njlarry609 wrote:
This is my first trailer with brakes (great feature) so I have some basic dumb queations;
1 Why don't drum brakes lock up when backing as pressure is put on the ball as if braking in forward?
2 How can you tell if the brakes are actually working?
3 How are they bled? Four Winns has a quick disconnect fitting which I assume means the breaks need to be bleed after each disconnect?
4 In a panic stop should you pump the brakes for the trailer or rely on the trucks ABS brakes?
Thanks for your experience.
Larry
1. They are designed to be free backing.
2. That can be hard depending on what size your tow vehicle is in relationship to your trailer. With my Vista, no question. With my 170 Freedom, it has no brakes but even if it did, my F-250 doesn't know it's htere. You could put a piece of wood at the coupler to prevent it from compressing and drive around the block and not the difference. Chnaces are, you will know the difference if they aren't working
3. No they don't or shouldn't
4. Don't pump. Give yourself plenty of stopping room. A nice even pressure is best. If your trailer brakes are working properly you should heat up your vehicle brakes too much.
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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"