Your T/T is loaded to around 80,000 in most cases, you have 5 sets of axle brakes to stop or slow down that load. Using JUST TWO of those FIVE sets of axle brakes will enviably cook the brakes that are engaged much quicker than using ALL of your brakes.

To be honest(and I know I will probably get some s*hit on here for it) but every once in a while if I am STOPPED on a gravel,sand, or dirt surface, and I want to make sure all my trailer brakes are working together I will get up to about 3-5 MPH and pull the trailer brakes on, for a SECOND, and then get out and check my "pattern".

I doubt anybody else does this, just a habit started because our trailers run those #### 17.5 small diameter brakes and are known to be hard to keep in adjustment. JMO

Stan

Seriously though, can it cook the brakes?, let's leave drifting aside I have a straight job tandem axle
Not riding on the lever but just using it a few seconds at a time? Is this possible? I mean its worked the same way the pedal does just without the steers.. Anyone please?

I would think that at speed it would be REAL easy to lock up that rear axle, the hand brake, (to me anyway) doesn't have a "good" feel to it. Not like a foot pedal anyways, probably different valving, but I am GUESSING on that. Someone else on here can probably give you a better answer.

I guess my question to you would be WHY???

Originally Posted by fredrd

Never had one of those, I really need your help, will it cook the brakes? Honestly

dude really dont use it to stop, you will flat spot tires or worse jack knife if the roads are wet and you have any speed built up. and yes you can cook the brakes if you use it for any length of time. it would be a rookie move period!

I don't use it, I'm just trying to figure out if it could have been stuck because the rear brakes cooked on a truck with 10,000 miles that I barely ever use the break on, I have no other explanation the truck is brand new

IF it was stuck on you would have air leak and I would think that you would notice or smell your brakes and hubs. I never say never, but I doubt it.

Trolley Brakes were never designed to stop a truck ! They are to be used only for a tug test and to adjust tandems. And yes you will cook your brakes , I see many people fly by me going down steep grades and you can see what they are doing by the smoke coming out from the trailer. The smell is nothing to be desired either ! Best thing is always keep a safe distance while driving ,therefore not having to cause a serious problem with yourself or others. You did not state if you have or use your Jake Brake , shifting down 1 gear on a steep grade with the jake on will slow you down too, again maintaining a proper speed for circumstance is always the best. Of course try not to use the jake in municipalities where its not allowed . I am against these laws as a jake does have many safety benefits and in my opinion don't think it should be against the law especially if you are hauling close to gross or have over weight permits.

Thank you everyone for your replies… The brakes ended up being fine. I guess they were hot and I was caught in a terrible storm and their was so much water that it drowned the braked so they smoked when the storm stopped