No Trailer Brakes! Don't! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**uncle** · 06-09-2006, 09:49 PM

Things like this happen when you don't use them. So if you have them please hook them up. I've been using a trailer for 11 years without and this happened Friday. I've been watched for for those 11 years but I have my sign now. Sorry Joe, I know your gonna hate this almost as much as I did.

71swb4x4 · 06-09-2006, 09:51 PM

OUCH!! Thanks for posting, hopefully it saves a few trucks by waking some people up.

shaneschevys · 06-09-2006, 09:53 PM

Ouch!! At least every one was ok & the damage wasnt to bad.

Longhorn Man · 06-09-2006, 10:22 PM

Better look at that frame... I'll bet it is tweaked on the drivers rail.
While I agree trailer brakes are nice...esp on a 1/2 ton with the wuss brakes (70 and older anyways) I say they are overrated when you're dealing with a one ton.
Tow trucks don't have working brakes on the cars they are towing, and there was a billion or so assembled out of 67 - 72 trucks.

**uncle** · 06-09-2006, 10:27 PM

Ya it's tweaked just a little , but not much. I got 1 estimate today $2736 using aftermarket parts, paint and frame work. Yes you are correct, no one was hurt and that's the MOST important part. It doesn't look bad now, because we pulled alot of it out. Also cut bumper and fender off.

AesC10s · 06-10-2006, 02:06 AM

What happened?

72armyswbtruck · 06-10-2006, 04:22 AM

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!

72freak · 06-10-2006, 08:05 AM

I have had 2 such experiences. Both times I was driving my 1/2 ton 1987 Suburban with a car trailer (no brakes) with 67-72 long bed trucks on it. I didnt have an accident but it was close in both cases.
The first time I had to lock it down someone pulled out in front of me and then slammed on the brakes to stop at a yellow light. I ended up with 4 flat spotted new tires. The second time I slid through an intersection.

As we all know.....the goverment is like a bunch a women!!!!! About the time we figure out the rules...they change them again. In case you all are not aware of the laws about trailers........

In just about every state in the US...any trailer with a GVW over 3000 pounds MUST have brakes on EVERY AXLE, safety chains with clips to keep them from coming off and a brake away system. Pretty much this means most of us are breaking the law every time we hook a trialer to the truck.
In some states you need all the above on a trailer over 1500 pounds GVW.

**oldgold70c10** · 06-10-2006, 11:06 AM

That looks pretty nasty!! Glad you weren't hurt. Did it damage the core support too? Hate to see something happen like that to a nice truck.

**uncle** · 06-10-2006, 12:03 PM

I ran into the back of a PT CRUISER and only hit the right rear. Yes, the rad. support, inner and outer fender, hood, grill, bumper and mainly my pride. I think it totaled the Cruiser. Oh yeah, the driver was 14. THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS STILL FROM MY IGNORANCE. That's the reason for the post.

71chevytruckguy · 06-10-2006, 01:09 PM

sorry about your truck. always hurts more when you know its your fault and you could have prevented it. didn't know 14 year olds could drive in GA. chris.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle

I ran into the back of a PT CRUISER and only hit the right rear. Yes, the rad. support, inner and outer fender, hood, grill, bumper and mainly my pride. I think it totaled the Cruiser. Oh yeah, the driver was 14. THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS STILL FROM MY IGNORANCE. That's the reason for the post.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 06-10-2006, 03:15 PM

Ouch!!!!!! Sorry to hear about that. I put a trailer brake controller in my truck a long time ago, I never really used it but I think I will now!

72freak · 06-10-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle

I ran into the back of a PT CRUISER and only hit the right rear. Yes, the rad. support, inner and outer fender, hood, grill, bumper and mainly my pride. I think it totaled the Cruiser. Oh yeah, the driver was 14. THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS STILL FROM MY IGNORANCE. That's the reason for the post.

I am in the metro area also...where did it happen?

**uncle** · 06-10-2006, 06:37 PM

You can't legally, but it was still my fault. Insurance looks at it as car against car. It was in Commerce 72 FREAK.

JAKES 68GMC · 06-10-2006, 07:52 PM

Boy thats too bad about your truck. Looks like it was run in to a tree maybe? Anyway, glas everyones OK.

longhorn70gmc · 06-10-2006, 09:22 PM

Man,
That bumper was ripped good! I would have never thought that would have happened. Hope your truck is savable and goodluck,
Respectfully

67_C-30 · 06-10-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle

You can't legally, but it was still my fault. Insurance looks at it as car against car. It was in Commerce 72 FREAK.

