Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

Moderator: Mike Clay

Post Reply
Big Bird
Posts: 828
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 6:13 pm
Location: California La Crescenta
Cardinal Owners: 2018 Cardinal 3250
Location: California La Crescenta

Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by Big Bird »

I am somewhat new to RV'g and when I first looked at fifth wheels I was surprised that it did not come with a hand parking brake. It seems to me that it should be mandatory. Your car and truck have them; a motor home has them, why not on a FW?

I would like to know what others think about a hand parking brake.
Big Bird

Marv and Jackie
Rob & Cathy

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by Rob & Cathy »

But we do, they're called Roto-Chocks. :d

The only time I've seen hand brakes on trailers were on small utility trailers that you can move around by hand.

Rob
User avatar
bigbunkhouse
Posts: 1105
Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:40 pm
Location: Massachusetts North Reading
Cardinal Owners: 2007 362BHS
Location: Massachusetts North Reading

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by bigbunkhouse »

i learned that the european ones have to have them. Had never heard of one before, i think it may have been from this forum :wink:
2007 362bhs Cardinal (The mobile vacation home)
99 f350 4dr dually v-10 Lb 2wd 4.30 locker (Big Dually)
Dogs: Elvis and Priscilla
Me (Matt), Wifey (Jana), (Julia)14 year old daughter and ***SHYANNE*** born 8/12/10
bfast54

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by bfast54 »

Well, believe it or not, the main reason is ..................it is not required, because the trailer IS NOT self powered. :-B

On top of that, it would add a lot of cost, maint headaches, different systems by different manufactorers $-) (some of the rvs are built in small shops).....................on, and on. :-ss

Wheel chocks are the cheapest way, and then roto chocks, etc........... :d

Don't know if that answered your question, but there is the main reason. :thumbrt:
User avatar
Olbird
Council, Asst. Admin
Posts: 4185
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
Location: Washington, LaCenter

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by Olbird »

You can apply power to the blue wire on your trailer wiring plug and pull the pin on the break switch while parked but the electric breaks magnets will remain on all the time.
I do not know the life expectancy of them powered for extended times.
Wheel chocks is what all uses after parked and before you unhitch trailer.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
rpfan
Region Leader
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:50 pm
Location: New York Poughkeepsie
Cardinal Owners: 2009 3802BH (due in Nov13th!!) Have been enjoying ever since!!!
Location: New York Poughkeepsie

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by rpfan »

I have seen one on an older TT. Don't remember the brand. It was a cable system hooked to the front 2 wheels with a lever on the TT frame.
On edit, I have seen people pull the pin on the brakway only to have it over heat and melt.

Rich
Rich, Fern, Bethany & Justin
2005 F 450, CC, Duallie, 4wd, 25K Air Safe hitch, 100 Gal.aux. fuel tank.
2009 3802 BH LX Edition, 5 slide
Leave no roller coaster unridden!
User avatar
pops91710
Posts: 180
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:31 am
Location: California Chino
Cardinal Owners: 2006 30 WB LE
Location: California Chino

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by pops91710 »

Olbird wrote:You can apply power to the blue wire on your trailer wiring plug and pull the pin on the break switch while parked but the electric breaks magnets will remain on all the time.
I do not know the life expectancy of them powered for extended times.
Wheel chocks is what all uses after parked and before you unhitch trailer.
Actually, energizing the 'magnets' won't do anything at all unless the drums are turning. The drums turning cause the energized magnets to swing in the direct of the wheel spin and cam open the brake shoes. You would have to apply the brakes while in forward motion, and then never let them off the whole time it is unhitched. Not sure any battery could last that long! Once the mags de-energize, the brakes would release.
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4885424_do ... work_.html
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
User avatar
Traveler II
exempt member
Posts: 3082
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:25 pm
Location: Minnesota Lindstrom
Cardinal Owners: 2008 30 TS
Skype ID: User name: janestonge46 (iChat only)
Skype name: jane-stonge
Location: Minnesota Lindstrom

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by Traveler II »

What about a system based on air, like what is in a pusher motor home? The air compressor could be powered by the truck and the air could be used to:

run air brakes
air suspension
fill tires
air hitch
run slides

Maybe an idea for a new business for the RV industry.
Jim & Jane
2014 Ford 350 King Ranch, Trailer Saver BD3 Air Hitch, IS Suspension, Disk Brakes
Nights camped in 2012: 142
Nights camped in 2013: 186
Nights camped in 2014: 185
Nights camped in 2015: 232
Nights camped in 2016: 165
bfast54

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by bfast54 »

Bad idea Jim, ...................because , a Recreational C.D.L., with Air brake endorsement , Haz. mat endorsment (holding tanks) Duobles( rec doubles) etc.................... would be a great way for the Govt. to stick it's nose further into our lives. :)) :)) ................Sad thing, not too far off, not too funny for Calif. people. X(
User avatar
pops91710
Posts: 180
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:31 am
Location: California Chino
Cardinal Owners: 2006 30 WB LE
Location: California Chino

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by pops91710 »

I believe there are hydraulic disk brakes out there for some RV type trailers. It sems I read somewhere (Trailer Life?) they operate off of an electric pump motor. I have never seen any manufacturer offer them. I heard they were prohibitively expensive. Like about a $5K option! And that was a few years back. I am not saying that you can lock hydraulics for extended periods of time, however. I think they would eventually bleed down, otherwise my truck with four wheel disk brakes would not need to have a separate mechanical system independent of the hydraulics. http://blog.easternmarine.com/hydraulic ... -trailers/
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
rpfan
Region Leader
Posts: 583
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:50 pm
Location: New York Poughkeepsie
Cardinal Owners: 2009 3802BH (due in Nov13th!!) Have been enjoying ever since!!!
Location: New York Poughkeepsie

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by rpfan »

I was at an RV trade show the past 2 days. Lippert is coming out with a "bolt on" cable operated hand brake for trailers. It will not, as of now be offered by the manufactures because cost to them. It will be offered as an aftermarket add on.

Rich
Rich, Fern, Bethany & Justin
2005 F 450, CC, Duallie, 4wd, 25K Air Safe hitch, 100 Gal.aux. fuel tank.
2009 3802 BH LX Edition, 5 slide
Leave no roller coaster unridden!
User avatar
TexasBBQ
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 6:59 am
Location: Texas Dallas
Cardinal Owners: 2004 Cardinal 33CKT
Location: Texas Dallas

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by TexasBBQ »

Nice little intro video on electric brakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrmU8UMD ... =endscreen
----------------
2004 Cardinal 33CKT
F250 Super Duty CCab 4x4
bfast54

Re: Hand parking brake for fifth wheels

Post by bfast54 »

rpfan wrote:I was at an RV trade show the past 2 days. Lippert is coming out with a "bolt on" cable operated hand brake for trailers. It will not, as of now be offered by the manufactures because cost to them. It will be offered as an aftermarket add on.

Rich
Rich, it sounds interesting.............but, watch for " Cracks in the actuator cable " =)) =)) ...(I.E. Lippert)
Post Reply