Manual brake stick for hitch hauling

Harbor

Harbor

Location
Stockton
Iam new to hitch hauling and a buddy told me bed launching and hitch haulers are not allowed in disco bay. Co-worker told
Me (the reason why is trucks are backed in so far that the rear tires Loose traction to the ramp at times and the whole rig goes in the water.). E-brake's and park pawls hold rear tires from rotating but if the tires Loose traction to the ramp then in the lake you go.

I don't want to be that guy so I looked into launch control devises used n drag racing to do burn outs, soliniod blocks front brake pressure from returning to master cylinder, locking only front brakes until released. After consideration on my street truck this method posed to many risks, all I need is the circuit to malfunction and get blocked on a long step grade when Iam loaded and it's lights out.

Also considered the sticks that hook the steering wheel but if rear tires leave the ramp and the winds blowing the truck could move sideways releasing the brake stick so that's out...

So I came up with this stick, it applies full hydrolic brake pressure manually. Will hold truck in gear with no e-brake applied. Once I've backed in with my foot still on the brake I install the brake stick. I slotted the knee bolster panel below the steering column to hook it too. Little bit of turf to help find the slot lol. Works great. Later model
Vehicles can have knee air bags in that panel so be careful.

That deep second deep spot didn't applie enough pressure to hold truck in gear so made a shollower one so I have options

Edit: removed a cause
LHS

IMG_5717.JPGIMG_5719.JPGIMG_5722.PNGIMG_5720.JPG
 
Last edited:
OCD Solutions

OCD Solutions

Original, Clean and Dependable Solutions
Location
Rentz, GA
Interesting idea. I had a line lock in one of my first trucks for doing smoke shows, never really thought there was any risk of it locking on me though.
Mine was a manual activation type that we installed in our tow trucks at the time.
 
Harbor

Harbor

Location
Stockton
I have 4 wheel anti lock brakes, just didn't seem worth it going thru the hastle and time to tap into it for a manual or electric set up plus the liability side.
I think the way you did it is more trick though, just more involved than works fir me right now
 
Twinstick

Twinstick

Location
In the wind
Lumpy said:
Im having a really hard time buying this tires floating the back of your truck nonsense. If that were the case, every boat trailer would float as soon as it gets in the water. I'd tell your buddy to quit smoking his toenails.
Click to expand...

I would think if a big enough wave/wake hit the underside of the bed it could lift a light truck. Not the tires floating it, but the upward pressure of the wave hitting the large flat surface of the underside of the bed. That's the only thing I could think would be dangerous. If tires could float a car, they'd all be amphibious. :)
 
x2mafia

x2mafia

Maximum effort
Location
WA
Goggle brake pedal depressor. Common mechanics tool, I have a few variants of it. The one that hooks onto the steering wheel is nice. Quick and easy to set and release.

Or 4x4, brake set, park (auto) 1st gear (manual) and shut it off. But if your exhaust is in the water leave it running for good measure.
 
TheBuzzard

TheBuzzard

Location
the jetski grave yard
if you ever worked on cars doing wheel alignments, there is the tool to keep the brakes applied while you do the alignment. its just a long round rod with another flat piece with a hole that the rod goes thru. it binds on the rod and wont slip. fully adjustable and the flat piece pushes on the seat below the steering wheel.
 
Harbor

Harbor

Location
Stockton
Lumpy said:
Im having a really hard time buying this tires floating the back of your truck nonsense. If that were the case, every boat trailer would float as soon as it gets in the water. I'd tell your buddy to quit smoking his toenails.
Click to expand...

Thanks lumpy. Yes I agree, only a Bouncy idea as a cause is far reaching. I edited that out.

I talked with my co-worked again this AM and Orwood also does not allow it. he's sees it happen 2 or more times each year. These trucks without trailers are backing in so far and loosing traction to the ramp with the rear tires and going in the lake.

We discused it, maybe slimy lower on the ramp where a tow vehicle tires normally wouldn't be, plus the air in the rear tires and the spare, plus any possible water displacement from the bed of the truck (if possible) plus whatever else, could all be factors to lessen the traction between the tire and ramp. Plus a dumb ass driver..

He said he's see ford trucks going in a lot

At any rate I won't be going in with all these brake stick lol :)
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Harbor

Harbor

Location
Stockton
@Lumpy... so my co-worked sent me this while I was camping. It happened again, He said this truck had been launching a stand up from the bed before the cover got closed. Went in to far and you can see the rest. The back of the truck is floating IMG_5763.PNG
 
Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
Lumpy said:
Must be the gasoline in the tank. Why dont you ever see trailers float?
Click to expand...

He didn't say float. He said lose traction. There may have a very high alge content and changing water levels. The ramps by me are cross cut like deep diamond plate and 2x4 vehicles can still struggle to get traction during low tide when they have no problem pulling at high tide.

Think of it as green ice under the back tires when the front brakes are able to roll freely.
 
Vumad

Vumad

Super Hero, with a cape!
Location
St. Pete, FL
As for the truck floating after it's in the water, vehicles have displaced air in the compartments. Just like a ski with inadequate foam, they will float until the air is displaced and then sink. Trailers have no void spaces so they do not float. Strap a couple of storage boxes to it and it would.
 
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