Hate to see that uncle. Glad you're OK. I occasionally pull a car on my trailor (no brakes) with another car on my '69 car hauler, and I stay WAY back off anybody. Hopefully seeing something like will make me get off my butt and put a controller in my trucks. My trailor has electric brakes, I've just never hooked them up

71swb4x4 · 06-10-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn70gmc

Man,
That bumper was ripped good! I would have never thought that would have happened. Hope your truck is savable and goodluck,
Respectfully

He cut it like that

06-09-2006, 09:49 PM	#1
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Things like this happen when you don't use them. So if you have them please hook them up. I've been using a trailer for 11 years without and this happened Friday. I've been watched for for those 11 years but I have my sign now. Sorry Joe, I know your gonna hate this almost as much as I did. Attached Images

06-09-2006, 09:51 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! OUCH!! Thanks for posting, hopefully it saves a few trucks by waking some people up. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

06-09-2006, 09:53 PM	#3
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Ouch!! At least every one was ok & the damage wasnt to bad. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

06-09-2006, 10:22 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Better look at that frame... I'll bet it is tweaked on the drivers rail. While I agree trailer brakes are nice...esp on a 1/2 ton with the wuss brakes (70 and older anyways) I say they are overrated when you're dealing with a one ton. Tow trucks don't have working brakes on the cars they are towing, and there was a billion or so assembled out of 67 - 72 trucks.

06-09-2006, 10:27 PM	#5
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Ya it's tweaked just a little , but not much. I got 1 estimate today $2736 using aftermarket parts, paint and frame work. Yes you are correct, no one was hurt and that's the MOST important part. It doesn't look bad now, because we pulled alot of it out. Also cut bumper and fender off. Last edited by uncle; 06-09-2006 at 10:28 PM.

06-10-2006, 02:06 AM	#6
AesC10s Chevy truck addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Thornton Colorado Posts: 825	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! What happened?

06-10-2006, 04:22 AM	#7
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,034	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

06-10-2006, 08:05 AM	#8
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! I have had 2 such experiences. Both times I was driving my 1/2 ton 1987 Suburban with a car trailer (no brakes) with 67-72 long bed trucks on it. I didnt have an accident but it was close in both cases. The first time I had to lock it down someone pulled out in front of me and then slammed on the brakes to stop at a yellow light. I ended up with 4 flat spotted new tires. The second time I slid through an intersection. As we all know.....the goverment is like a bunch a women!!!!! About the time we figure out the rules...they change them again. In case you all are not aware of the laws about trailers........ In just about every state in the US...any trailer with a GVW over 3000 pounds MUST have brakes on EVERY AXLE, safety chains with clips to keep them from coming off and a brake away system. Pretty much this means most of us are breaking the law every time we hook a trialer to the truck. In some states you need all the above on a trailer over 1500 pounds GVW.

06-10-2006, 11:06 AM	#9
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! That looks pretty nasty!! Glad you weren't hurt. Did it damage the core support too? Hate to see something happen like that to a nice truck. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

06-10-2006, 12:03 PM	#10
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! I ran into the back of a PT CRUISER and only hit the right rear. Yes, the rad. support, inner and outer fender, hood, grill, bumper and mainly my pride. I think it totaled the Cruiser. Oh yeah, the driver was 14. THE WHOLE INCIDENT WAS STILL FROM MY IGNORANCE. That's the reason for the post.

06-10-2006, 03:15 PM	#12
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Ouch!!!!!! Sorry to hear about that. I put a trailer brake controller in my truck a long time ago, I never really used it but I think I will now! __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

06-10-2006, 06:37 PM	#14
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,286	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! You can't legally, but it was still my fault. Insurance looks at it as car against car. It was in Commerce 72 FREAK.

06-10-2006, 07:52 PM	#15
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,212	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Boy thats too bad about your truck. Looks like it was run in to a tree maybe? Anyway, glas everyones OK.

06-10-2006, 09:22 PM	#16
longhorn70gmc Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA Posts: 1,715	Re: No Trailer Brakes! Don't! Man, That bumper was ripped good! I would have never thought that would have happened. Hope your truck is savable and goodluck, Respectfully __________________ Billy 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! *I need another truck like I need another hole in the head!* I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.