Fishing line takes out brakes?

[LI Pets]

I put about 6,000 miles on the brakes since I repacked the bearings and did a cleanup etc.

So I figured I'd take a quick recheck before heading back from Fla to NY.

To my amazement one wheel had a lite coating of rust on the brake surfaces and magnet contact points inside the drum.

So I was running on three brakes, I found one of the two wires pulled out of the wire nut with a fishing line wraped around it.

Two things that need to be done; one solder all these connections, two put some type of wire lume protection over the dangling wires.

Ps: I don't even fish!

[overlander63]

Bob, it's good you found this, but I have a thought (always dangerous for me)...
Wouldn't it be better to be able to simply reattach a wire nut, than solder everything and maybe have the wires torn out of the magnet next time?

[Action]

I have wrapped mine with a short section of wire loom covering that I got at Auto Zone. I have left the connection be with the wire nut. I figured if the wires got tugged that bad, soldering isn't gonna keep them together either.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[flyfisher]

I just got back home the other day from a fishing trip in Florida. I know you're not going to believe this, but I hooked a monster that took all my line before "breaking" off. I swear the thing was over 30' long!

John

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by flyfisher

I just got back home the other day from a fishing trip in Florida. I know you're not going to believe this, but I hooked a monster that took all my line before "breaking" off. I swear the thing was over 30' long!

John

Fish, or trailer?

[thecatsandi]

Soldering could lead to premature wire breaking. The connection is too stiff. Use crimp style butt connectors.

[Excella CM]

You can use standard 4 pin flat trailer connectors. Remember to check brake function by checking for heat on each drum after you stop or use a remote thermometer. Cold drum = no brake.

[Lumatic]

My Sovereign is the only Airstream I have towed. When the brakes are applied (depending on the controller adjustement) I feel a distinct tug when the trailer brakes activate. The brakes are not strong enough to lock up the wheels. In the one or 2 panic stops I have made towing I can feel the trailer pushing the TV. Does this sound normal? Any way to check the brakes are working to spec?

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by flyfisher

I just got back home the other day from a fishing trip in Florida. I know you're not going to believe this, but I hooked a monster that took all my line before "breaking" off. I swear the thing was over 30' long!

John

Hi John, it's Rick. We were in the boat next to you and our captain swears it was closer to 31 feet! Too bad you lost it. Next time you may want to try a braided stainless steel leader.

As for the brake wires, I wouldn't solder them. Making any future emergency road repairs would then be impossible. Your chances of something like this happening are a lot less than getting hit by lightening. Good story though.

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by flyfisher

I just got back home the other day from a fishing trip in Florida. I know you're not going to believe this, but I hooked a monster that took all my line before "breaking" off. I swear the thing was over 30' long!

John

So this mess is your fault

[markdoane]

Rather than wire loom, try a section of rubber fuel line hose. You can anchor it with heavy metal clamps and it will never break.

[LI Pets]

I think the solder is better in two ways one the fishing line may have snapped first, two the electrical connection is far superior to a twist nut.

The electrical connections are probably corroded on soo many AS I bet people don't even know it

Rick said “As for the brake wires, I wouldn't solder them. Making any future emergency road repairs would then be impossible. Your chances of something like this happening are a lot less than getting hit by lightening.”

I could make a repair if it’s soldered just twist the wires or splice in a piece tape them until a more permanent fix can be done.

Michelle, I don’t see how soldering could lead to premature wire breaking. The connection is as stiff as the wire nut!

Using crimp style butt connectors is tough when the wire sizes vary as much as they do #16 and maybe# 10.

I'm going to solder all of them and put a hose over them or loom.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

I think the solder is better in two ways one the fishing line may have snapped first, two the electrical connection is far superior to a twist nut.

The electrical connections are probably corroded on soo many AS I bet people don't even know it

Rick said “As for the brake wires, I wouldn't solder them. Making any future emergency road repairs would then be impossible. Your chances of something like this happening are a lot less than getting hit by lightening.”

I could make a repair if it’s soldered just twist the wires or splice in a piece tape them until a more permanent fix can be done.

Michelle, I don’t see how soldering could lead to premature wire breaking. The connection is as stiff as the wire nut!

Using crimp style butt connectors is tough when the wire sizes vary as much as they do #16 and maybe# 10.

I'm going to solder all of them and put a hose over them or loom.

This tip is worth it's weight in gold. I use it constantly: when joining dissimilar wire sizes in a crimp connector, attach the large wire first in the appropriate size connector. Then strip a double length of the smaller wire, twist it, FOLD IT IN HALF, insert it into the connector and crimp. It takes up twice the space in the connector and will almost always hold as well as the larger wire.

Also, throw away those cheapie single action crimpers. They almost always over crimp or cut the crimp. I've had to replace so many done with these that I've lost count. It's just a few bucks more to get a really 'pro' style ratchet crimper that makes a perfect connection every time!!!

[dwightdi]

There are special wire nuts they use for well pumps. They are completely waterproof when assembled. They are filled with some kind of jell of some kind. You still need to secure the wiring up so it does not snag something when driving thru the field for a rally or boondocking.

[Action]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Rick said, “As for the brake wires, I wouldn't solder them. Making any future emergency road repairs would then be impossible."
Your chances of something like this happening are a lot less than getting hit by lightening.

- Or less than being damaged by road debris again. Hmmm.

Originally Posted by LI Pets

Michelle, I don’t see how soldering could lead to premature wire breaking. The connection is as stiff as the wire nut!

- In a properly soldered wire connection the wires are no longer flexible. If they do get flexed, they don't bend, they break.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[85MH325]

I dunno... how heavy was the fishing line? You've gotta give the fisherman a lot of credit... at least he was thinking big. How big of an Airstream can you land on 20lb test line?

Roger

[thecatsandi]

Your wire will no longer flex and will break at the ends of the solder connections. usually inside the insulation. My recomendation is based on what the FAA allows for aircraft wiring repair. use a butt connector. Much smoother and should pull apart before the wires break. If you want to seal them use marine butt connectors. They can be bought with heat shrink on each end to seal the connection.