Installing trailer air brake system

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rreidnauer, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. rreidnauer

    rreidnauer Bobtail Member

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    Mar 7, 2009
    Philadelphia
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    Hello all. I just bought a little truck ('91 Chevy Kodiak) equipped with air brakes, but has no provisions for trailer air brakes. I want to use it to move my backhoe on a dovetail trailer (which I've yet to buy) How involved would it be to install a trailer air brake system, or would it be smarter to just plan for an electric brake trailer?
     
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  3. broncrider

    broncrider Road Train Member

    electric would be easier....most of them already have it

    bigger problem is that kodiac GVW'd high enuff to pull the trailer and backhoe?
    better check.........all the ones i know of are only rated to 25,900 lbs, and a decent sized 'hoe is 20,00 lbs, it wont leave alot for the truck or trailer
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2009
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  4. rreidnauer

    rreidnauer Bobtail Member

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    Mar 7, 2009
    Philadelphia
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    The truck is 23,900 GVW. I figure the hoe is 12K, and a 9 ton trailer will probably come in around 5K. The truck itself is probably 12K, so yes, that's over it's GVW, but isn't GCWR always higher? (like my Dodge Cummins is 8,510 GVW but GCWR is 16,000) Granted, I don't currently know the Kodiak's GCWR, or if it's even accounted for.

    Oddly, the truck has a pintle, but no brake provisions. I don't mind installing an electric controller, but I've been finding several nice air brake equipped trailers that I have had to currently rule out.
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    You could install glad hands by the pintle hook but the cost for all parts would be prohibitive . You'd need more gauges , regulators and controls . You air tank would possibly have to be relaced with a larger unit . The output of your compressor also has to be considered . If you have the mechanical ability and can get parts from a salvage yard it may be doable .
     
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  6. rreidnauer

    rreidnauer Bobtail Member

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    Mar 7, 2009
    Philadelphia
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    Ah ha, yea, that's what I was suspecting. Just trying to determine proper capacities of tanks and compressors sounds a little too much like trial and error, and I don't want the error! BTW, I did note the truck is equipped with three air tanks, with the third one all the way behind the rear axle. I thought this to be unusual unless set up for a trailer, no?

    So anyhow, it looks like it's gonna be electric brakes then. i can live with that.
     
  7. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    I know what is going to happen for saying this but just get a gn trailer to pull that hoe behind the dodge. I have driven a kodiac and have pulled some heavy loads with my dodge and frankly I feel safer and can get the job done faster with my dodge. With that being said I don't need 50 people to post telling me how wrong this is because we have discussed this before on this board
     
  8. Don.B

    Don.B Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    Halifax, VA
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    I have a friend with an International that used to be a staight truck. The frame was reworked and a dump body installed. He has a 20k trailer with air breaks and wants to run air from the truck air system. The glad hands are allready installed. He has a dual system with a double actuater. I have a tractor protection valve. I came up with schematics. but can't figure out how to plumb it into the sytem to make it work. I drive a truck, but I can turn a mean wrench and fabricate (30 years as a millwright) I may need another resivoir tank, and a trailer inversion valve. I know I need a trailer air supply valve. I have allready disassembled and modified the dash and mounting bracket. What additional regulators would be needed?
     
  9. Bird//123

    Bird//123 Bobtail Member

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    May 9, 2019
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    OTR part number otr289714 you will need this trailer relay valve to supply your cans.
     
  10. MachoCyclone

    MachoCyclone Road Train Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Texas
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    I'm sure they figured it out 10 years ago.
     
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