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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

272.0. "Trailer brakes" by PIXEL::DANI () Tue May 19 1987 14:56

    
    	My mechanic just called with a question about my trailer.
    
    	Apparently only the brakes on one of the axils is hooked
    up.  This brings up the question, "Are both supposed to be hooked
    up?" 
    
    	If the brakes lock on all four wheels the trailer will fish-
    tail around. With only one set hooked up, if they lock the trailer
    will continue to follow the truck because the other set of wheels
    are rolling. 
    
    	I'm inclined to think both should be hooked up.  I haven't had
    a wheel locking problem in the past, and my guess is that they
    were all hooked up at one time.
    
    	Any one out there want put in their two cents?
                                                   
    Dani
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
272.1hook em upPLANET::NICKERSONBob Nickerson DTN 282-1663 :^)Tue May 19 1987 16:2920
    Many trailers only have one axle with brakes, the other axle is
    not a true axle but is a "stub axle".  The condition you describe
    with two wheels turning and two stopping will have little or no
    effect on how much the trailer fish tails.  If I remember back to
    Physics 101 (ughh it hurts) the real problem is inertial imbalance.
    Without getting too technical, if the inertial difference of the
    two vehicles is greater than the coefficient of friction of the
    driven vehicle then the combination will follow the vector of the
    vehicle with highest inertia.  Stated simply, you will go in the
    direction of the heaviest and fastest of the vehicles.  That means
    if you can't brake the trailer faster than you can brake the truck
    pulling it then you will jacknife at the point where you overcome
    the traction of the truck.  Thats why tractor trailers jacknife
    in the snow.  The bottom line is put as many brakes as you can in
    the trailer cause you will need them.  In any case, you can adjust
    the trailer brakes (assuming they are electric).
    
    Bob 
    
    
272.2ThanksPIXEL::DANIWed May 20 1987 12:197
    
    Bob,
    
    Thanks for the info.  I had him hook the second set up.  
    
    Dani
    
272.4Two Pairs WinCOMET2::PAYNESPayne WeberThu May 21 1987 17:146
    It's best to have two pair of brakes than one pair. Especially with
    the move weight of horses inside, etc. . Not to often you get two
    sets of brakes.
    
                           Steve-Who's-getting-ready-for-Arab-showing