I have a TT fire truck weighing over 3,000 lb. w/o any one on board with RM brakes. I am not pleased with their performance. I have asked Ben Hardeman at TEXAS T PARTS if he could make Sure-Stop Disc Brakes for the TT chassis. He is now in the final stage of development. If there is anyone else out there that is needing sure stopping of their TT contact Ben with your questions. I have had disc brakes on my touring over 5 years now and have been glad several times when modern vehicles have changed lanes and stopped. THEY DO WORK. Neil Obrien Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque
My TT is just a flat bed, so it doesn't weigh what yours does. I think it is 2200 lbs. But the transmission brake will lock up the wheels, so I've never seen the need to have any additional brakes. They would certainly be a bit safer in the case of a failed drivetrain, but.......
Like Hal, my TT is a flat bed and it weighs in at 2,260 lbs. I have Bennett auxiliary brakes (a period accessory) and they do the job just fine. I can lock up the rear wheels at will.
Of course, you need to do what makes you comfortable and feel safe. For me, I never drive it over 30 MPH (nearly max speed with the Muncie), I am careful to plan my route in advance, I shy away from busy days/times and busy places, so I'm pretty comfortable with what I have.
I have a TT with the internal shoes and they will slide the wheels with ease. I also have RM and the trans brake. Why would you go and spend lots of money for brakes that wont stop you any faster. Plus if you do add the Disc Brakes Royce will pull your T status. You will have a benny truck. Scott
If you have an auxiliary transmission, or a Ruckstell, then you should also have adequate wheel brakes that work properly in both directions.
If current TT Rockies don't work in reverse, and you get caught between gears or knocked out of gear while climbing a hill, are the TT emergency brakes enough to stop you from rolling down backwards?
I have a TT with a Warford and a Ruckstell... it doesn't run yet, but when it does I'm going to need to do something about the brakes.
Derek,
You are certainly right in your comment about adequate wheel brakes with aftermarket gear boxes. I'm curious to know if your TT has high or low ratio rear end gears. If you have a high ratio set, with the Ruckstell in direct, Warford in high, and planetary in high, you'll scoot along pretty fast, making good brakes even more important.
"I'm curious to know if your TT has high or low ratio rear end gears"
Me too! I haven't messed with it enough yet to know... All I know is that I don't have enough hands and feet to run all those pedals and levers at once.
If the truck is "together" and things turn freely, you can try this (chock the wheels first!):
With the planetary in high (direct), the Warford in 2nd (direct) and the Ruckstell in high (direct), the key off, and one rear wheel jacked up off the ground, crank the engine over slowly. Since one wheel is still on the ground, the one jacked up will turn at twice regular ratio, so if it takes about 11 engine revolutions to 1 wheel revolution you have a high set of gears. If it takes about 15 engine revolutions to 1 wheel revolution you have a low set of gears.
With your set up you can expect something over 30 MPH with low rear end gears and something over 40 with high ratio rear end gears.
Once you get it going you'll get proficient with "all those pedals and levers" in no time!
Heavy {over 3000lb.] TT fire trucks will NOT stop with WET RM brakes. I do not have a trailer queen so it is shown and driven in unexpected rain and I enjoy being able to be safe.
Neil, have you tried using the hand brake in the rain?
Stephen
Derek....Once you start driving your TT you'll know within half a mile if it's the low or high ratio gear! I have a '25 TT firetruck, like Neil says, it's heavy. I don't seem to have any real trouble stopping it at its "cruising speed" of 22 MPH. It coasts to a slow speed pretty quick too. I haven't run it in any rain, nor do I ever intend to. Once it's all gussied up, it'll be the proverbial trailer queen due to it's slow speed, and taking it to parades out of town. I'll run it out here in the country occasionally giving rides to kids, big & small, but that's about it.