Ever put those safety chains to use?
02-26-2004, 07:54 AM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
I still stand by my statement -
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
Go ahead and criticize me and scold me and try to humiliate me, but you do your thing and ill do mine. Yall can dream up all hypo scenarios yall want and make me a child killer - but I do it for a living yall dont.
lawnpro - sounds like operator error
PS - With all this infinite wisdom floating in here - could someone please direct me to the law in the FMCSR regarding safety chains on commercial vehicles.
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
Go ahead and criticize me and scold me and try to humiliate me, but you do your thing and ill do mine. Yall can dream up all hypo scenarios yall want and make me a child killer - but I do it for a living yall dont.
lawnpro - sounds like operator error
PS - With all this infinite wisdom floating in here - could someone please direct me to the law in the FMCSR regarding safety chains on commercial vehicles.
02-26-2004, 08:38 AM
#32
Chapter President
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Waynesboro Ga ...Haul custom Motorcycles
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by BigBlackDodge
I still stand by my statement -
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
Go ahead and criticize me and scold me and try to humiliate me, but you do your thing and ill do mine. Yall can dream up all hypo scenarios yall want and make me a child killer - but I do it for a living yall dont.
lawnpro - sounds like operator error
PS - With all this infinite wisdom floating in here - could someone please direct me to the law in the FMCSR regarding safety chains on commercial vehicles.
I still stand by my statement -
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
Go ahead and criticize me and scold me and try to humiliate me, but you do your thing and ill do mine. Yall can dream up all hypo scenarios yall want and make me a child killer - but I do it for a living yall dont.
lawnpro - sounds like operator error
PS - With all this infinite wisdom floating in here - could someone please direct me to the law in the FMCSR regarding safety chains on commercial vehicles.
Federal Motor Carrier Regulations section 393.70 subpart F
02-26-2004, 08:46 AM
#33
Administrator
Originally posted by BigBlackDodge
I still stand by my statement -
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
B]
I still stand by my statement -
If for some unknown reason my trailer breaks away from my truck - the trailer can go its way and Ill go mine. But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
B]
02-26-2004, 09:25 AM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Pappyman this artcile 393.70 is refering to pintle style hook ups. Not goosenecks. The only ball and socket reference is in reference to trucks used to transport mobile homes in tow-away/drive-away situations.
Up until 6 months ago I didnt even use my safety chains.
jr- At 40 mph with 12,000 lbs - a good set of brakes on a pair dual 10,000 alxes with slow down quicker than you think.
Lets see how would I know - uhhh - I did it yesterday. Actually it was a little more than 12,000 lbs. It was a 35" 750,00 btu line heater, 24"od heavy wall hp seperator, meter run on skid, 3 pallets of controls, weld fittings, and valves, 1 bundle of assorted xxhvy pipe, and the stackk for the heater, somewhere around 14,000lbs.
Up until 6 months ago I didnt even use my safety chains.
jr- At 40 mph with 12,000 lbs - a good set of brakes on a pair dual 10,000 alxes with slow down quicker than you think.
Lets see how would I know - uhhh - I did it yesterday. Actually it was a little more than 12,000 lbs. It was a 35" 750,00 btu line heater, 24"od heavy wall hp seperator, meter run on skid, 3 pallets of controls, weld fittings, and valves, 1 bundle of assorted xxhvy pipe, and the stackk for the heater, somewhere around 14,000lbs.
02-26-2004, 02:59 PM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: arizona
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looking at that picture of your GN and saftey chains, that eyelet that both those chains are in is going to come out before you can get your trailer stopped. It would be a better situation to have 2 separate eyelets, one for each chain, to spread the weight of that trailer around a bit. Plus the chains pulling from opposite directions would also help keep the GN centered in the middle of the truck rather than careening back and forth.
When we picked up our first GN and picked up the load in Minn. , We had a 5th wheel type gooseneck hitch put in, on rails, so we could remove it. Went through Des Moines, Ia. on I-235 and hit some construction, hit a horrendous bump, and bent the rails on that hitch (rated at 34k, only had 12k load). Darn lucky it did not break it. Had to have the hitch removed and the dealer replaced it with a turn over ball type in the bed. I won't use anything else now. Good and solid, the safety chains have their own eyelets on either side.
When we picked up our first GN and picked up the load in Minn. , We had a 5th wheel type gooseneck hitch put in, on rails, so we could remove it. Went through Des Moines, Ia. on I-235 and hit some construction, hit a horrendous bump, and bent the rails on that hitch (rated at 34k, only had 12k load). Darn lucky it did not break it. Had to have the hitch removed and the dealer replaced it with a turn over ball type in the bed. I won't use anything else now. Good and solid, the safety chains have their own eyelets on either side.
02-26-2004, 05:11 PM
#36
Registered User
Originally posted by jrs_dodge_diesel
Even thats not enough sometimes. Example : A trailer that wieghs 12000 lbs loaded. Its being pulled at 40 mph with no chains in place. Say it comes loose, and the break away does indeed work. Even with its tires locked the weight of that trailer will keep it going for some distance.
Even thats not enough sometimes. Example : A trailer that wieghs 12000 lbs loaded. Its being pulled at 40 mph with no chains in place. Say it comes loose, and the break away does indeed work. Even with its tires locked the weight of that trailer will keep it going for some distance.
