a pintle hitch with the same axles and it pulls great. It had 10,000 lb. axles with springs and hydraulic brakes and was like a brick to pull when loaded. I was at the max on the trailer but the truck would barely maintain 60. I think these axles around 20,000 lb each with 17.5 tires and I can walk my 953 down the road with ease. The air ride sends no road feel up from the trailer.
When I get it done this summer I'll tell you how it works out.

 

I have not ever seen a set up like what you are needing. Just remember in order for an airbrake system to be efective you need to maintain from 80 to 120 lbs of pressure. Also DOT will probalbly require a pressure guage in the cab. When you get it finished please post more detials and pictures it sound like it would make a great brakeing system.

 

How are you going to rig up a breakway?
The cops down here in TX would have a field day with the whole setup.

Just wonderin'

 

The only way I could think of this being possible is to use something like a trolley brake with a servo attached to it, and then use an electric controller to activate it...

Air ride is a great suspension, but it tends to sway alot, so if you don't have the truck to keep the sway to a min then you might not be happy with it...

You better have alot of reserve air on your truck, I am guessing my work truck has about 30gals worth of reserve tanks and I can still drain them to 80 psi with about a dozen good pedal pumps...

 

wheelequipment in tucson can order a air brake controller for pickups.

 

I notice the sway on the pintle hitch with a 953 cat loader on it. You don't feel it in the dumptruck but following it is a whole different picture. I don't think the air reserve is going to be a problem, you are just using four air canisters and if you put the divider close not much line. I really think I can make it work, if it doesn't on a pickup I can cut the gooseneck off and make another pintle hitch out of it. I don't have much in this trailer as most of the iron I already have.