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Electric Brakes Hand Brake - Option

Towbert

Towbert

Novice
Do you have the hand brake option? Pluses & minuses of this option will help us decide if we should proceed with this option during our build. Thanks..
 
I have it and I like it. Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it gives some security when you are unhitched. Relying on just chocks when parked on a slope makes me nervous. The one thing I don't like about it is that it is a little vulnerable to being released accidentally. It sticks out past the frame and you could knock it walking by and it will flip off. I am working on an idea to make a safety tether that can be slipped over it.
 
I have it also and like it too. Remember to use wheel chocks in additon to the brake. Like the tether idea as it is easy to bump into, a small bungee cord should work well. Also put it on your check list to release brake before taking off.
 
I had only pulled a horse trailer a few times years ago before getting my CampInn. I got the hand brake because I was nervous and wanted that extra security. I think if you are a person who has been pulling a trailer and are used to using chocks etc the hand brake probably won't do much for you. It works great and I'm glad I have it but you do still have to use chocks. I don't think a person experienced in using chocks would think much of it. It is a good way to save some money on your purchase.
 
No hand brake on ours, but really don't think we need it either.

Between chocks and dropping stabilizer jacks, trailer doesn't move.
 
Hmmm... well, probably have an old version of the hand brake. It worked great for a while, year, maybe two, but then pretty much stopped.


I had it adjusted by Schwabs and worked a little better, but I'm not entirely sold on the model I have. Seemed to have rusted?? or something that made it tough one. Should be pretty simple, just pulling/pushing the pads against the drum but for some reason, probably user error I'm sure, I can put the brake on and still easily move it.

Would I still get it, YES.....
but you need to keep it adjusted I guess.. and that's all the problem might be...
but I don't count on it at all.

Get it, it's probably something on my end. It was a great help in just holding it steady until chalked if needed... Normally on level ground the brake is all you need.
Never had a problem of the lever releasing, it was always a little difficult to engage/disengage ..
worth it...
 
We were debating this option while getting ready to place our order, but then wound up buying a 3 month old/barely used 560 that came up on the forum instead and it does not have the hand brake option. So, I can't offer a first hand opinion. The thing we thought would be really cool about having it, would be if the trailer ever "got away" from you while trying to move it by hand into a campsite on a slope to be able to use it like an emergency brake to stop the trailer.....or can the hand brake even be used like that? We never inquired to find out, since our used one didn't have it.

Casandra
 
Frank: Have you had your electric brakes adjusted? Your malfunctioning parking brake could be an indication that your electric brakes are not effective either. (Check your wheel bearings too while you are at it.) If your running brakes are in good condition, you can crank the knob on the end of the parking brake lever to adjust it.

We have gotten spoiled by automatically adjusting brakes on our cars these days, but our trailers need to be adjusted periodically. It is actually quite easy, just turn the star wheel in the backing plate slot a few clicks. If you are not up to it, a trailer place can do it, but any mechanic older than 50 will do it in a few minutes.
 
Rotus:
thanks, i'll do it...
I did have in last year for a bearing check for the first time. sigh, they repacked it or whatever and 2 trips later burned one out. Took it back (post elsewhere on this forum) and got a new one, but on the first time in, yes they adjusted and lubed the brake cable and it did seem to work again. But stopped soon thereafter...

I should be taking it in again and I'll have them take a deeper look at it, but you're probably correct, just needs adjustments.
That's why I was trying to clarify my post cause it is probably my fault for keeping a grip on it...

thanks for the idea though, it'll get me back in the shop for a check up...

cheers...
 
I am really happy I got the parking brake option. We have a sloped driveway and quickly engaging the brake keeps the trailer from getting away from us when pushing it out of the garage.
 
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