Parking brake activator

Has anyone used one of the electric parking brake actuator kits? I saw them on speedway. They are pricey, but I really don’t want to install a handle in the cab if I can find a work around. I suppose I could go scrounging at the bone yard or eBay for a smaller handle but I prefer not to clutter the tub up. I have worked hard to keep it clean and uncluttered.

 

What I've read: Electronic park brakes can have a tendency to stick, especially if they’re not used for some time. If you park your vehicle up with the electronic park brake on and you don’t go back to it for a few days or longer, you can find that it won’t disengage when you try to drive away. Most of the time, it will eventually disengage by applying more revs, but that can be risky if you have a vehicle parked close in front of you.

Read more at . . . Electric vs Manual Parking Brake: Which is Best? – Car Buying and Selling

 

Pretty pricy at $400.!

Speedway Power Remote-Mount Electric Emergency Brake Kit

 

Very pricey for what it is.

 

Just a random thought, but could you use a Line Lock as an e-brake?

 

Yes, . . . for a while . . . . .

Until your battery goes dead. . . . .

 

Some of our equipment had manual (lever locks) line locks. They worked well but with the constant motion the equipment had to have, it was hard on wheel cylinders. Now these were not for emergency stopping, just to use for parking.

 

Yes, but it is dependent on battery power. I have one on my old wrecker that is a lever lock and it locks all four wheels. I have thought about something similar. I just didn’t incorporate provisions for the brake handle when I redesigned the interior. I have room next to the shifter. Just evaluating options.

 

The only thing about a Parking Brake Activator is it's all or nothing. I've thought many
times and even practiced reaching for and using my emergency brake lever when the
hydraulic system failed. I will have some control over the amount of braking. If it's a
simple stop light, then it will be easy. But if it involves approaching a turn, then any
control over the amount of braking force will be advantageous.

Now my emergency brake is only the left rear wheel.

Notice the brake level is up against the left side of the body and my tummy seems to
be a problem. But when faced with a collision I'm thinking I can overcome.

 

I agree. I have had to rely on e brakes before when a mc failed so that is a definite realistic point. I made both doors function and am utilizing the seat riser for a glove compartment under the driver seat, and the radio is in the center, leaving the passenger side blank due to the battery box underneath so the only place it would work where I could access it would be to the right of the shifter, which puts it in the passenger compartment because I used a corvette offset shifter, which places the stick basically to the right side of the tail shaft, to gain legroom for the driver. It’s doable and likely where it will end up. Another thing about line lock type parking brakes is it depends on the hydraulic system being and remaining leak free. A very small, otherwise unnoticeable leak, would render it worthless after sitting a while. I prefer a mechanical e brake system as a back up as well as parking brake. I have a chrome aftermarket e brake handle but it is pretty long and really looks out of proportion in my bucket... I know, I’m being overly picky but after all of the work and design that I have invested, it will haunt me forever, lol! I have seen some others, Choppin, I think, with shorter handles (no pun intended), that might be a acceptable resolve. I need to go bone yard surfing. Not fun in the winter. When I was designing and rebuilding, I simply neglected to incorporate provisions for it.

 

With the floor in place, the lever, when in its off position, sits in the side well; below the level of everything else. You can see the floor level by the 'flange' on the side of the bucket in the last picture. Second one show how much is sticking through the seat riser. Its not in the way at all once, off and can be pulled in an emergency by sliding my L Hand down the side of the bucket.

Uses an after market Mini stainless steel lever and a Morris 1000 cable.

 

Nice. Placement is not an option for my situation but that is the size that would work.

 

When you develop your Emergency brake system Don't use your service brakes system apply the the force on the friction Material.
WHY? The service brake seals and o-rings have been engineered to have limited duty cycle. They were developed to engage, apply and maintain pressure for short durations of time, then relax to a state of readiness for the next cycle. When they are put under constant force, for long periods of time they can become compromised into a condition that will allow "blow by". Keep your service brakes sacred and separate. It was a DOT/NHTSA directive when I was still in foundation brakes at Kelsey in early 90's. YES, Some of the Large trucks have line locks for emergency and parking purposes They are of different internal design.

 

Thanks for your input. I totally agree. For short term uses, such as pulling a car out of a ditch, etc, as with my old wrecker, I see no real issue and have used it for near thirty years, but for long term, like parking, I would not trust it. I didn’t consider the possibility of weakening the components, but it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to worry about the system depressurizing. There are many possible sources for a slight leak which would be undetectable under normal operation but could allow failure in a sustained static state. The cable e brakes on the wrecker just do not apply enough pressure to hold it, especially if using the winch. The line lock system works exceptionally well... like anchors. I am still weary of the possibility of them letting go as it is an old truck. Even though I maintain it and the mechanicals are in top shape, I use wheel chocks just in case. I have pretty much conceded to using a hand lever activated cable parking brake setup on the bucket. I still need to go digging in the bone yard for a suitable lever, but if I find a small one (short) it should fit in front of my shifter, to the right of the tail shaft, without over crowding the passenger compartment and still be somewhat ergonomic, or at least useable. In all honesty, there will rarely be a passenger unless my pooch rides along, but I try to make things as practical and user friendly as possible. I see that you are a “new member”, welcome to the club! Everyone’s feedback is valuable.

 

Mine is a aftermarket s/steel version f the old mini one. Smallest I could find at the time..

classic mini handbrake lever | eBay