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03-04-2017, 10:03 PM
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#61
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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OK, now that we've covered the antenna part a couple of thoughts on security.
I put some faith in my alarm system for folks breaking into my trailer and I live in a good area where many neighbors know me and my trailer and it's in an anything but secluded location so I'm not too worried about it being stolen when we're away without it.
If I was, I'd slide under it with my brake adjusting tool and flick the setting up hard. Trying to pull a trailer with 4 locked brakes would slow down even the most determined thief and it's no big deal to back them off later. Even if the thief tried some problem solving they'd probably think it was the fault of the break away switch.
Ron
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03-04-2017, 10:55 PM
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#62
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Area 51, New Mexico
Trailer: pondering.....
Posts: 728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin
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that chain seems like a good idea...versus some of the other schemes when on the road versus in storage.. should slow down the casual thief. This campers full size spare is locked under the truck in a similar manner and might get a lock keyed the same if possible for the chain thru the rim idea.
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03-05-2017, 08:16 AM
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#63
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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A big thing with the chain or any wheel retarder is it's visibility. And like my lock-guy told me, any lock can be picked or cut so you don't want to make that process simple or easy.
I don't know anything about that brake adjusting flick-setting, Ron. It sounds like an excellent move--giving me lots of blue lights. My bones and torso muscles are still hurting from wiggling an aircraft carrier-sized body I got under the trailer yesterday to lock on my chain, so before I drag it under there again, how about a more specific how-to, maybe a picture, on this step. Huh?
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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03-05-2017, 09:31 AM
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#64
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Myron, It is usually done while the vehicle is on a lift or jacked up, so it might take some "wiggling" under the camper until you figure it out, then a little reaching should do. That and having work around the outside steps mount, sew lines, mud flaps, etc., etc. Now that I think of it, it's kind of a pain...
https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/...ing-the-brakes
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03-05-2017, 12:53 PM
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#65
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by War Eagle
Myron, It is usually done while the vehicle is on a lift or jacked up, so it might take some "wiggling" under the camper until you figure it out, then a little reaching should do. That and having work around the outside steps mount, sew lines, mud flaps, etc., etc. Now that I think of it, it's kind of a pain...
https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/...ing-the-brakes
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In Myron's case I agree. He's a large guy. I, by comparison, can slide under the trailer, even under the stairs, without too much difficulty. But more importantly, I've been adjusting brakes since before I could drive. But I think that it's a skill that any trailer owner would find handy and once you've tried it a few times, very easy to do.
A blade screwdriver works fine. This is my ancient brake adjusting tool. The small clock is for size comparison. Lee Valley just replaced it. Apparently it didn't like the rough Baja roads.
If I did lock up my brakes I'd also add a visual deterrent. I like the thought of the thief, after cutting the chain etc. and figuring out he was now home free, having the door slam shut in his face with the locked up wheels.
Ron
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03-05-2017, 01:03 PM
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#66
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Hi: Ron in BC... Could an owner just pull out the Breakaway pin and keep it in his pocket? My trailer wouldn't move when I pinched the wire in the slider hitch roller and pulled the pin out!!!
Our King Jack antenna worked flawlessly while away... that is until the "Fly boys" at Pensacola Naval Air Stn. got in the signals. Pixelated to pieces. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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03-05-2017, 01:10 PM
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#67
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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That'll kill the battery.
Yah, my old satellite system would do the same for weather. When a storm and heavy rain was coming in from the SE, but not yet at my house, the tv picture would pixelate and I'd know heavy rain was coming.
Ron
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03-05-2017, 02:12 PM
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#68
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
... Could an owner just pull out the Breakaway pin and keep it in his pocket?
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Strong second to what Ron said. If you pull out your trailer's breakaway pin, your on-board battery will be constantly applying the electric breaks until the battery dies. Kind of like holding the horn button down on a parked car without the engine running until the horn runs the battery down to dead. Well, kind of like that, but much quieter.
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03-05-2017, 02:20 PM
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#69
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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This looks scary to me. War Eagle, Ron.........At the moment I'm not ready to get under there and be adjusting brake drum screws. Need time to digest this.
Wait a minute. Pulling out the breakaway pin kills the battery? I'm looking at it and don't see how that pin comes out.
What if you do it (but how??) and so that jams on the brakes?... and if so why not then simply disconnect the battery? Or, do the brakes need the battery, in order to jam the wheels to a stop (?).
