mindless_snail: This is one of those things that seems like basic trailer hauling 101 stuff, but it’s easy to forget when you’ve been doing it for a while. When you test the brakes 100 times and they always work great, then you’re in a hurry on one trip and skip it… that’s when the bad shit will happen.
I can get forgetful when I’m stressed out, so I have checklists for everything and I have my wife hold the checklist and check things off for me. It makes it harder for me to just skip shit or assume something is working without testing it.
likes2bwrong: I am trying to learn about rving from this sub and don’t know what this means… can elaborate please? Thx
1320Fastback: I test mine within the first 5′ every time I tow. Usually on the way out the driveway or RV Park.
NEHOG: Here is a hint: on many rigs the four way flashers trigger your trailer brakes. Two things, actually:
1. Don’t activate your four ways without turning off (or down as close to zero) your brake controller.
1. You can check to see if your brakes are activating by turning on your four ways and standing next to the tires on the trailer–they’ll buzz whenever the lights flash on!
andrewse: Two failures here really. I always test that the trailer plug is locked into the socket on the truck. A bent pin would cause it not to lock. I also test the trailer brakes within my first 10′ of travel.
Glad you lived to tell the tale.