Mechanical And Towing Systems Flashcards
⚡️Electric trailer brake operations
• Electrically energized magnets are attracted to the brake drum armature
• The rotating armature moves the actuating lever in the direction of drum rotation
• The cam block at the end of the lever forces the primary shoe against the brake drum.
• The primary shoe pushes against the secondary shoe, forcing it against the brake drum. ( servo breaking )
• Increasing the voltage to the magnet increases the force of the brake shoe against the drum
Disk brakes
• Brake pads mounted in the caliper are pushed against the sides of the rotor, creating friction
• Friction or drag slows the momentum of the trailer.
• Disk brakes are not as common on an RV trailer as drum brakes.
Drum brakes
• Brake linings are forced outwards against the brake drum, creating friction.
• Friction or drag slows the momentum of the trailer.
• Return Springs, pull the shoes away from the drum when braking pressure is released.
Brake types
• Drum brakes
• Disk brakes
Factors that govern friction.
• Type of material / composition of lining and drum.
• Temperature
• Amount of force applied
• Weight
• Speed
• Road conditions
• Tire conditions
What are frictional characteristics referred to as?
Coefficient of friction
2 types of friction are?
• Static friction
- Does not perform work
• Kinetic friction
- Does negative work
- Friction in motion
- Resistance to continued movement.
What principle causes brakes to work?
Friction
What are symptoms of improper alignment?
• Uneven or accelerated tire wear
• Worn components or overloading
What is wheel track?
• The ability for the trailer to follow directly in the same track as a tow vehicle.
Incorrect angles may be caused by_____.
Bent axles or loose wheel bearings
Recommended toe angle adjustment is _______.
⅛ inch positive
What does toe angle identify?
• The exact direction tires are pointed compared to the center line of the vehicle when viewed from directly above.
What is the recommended trailer axle camber adjustment?
⅜° positive
How is RV Axel camber adjusted?
• By controlled bending of the axle
What is camber?
• How far the tire slants away from vertical? When viewed directly from the front or back of the vehicle
• Negative when top tilts inward
• Positive when top leans away from center of vehicle
What is independent suspension?
• Independent suspension allows each wheel to move independently of other wheels.
What is non independent suspension?
• Wheels are attached to a solid axle.
• Bumps or movement at one side affects the opposing side
Slipper leaf springs
- Slipper leaf springs
• Eye is formed at one end of the main. leaf
• The eye is attached to the front hanger.
• The rear of the spring slides against the wear surface on the rear hanger or equalizer
Types of suspension
• Steel spring (leaf spring)
• Rubber spring (i.e., Timbren Industries Inc.)
• Rubber torsion (Independent suspension)
Types of rubber Spring.
• Rubber sheer - type springs.
• Straight line load deflection.
Double eye leaf spring.
• Eyes are formed at both ends of the main leaf
• When the spring becomes loaded, it lengthens.
• Double pivot action of the shackle allows the system to move freely
• Multiple axle installations, movement of the equalizer transfers loads evenly between the axles.
What’s determines spring rates?
• Spring widths
• Different rubber compounds.
What is a rubber torsion suspension system?
• Spindle is welded to a lever arm (torsion arm), which is attached to the torsion bar.
• Torsion bar is surrounded by rubber chords encased inside the main axel beam
• As the load is applied, the torsion bar rotates against the rubber chords
• Other than periodic inspection, no other suspension maintenance is required.