What is the best way to free up frozen trailer brakes?

[quillcom]

Wish I'd known the hammer tech back when I was a rook, instead of dragging the bobbed tract around for half past.

Even dragged her off the lot for better or traction only to get stuck on a ice patch hidin in the snow.

Called the boys; took a few whacks and I was off and rollin free.

Had my own in the cab the whole time.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Wish I'd known the hammer tech back when I was a rook, instead of dragging the bobbed tract around for half past.

Even dragged her off the lot for better or traction only to get stuck on a ice patch hidin in the snow.

Called the boys; took a few whacks and I was off and rollin free.

Had my own in the cab the whole time.

This sounds like a mix of English and Caterpillar hat CB.

 

[Duck]

You can GENTLY use a torch on the trailer brake valves. keep the flame moving and don't linger in one spot too long. Be careful of the plastic lines. You don't need any more problems.
Pay special attention to any 90 degree metal elbows.
This is where the moisture will most likely collect if it's not in the valve itself.
Do this after putting in brake line antifreeze. Make sure your red button is pushed in while doing this.
And you will hear the air flow when you hit the right spot.

I delivered to @Sinister's Walmart DC in the winter once, and had to run my tandems all the way back.

Air release tandem pins.

When empty, I aired up the pins to run the axles back forward, but then they wouldn't release the pins so they could lock.

I put a little bit of air brake deicer in the red glad hand and cycled the red knob a few times but it made no difference.

Finally I grabbed my propane torch and waved it back and forth on the aluminum valve block behind the knob and it only took like 3 seconds and "psssssss". The pins locked and I was on my way.

I used to carry a propane torch, never needed it for any of my own stuff, only used them to help others on the fuel islands so they could get out of my way. Haven't carried one with me in years, though.

Once you have had to thaw the ice out of your trailer padlock using your body heat with your bare hands and the warmth of your breath, you'll decide to make a little room in your side box for that propane torch.

Although filling the lock with WD40 before parking in an ice storm would probably help too.

 

[AK7]

Anybody that runs up here and doesn't carry a torch is foolish.

 

[Mike]

I delivered to @Sinister's Walmart DC in the winter once, and had to run my tandems all the way back.

Air release tandem pins.

When empty, I aired up the pins to run the axles back forward, but then they wouldn't release the pins so they could lock.

I put a little bit of air brake deicer in the red glad hand and cycled the red knob a few times but it made no difference.



Finally I grabbed my propane torch and waved it back and forth on the aluminum valve block behind the knob and it only took like 3 seconds and "psssssss". The pins locked and I was on my way.


Once you have had to thaw the ice out of your trailer padlock using your body heat with your bare hands and the warmth of your breath, you'll decide to make a little room in your side box for that propane torch.

Although filling the lock with WD40 before parking in an ice storm would probably help too.

Bottle of water close to the heater will thaw the lock out quickly.

 

[Duck]

Bottle of water close to the heater will thaw the lock out quickly.

Good emergency solution but then you can't use the lock again until it completely dries out.

 

[Mike]

Good emergency solution but then you can't use the lock again until it completely dries out.

Sure you can, just pour water on it again when you need to unlock it.

Never had an issue with locks other than a little water once in a while.

That said, I usually keep the wd40 in it during cold weather.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Anybody that runs up here and doesn't carry a torch is foolish.

Pitchfork too? Ogres all up in that place?

 

[quillcom]

This sounds like a mix of English and Caterpillar hat CB.

Lol

Good, it worked. Wanted to sound more like a rural trucker like most of you guys.

Thks

 

[Shreck]

Bottle of water close to the heater will thaw the lock out quickly.

I don’t know how many time i have wasted a good cup of coffee.

 

[Rigjockey]

I remember the time I was almost locked out of the yard by a padlock and freezing rain.

Nothing a Bic lighter couldn't fix. heat the lock and heat the key and voila.

Don't cheap out on some Chinese made lighter, get a Bic made in France and don't feel bad buying a lighter like a filthy smoker.
They can't judge you. they are the ones selling them

 

[Duck]

I remember the time I was almost locked out of the yard by a padlock and freezing rain.

Nothing a Bic lighter couldn't fix. heat the lock and heat the key and voila.

Don't cheap out on some Chinese made lighter, get a Bic made in France and don't feel bad buying a lighter like a filthy smoker.
They can't judge you. they are the ones selling them

I tried that once, with a lighter. Didn't work.

By the time I got it freed up with El Propano, it was so hot my oily fueling glove was smoking when I was carrying it into the cab.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I remember the time I was almost locked out of the yard by a padlock and freezing rain.

Nothing a Bic lighter couldn't fix. heat the lock and heat the key and voila.

Don't cheap out on some Chinese made lighter, get a Bic made in France and don't feel bad buying a lighter like a filthy smoker.
They can't judge you. they are the ones selling them

I got electric bolt cutters that'll chomp Grade 43 chain.

 

[Rigjockey]

I got electric bolt cutters that'll chomp Grade 43 chain.

Disregard the Bic lighter then.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I remember the time I was almost locked out of the yard by a padlock and freezing rain.

Nothing a Bic lighter couldn't fix. heat the lock and heat the key and voila.

Don't cheap out on some Chinese made lighter, get a Bic made in France and don't feel bad buying a lighter like a filthy smoker.
They can't judge you. they are the ones selling them

Zippo. Made in Pennsylvania. Probably. Or at least HQ here.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Disregard the Bic lighter then.

They die on cable seals tho. They don't close enough so they just bite then need to be twisted.

Think a Bic can help me?

 

[Electric Chicken]

Seriously though some of my customers as a Schneider saw me using them and bought the same ones.

I'm inspirational. I need a PBS show.

 

[Johndeere4020]

I got electric bolt cutters that'll chomp Grade 43 chain.

Normal lock shackle is a lot harder than grade 43

 

[Electric Chicken]

Normal lock shackle is a lot harder than grade 43

I tried a Bic on Grade 43 and nothing happened.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Wait I can't do a PBS show.

Overactive bladder. I forgot.