On the topic of functional trailer brakes

Lowlysubaruguy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
514
A few posts down the question of how important good working trailer brakes are.
first my old boat the actuator failed every few years it was abuse I backed up a very steep tight driveway and often. Eventually I installed a reverse release and haven’t had a failure. My truck was way more than needed so I felt confident in its ability to stop.

today I will never feel confident if my trailer brakes are not spot on. I wrapped my day up with the desire to hug my boat trailer my truck and my wife. My wife for allowing me to own top notch equipment my truck for performing above and beyond any believable expectations and my more than needed triple axle and six brake trailer.

I have Absolutely zero doubt that no one died today because my gear performed flawless in an emergency situation.

I was headed west to the Oregon coast tuna and salmon fishing. I’m 9’6” wide 60 feet long Boat and truck together 22,000 pounds or more. 59 mph on a narrow Oregon highway through the cascades To Astoria. The single lane became two lanes at some point and I see a small Ford car in the left lane stopped turn signal on turning left across a busy stream of traffic. I look in my mirror and see a truck and a fairly large boat pulling along side me I’m doing exactly 59 he’s passing me fast probably over 70. I mentioned his lane has a stopped car turning left.

the oh **** factor is at least 50 ( I can say that right) I’m fortunate on many levels one I saw it unfolding another I’m a skilled driver pull large heavy trailers and have a tow truck. I know I cannot freak out and must control my vehicle. To the right is like three feet of rough shoulder then a steep grade off into the forest. I loose control its lights out. I manage to get on the brakes as he figures out he’s in trouble.

he’s know got most of his tires locked up and he’s swerving and drifting into my lane not really my lane More into my truck and boat I am slowing as fast as possible and now have six tires on the grass but am still in control he misses the car by inches and his outboard clears my fender by a couple of feet.

it was like it happened in slow motion. I’m picturing his truck scattering that ford and the people in it all over the highway while his boat leaves the trailer takes flight and the entire show making me jackknife as I leave the pavement and roll over into the trees.

for a fact any one thing including my trailer brakes having issues and I would probably not be on vacation people would have died and I’m about as sure of that as I can be. My brother in law was right behind me he saw what he could From behind me and through all the tire smoke there was a lot and he said I drifted right but my truck and trailer were in a straight line. I was steering right as much as I could without loosing control.

if you have brake issues fix them. WOW is only a three letter word but it’s still playing out in my head,
 

Toyelectroman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Messages
201
I have had my oh-sh!t moment couple of years ago pulling my then 24 foot pocket cruiser. Going down a two lane road about 45mph and some kid in a Monty carlo wanting to make a right hand turn into my lane starts pulling out. Had to turn a sharp left into the opposite lane to avoid hitting him. I think i turned so sharp that i swear i got the tandem axle trailer on two wheels.
 
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