Re: [VAC] Bubble update

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard,
 I really think I'd rather my trailer brakes NOT come on as long as it's
attached to my tow vehicle with the safety chains. There's little
likelyhood of a disaster from the trailer banging into the tow vehicle,
IMO, just some cosmetic damage. If the chains break, that's the time for
the breakaway switch to do its thing.

While we're on the subject: Most Vintage A/Ss, mine included, have what
I consider vastly undersized safety chains. Mine had 1/4" chain
(diameter of the link material), and a bent 5/16" 'S' hook to attach it
to the hitch. While fooling around in my drive, I hitched it to the
truck and didn't get the hitch down onto the ball, then pulled the truck
forward. The tounge dropped down, the breakaway switch did its thing,
and the 'S' hooks straightened out, leaving the trailer sit on the jack.

Several Good Things were evident:

1. No one was looking, so I was able to lift the tounge with the
forklift and get everything squared away with no embarrasment.

2. I learned that the breakaway stuff really does work.

3. I learned that those simple, bent (not forged) hooks were totally
inadaquet.

4. It became evident that the safety chains were also inadaquet.

So, when I built a new 'A' frame, I used 5/16" chain and forged hooks.
My breakaway switch has a sash chain on it that's long enough to NOT
trigger the brakes as long as the trailer is still attached to my truck.
It'll stay that way until someone convinces me otherwise.

Everyone should look at their safety chains and ask themselves if they
think they're up to the job.

                                            <<Jim>>



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