M1101 Breakaway Brake

[mgFray]

I'm new to heavy trailers, and military trailers. I recently got an M1101, and I'm slowly trying to understand all of the safety features and make sure everything is working as expected.

It's a 2010 Silver Eagle M1101.

How difficult should it be to pull the breakaway brake cable and activate it? I tried just pulling on it by hand, and nothing moved. The breakaway lever appears to have notch in it and the notch is trapped in the spring. (Looking at pictures of OTHER trailers, this seems completely normal, but I expected the breakaway to move.)

How much force should this take? And am I risking damaging anything by trying to verify it's working?

(Regular manual brake levers are working, and the tongue brake seems to be working fine based on driving it home.)

 

[flyfishtrailer]

Have you also checked the brake fluid? Keep in mind the military uses DOT 5 so if its low make sure and get the correct fluid or drain the whole system and put in what you want. I have never actually tried to use the break away lever on mine as my brakes work as they should. Post some pictures if you have them.

 

[em2b96p]

I also just got a trailer and was wondering the same thing. I drove my trailer 7 hrs in this position because I didn't know anything about this breakaway system.

Today I replaced the brake fluid with DOT5 purple stuff. I read the TM and it tells you to pull on the breakaway cable until the breakaway lever is in the locked position secured by the leaf spring (This is where mine currently is and how I bought it). Then later it tells you to disengage the breakaway lever from leaf spring.

How do you do this? I've tried pushing on the leaf spring towards the rear with a flathead to get it out of the notch and it's really tough. I don't want to break anything.

Also, how much brake fluid am I supposed to put in? I don't see a full or low mark anywhere in the reservoir.