Poooooop! Brakes burnt out, now no house power!???

[frickinducky]

Got pushed by a semi on an 8% grade, so smoking brakes. After pulling over, we now have no house power. Any ideas? Can't find anything in owners manual or online.

 

[frickinducky]

Never mind. Seems to be okay now that everything is cooled down. Now I have to find a good place to check what damage may have been done.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Im glad you are ok <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Les H]

Those two systems ( brakes and house battery) should be in no way connected. Hopefully no major damage.

 

[highdesertranger]

what type of&nbsp;vehicle.&nbsp; like les stated the 2 systems should not be connected.&nbsp; wow 8% grade with a semi on it not many of those around.&nbsp; I take it the was nowhere to pull off the highway to get out of the a$$holes way?&nbsp; glad your ok.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Maybe a wire is lose and disconnected or something from the angle/jostling/braking.&nbsp;

 

[Zil]

Yea! brakes and house battery should not have any connection. Be sure to inspect your electrical power system

 

[Spirituallifetime]

<p>If your brakes got that hot they may need to be replaced, brakes can get glazed over and will not be as effective for stopping. On a steep grade like that large vehicles should not be over 25 mph, at this speed the brakes wont get to hot (manually shift your automatic transmission to 2nd and&nbsp;use the brakes lightly). Don't let the other vehicles behind you force you to go faster, getting the brakes that hot can result in a vehicle that is out of control and racing down hill at high speeds and no brakes at all to slow down or stop (and the brakes can be set on fire burning the vehicle to the ground). This is how semi trucks wreck on hills they can't slow down for a curve in the road and run of the road or roll over! I drive semi trucks with&nbsp;2 trailers at 129,000 lbs for many years.</p>

 

[Kevin H]

Glad all is OK. &nbsp;As an old trucker - don't let the 'cowboys' intimidate you. &nbsp;Also, a good rule of thumb is to go down no faster than you went up.<br><br>If a truck ever does get too pushy, pull over and let him by - get any numbers and names off the truck or trailer. &nbsp;Call the company and report the truck info, date and location. &nbsp;Believe me, those companies do not want lawsuits.<br><br>Remember, speed limits are just that - limits. &nbsp;You do not have to drive at the limit, but do drive at a reasonable speed.

 

[frickinducky]

Bringing her in for new brakes. There is a squeek i didnt have before. just hope calipers are okay. I didn't think they were connected, but when the brakes cooled, things began to work. The step still doesn't. Kinda sucks as I am a cane user . This was on 30 in Pa. There really wasn't any area to pull over except the emergency offs. Lots of twists and turns. i have never had a trucker ride me like that. Not even flowers. To top it off, he was driving erratic, so it felt totally unsafe. Either he was tired, amped or wicked late.

 

[RV-Kitty]

<p><span id="post_message_1277878029">To: Frickin<br><br>You said, "There really wasn't any area to pull over except the emergency offs."</span></p><p><span id="post_message_1277878029"><strong><span style="color: #003366;">Then use one of them. That's what they're there for. It sounds like the trucker had "issues." </span></strong><br></span></p>

 

[rokguy]

<SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><EM>Despite what people think, most semi's have much better braking systems.</EM></SPAN><BR><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888"><EM>Weather they are right or wrong, I will always jump on the C.B and make my intentions clear with them that I will slow and let them pass at the first safe opportunity,&nbsp;I figure they're on the road earning a living, I'm in no hurry. Trucks keep the country moving. "Keep on truckin"<BR><BR>Glad your OK. <BR>Geoff</EM></SPAN>

 

[frickinducky]

We need to get a cb, and yes, in retrospect, I should have used the turn offs. I panicked. I could have made the turn with him on my bumper and have been safer. Still new at this. A total rookie mistake on my part. Brakes get fixed Tuesday. Just glad we are in a flat area for two weeks. Not looking forward to the bill, but I guess that is the cost of lesson learned.