02-26-2004, 06:28 PM
#37
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread makes me worry a lot more. I ve towed my fair share, and thank god never lost a trailer. I have had a few problems, that fortuanately worked out just fine.
Ive never seen a trailer get loose......but it seems that many of you have or experienced it. The scary part to me is that you guys are probably the top 5% of people towing....knowledgable , safty conscoius, etc.....you are not the average 5 ver vacationer.
I would hate to hear the stories from hiway patrol, I bet they are incredible.
I would $$$ that most don t ever test or use or set up there brake controller even.....let alone talk about weight, load distribution, tire ratings, dot regs, and safty chains.
Ive never seen a trailer get loose......but it seems that many of you have or experienced it. The scary part to me is that you guys are probably the top 5% of people towing....knowledgable , safty conscoius, etc.....you are not the average 5 ver vacationer.
I would hate to hear the stories from hiway patrol, I bet they are incredible.
I would $$$ that most don t ever test or use or set up there brake controller even.....let alone talk about weight, load distribution, tire ratings, dot regs, and safty chains.
02-26-2004, 07:10 PM
#38
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Llano, TX
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1320, just monday, I saw a jeep grand cherokee leave a lumber yard with 3 pallets of quickrete on a 16 foot trailer. No chains, or lights hooked up. One pallet of quickrete weighs around 1300lbs I believe. That's 3900 lbs being pulled by a jeep, and no trailer brakes. Glad I wasn't behind or in front of him.
If the breakaway is tripped on a tandem dual trailer with any substantial amount of weight on it, it will stop very quick.
If the breakaway is tripped on a tandem dual trailer with any substantial amount of weight on it, it will stop very quick.
02-26-2004, 07:32 PM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Waynem - your exactly right. Only way for my chains to leave are for my ball to give, Then good bye trailer.
induchman- Its called insurance. never had to use it but I pay a good premium for my commercial insurance.
1320 - I just spen $509 on my rear axle 2 weeks ago and $480 on my front axle about a month ago - just on brakes. New rotors, pads, seals,magnets, and oil.
I keep my break away battery on a solar panel charger to keep it up to snuff. I have it mounted right behind my break away battery box.
eric76 - any trailer with a 3,500 or more gross weight rating must have at least 1 braking axle. If they fall under commercial provisions.
induchman- Its called insurance. never had to use it but I pay a good premium for my commercial insurance.
1320 - I just spen $509 on my rear axle 2 weeks ago and $480 on my front axle about a month ago - just on brakes. New rotors, pads, seals,magnets, and oil.
I keep my break away battery on a solar panel charger to keep it up to snuff. I have it mounted right behind my break away battery box.
eric76 - any trailer with a 3,500 or more gross weight rating must have at least 1 braking axle. If they fall under commercial provisions.
02-26-2004, 08:16 PM
#41
Registered User
Thread Starter
BBD, how much did that solar charger cost? I have been thinking about one of those. Did you splice it directly into the harness, or are you using aligator clips to connect it when you aren't hooked up?
Thanks,
Chris
Thanks,
Chris
02-26-2004, 09:29 PM
#42
Registered User
Two days ago, I was at the RV shop rumaging around the trailer hitches and asseccories. I was looking for a break away kit to add to my trailer that currently does not have one. I lucked out and picked up a Tekonsha break away kit for 33% off (reduced on clearance). It has as 5 A-h gel-cell, break away switch and a battery box with mounting bracket. The install sheet that came with it recommeded using Tekonsha #2024 tow-charger to charge the battery while your trailer is hooked up to the tow vehicle. I took a look on ebay and sure enough.... there is a guy selling several of them for $9.99 Mine should be here in a couple days.
I have a couple of 12volt gel-cells of various sizes and they all hold their charge very well when just sitting. I plan to just check the battery the night before I depart and put it on the AC charger if necessary. Then the tow charger will make sure it stays topped off during my trips.
I have a couple of 12volt gel-cells of various sizes and they all hold their charge very well when just sitting. I plan to just check the battery the night before I depart and put it on the AC charger if necessary. Then the tow charger will make sure it stays topped off during my trips.
02-27-2004, 07:16 AM
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Actually my father picked it up at Academy, dont know the cost. It is spliced into the breakway battery connections. You can find them in the section where they sell the feeders. It is acually a solar charger for a feeder motor battery.
Mechanos - The trickle charger is good, but only when hooked to your trailer. If you dont pull your trailer often, it does no good. But I guess a little charge is better than nothing.
Mechanos - The trickle charger is good, but only when hooked to your trailer. If you dont pull your trailer often, it does no good. But I guess a little charge is better than nothing.
03-01-2004, 01:37 PM
#44
Thats MR Hoss to you buddy!
Originally posted by BigBlackDodge
But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
But as soon as it breaks away the breaks it will get a full 12 volt jolt from the break away and lock up the tires. Wonder why they make such a thing
03-01-2004, 08:59 PM
#45
Registered User
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Hoss
That is, assuming your break away system is working properly. I wonder how many people have actually tested their break away systems??
That is, assuming your break away system is working properly. I wonder how many people have actually tested their break away systems??
Chris
