Re:Surge vs Electric brakes

[Mpotheau@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 9/5/01 8:41:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time, well intentioned 
members wrote:

<< To be able to backup without
 the wheels locking up, you need to go out of the vehicle, and lock the
 mechanism, then backup, then go out again to unlock the mechanism to
 activate the brake system again. >>

AND

<<When you drive down hill, do you want the brakes coming on all the time?>>

Let's debunk these two fledgling urban legends. You do not need to get out of 
the vehicle to back up. NEVER EVER. You need to back up slowly.  If the 
trailer hitch is at the correct height, no problems. I can parallel park my 
trailer by backing up with no problems whatsoever. 

The brakes do not come on all the time when you are driving downhill. This is 
nonsense. The trailer would have to be traveling at a higher speed than the 
tow vehicle to accomplish that.  If that is the case I would seriously 
suggest that the tow vehicle be serviced immediately since it would have a 
differential or bearing problem. 

The problem I recounted with boat ramps is because the tow vehicle is pushing 
a trailer down hill. Again, on level ground the surge brakes do not engage 
when in reverse unless you are an awful tow driver and do not have any 
business towing a trailer. On a boat ramp it takes a simple application of 
the brakes in the tow vehicle and resume in reverse, no problems.

For a long time I have advocated that people should take a road test before 
they drive a vehicle with a trailer. This discussion and the lack of 
understanding shown have convinced me that you should have a license 
endorsement to tow any trailer. I look at the large number of light duty, 
boat, or car trailers that have been jackknifed in reverse and I am more 
convinced than ever that amateurs should be licensed.

Michel
PS- Just for yuks, go up to a trailer with surge brakes and try to actuate 
them manually without the use of a pry bar. Go ahead, try it.

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