This is a learning curve for me.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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03-05-2017, 02:24 PM
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#70
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
Wait a minute. Pulling out the breakaway pin kills the battery? What if you do it and then disconnect the battery?
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Then the brakes will release.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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03-05-2017, 02:28 PM
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#71
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
Then the brakes will release.
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Hi: Jim Bennett... Sounds like a "Catch 22". Would the solar panel be able to negate the battery drain or should I just buy a chain and lock? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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03-05-2017, 02:46 PM
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#72
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: Jim Bennett... Sounds like a "Catch 22". Would the solar panel be able to negate the battery drain or should I just buy a chain and lock? Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Sorry Alf, but you are going to have to do the math.
If the supplied amperage from the panel(s) is enough to keep the solenoids activated, then you are good to go.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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03-05-2017, 02:55 PM
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#73
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
Pulling out the breakaway pin kills the battery? I'm looking at it and don't see how that pin comes out.
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It just pulls out... with significant force. If the trailer breaks away (the hitch fails), the steel cable attached to the breakaway switch pulls out the pin, so just look at how janking the cable forward (from the trailer) would pull the pin and you'll see how you would have to pull it. But don't pull it unless you are ready to put it back in to avoid discharging the battery.
Once the pin is out, the brakes are connected to the battery at full power, which takes about 3 amps per brake (so 6 or 12 amps for a single or tandem axle trailer). That kills a single Escape battery in a few hours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
Or, do the brakes need the battery, in order to jam the wheels to a stop (?).
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Yes. The way trailer brakes work, they don't apply any braking force unless current is flowing through the electromagnet (coil) in the brake assembly (and the wheel is turning or trying to turn). It's not like a parking brake that stays on without power or motion.
There are parking brakes for trailers that work just like traditional cable-operated parking brakes in cars, but almost nobody buys them in North America.
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03-05-2017, 03:00 PM
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#74
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Would the solar panel be able to negate the battery drain or should I just buy a chain and lock?
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At 12 amps continuously for a tandem-axle trailer, 24 hours a day, that would take a very substantial solar system - panels rated for 800 watts might do it in good summer conditions, but typically much more would be required. I suggest a lock and chain.
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03-05-2017, 03:02 PM
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#75
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
This looks scary to me. War Eagle, Ron.........At the moment I'm not ready to get under there and be adjusting brake drum screws. Need time to digest this.
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Good idea not to try it when you don't feel prepared. But it's handy to be able to adjust your brakes. If I was doing mine as a security measure I'd just do it with the wheels on the ground and probably, when I return, just back them off without raising the wheel. But I've a pretty good feel for how much I usually back them off from the tightened position.
But next time you have a wheel raised, by jacking or driving the other one up on a block, try spinning the wheel. Listen and feel if there's contact with a brake shoe. Try a couple of flicks on the adjuster. You won't harm anything and it's nice to be able to have your brakes set-up so that the shoe makes contact sooner than later. If you haven't managed to try it by Q'site next year, after we've chased those elusive TV signals I'll give you a demo.
Ron
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03-05-2017, 03:04 PM
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#76
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
At 12 amps continuously for a tandem-axle trailer, 24 hours a day, that would take a very substantial solar system - panels rated for 800 watts might do it in good summer conditions, but typically much more would be required. I suggest a lock and chain.
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Also, even if you could there's the matter of should you? I'd wonder about the heat build-up of a continuously on solenoid.
Ron
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03-05-2017, 03:15 PM
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#77
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Why not make it easier on yourshelf , get the California's wheel Immobilizer for about 195 that Rossue suggested . Or cheaper a grip wheel lock , about 90 with a set of chrome wheel locks , 20 so they can't remove your wheel . Could concrete a chain in the ground to wrap your rear axle . On the front of hitch "the Vault " about 180 .Also called Mega Hitch , about 215.. Pat
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03-05-2017, 03:16 PM
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#78
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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Doggone, man, you guys are good!
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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03-05-2017, 04:08 PM
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#79
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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With the tow vehicle hitched, the umbilical cord disconnected, it is good to pull the breakaway pin, and try pulling the trailer. The brakes should be locked. If not most likely their is a problem with the circuit. This is super easy to do, I do it a few times a year.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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03-05-2017, 04:11 PM
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#80
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I thought it was not a good idea to pull the breakaway switch with the electrics to the tow vehicle connected, that it could damage the brake controller.
You could still have it hitched and try to pull as long as you don't have the 7-pin hooked up.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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