emergency brake cable yanked during storage? is this a problem?

[MommieMara]

So our TT is in our driveway right now as we get ready for our next trip. Got home this evening and stepped out of the car and saw something in the grass. It was my emergency brake cable and plug. I'm pretty sure the freaking neighbor kid that makes me nuts mucking with stuff yanked it out. Not sure how long it was out but it totally killed my battery. I have the TT plugged in right now to recharge the battery and the plug is back in the emergency brake box. Any suggestions on what I need to do to make sure everything is ok? Could being yanked so long have locked up my brakes or ruined my battery? I'm so frustrated because I'm sure it was that dang neighbor kid. Any input is appreciated so I'm ready for our long trip from Cincinnati to Maine next week. Thanks.

[BuddyRay]

I doubt it damaged anything. The worst thing I can think of (other than the dead battery) is that it might have overheated and burned out one or more of the magnets in the brakes but those are made to take a lot of heat so I doubt it.

[Dustdevil]

Likely just killed the battery. Dead. Finished. I hate that. Kid needs a size 11 up his... errr .... well, you know.

[Jagiven]

Only potential damage is to the battery. Charge it up, check the fuilds levels. Once charged, disconnect and monitor for voluntary discharge. You will have some right after disconnecting.

[Rustysocket]

I'm sure it will be all right. It's a pretty resilient system and essentially puts the same current to the brakes just as if you had your foot on the brake. It gets hot when you use it anyway so I think thats a non issue and I'll bet your battery is fine as well.

It's sometimes frustrating to deal with neighbors kids. But I've found it beneficial to figure out what makes each kid tick and to make them my friend. I'd rather have them looking out for me than figuring out how to screw me. But I also realize there are some real troubled kids out there that have crappy parents (or no parents) and have never had any discipline so I can't really judge you on that.

I hope it works out and that you enjoy your trip.

[schiguy]

Sounds like you need to put a game camera and then go and have a chat with his parents when you have a picture to show them.

[shadester]

Originally Posted by schiguy

Sounds like you need to put a game camera and then go and have a chat with his parents when you have a picture to show them.

I like the camera idea as I don't rush to judgement anymore. We had someone stealing wood from us and I told the wife wait till I catch those kids.... Turned out it was to two women in the late 60's and not the kids I was blaming.

[Seann45]

The battery may have been fried from going dead, the brakes should not have been hurt as they rely on movement to activate them HOWEVER the emergency brake switch my be toast... the points inside it my have fried from the current going through them.. best way to check.. hook up pull the emergency pin and see if you can move the RV if you can the breakaway switch is fried..

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Dustdevil

Likely just killed the battery. Dead. Finished. I hate that. Kid needs a size 11 up his... errr .... well, you know.

DENNIS!!! Yells Mr. Wilson........