oakback
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Post by oakback on Oct 15, 2018 6:36:54 GMT -8
My mid-60s Phoenix has electric brakes, the type with the magnet that hangs in the middle and is attracted to the brake drum. I can only assume back in the 60s it was activated with the brake lights, is that right?
That said, would it be worthwhile to equip them the modern way, with a brake controller in the cab of the vehicle, or is that a waste of money? Or should I wire them to activate with the brake lights?
I have no idea how strong these old brakes are, or if a brake controller can somehow make them stronger, or if they're strong enough to lock up if they come on full power with the brake lights every time.
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datac
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1957 Cardinal
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Post by datac on Oct 15, 2018 8:22:08 GMT -8
I doubt if it was wired to the brake lights, nor would I ever recommend doing so. Even back in the '60s they would have used a proper brake controller in the cab of the tow vehicle- that's nothing new. In those days it was common to pull even good-sized trailers with cars rather than trucks, so knowing how to properly use a trailer braking system was mandatory. It's not just a matter of mashing the brakes.
Trailer brakes are not like vehicle brakes. Locking them up is not the goal. If their braking power helps shorten your stopping distance that's a nice bonus, but the real purpose is to keep the trailer aligned properly behind you.
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oakback
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Post by oakback on Oct 15, 2018 9:11:49 GMT -8
Thanks! I was doing more reading on the different types, I'll be purchasing a proportional brake controller soon.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 15, 2018 16:07:14 GMT -8
In the old days the brake controller has actuated by the hydraulic brake pressure, but in the modern world they are free standing (not plumbed into the vehicle brakes) and are actuated by a small pendulum weight after the brake lights come on and the stopping power is adjustable from inside the tow vehicle. This was a great safety improvement over the old style that you had to open the hood and change the tap point on the resisters to change the amount of brake application if the trailer weight changed.
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datac
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Post by datac on Oct 15, 2018 17:24:29 GMT -8
Interesting- the old brake controllers I remember weren't plumbed in, but mounted under the dash with a lever attached to the brake pedal. There was a control lever that moved with the pedal, or could be activated or adjusted separately. My earliest memory of one would have been in the late '60s in my grandfather's '62 Buick, towing at least a 24' Aljoa.
He was a travel trailer enthusiast after buying his first Aljoa in '52, and used to talk about the crowds it would draw, since such a thing was rarely seen on the road. He had a string of trailers, mostly Aljo/Aljoas, right up through his last 30' Aljo in the early '90s, but never owned a truck. Towing with cars was the rule in those days, and a proper braking system was not optional.
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Post by bigbill on Oct 16, 2018 14:45:04 GMT -8
Interesting- the old brake controllers I remember weren't plumbed in, but mounted under the dash with a lever attached to the brake pedal. There was a control lever that moved with the pedal, or could be activated or adjusted separately. My earliest memory of one would have been in the late '60s in my grandfather's '62 Buick, towing at least a 24' Aljoa. He was a travel trailer enthusiast after buying his first Aljoa in '52, and used to talk about the crowds it would draw, since such a thing was rarely seen on the road. He had a string of trailers, mostly Aljo/Aljoas, right up through his last 30' Aljo in the early '90s, but never owned a truck. Towing with cars was the rule in those days, and a proper braking system was not optional. I have never saw a controller that hooked to the pedal, they were plumbed into the brake lines and worked exactly as you described, plus you could activate the trailer brakes with the lever without hitting the vehicle brakes. This was done to help regain control from a bad sway. Trucks were miserable back then and vans weren't made yet so cars were the family choice to tow with.
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ozmo
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Peeling a fresh 59 Airflyte today.
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Shasta airflyte
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Post by ozmo on Oct 30, 2018 17:16:22 GMT -8
Hey, Just peeling a 59 Airflyte today. Brakes are later but saw this so... Recommend a good controller to put in my 2006 Toyota Sienna van for the Shasta. Brakes on my Rattrap were unknown by the previous owner so look like new. Not so much with the rest though LOL
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