Premature brake deployment on tru-lock toggles

[Blahr 0]

Anyone ever had a premature brake deployment with brand new tru-lock toggles?

I did yesterday. It was exciting for a few seconds but I
got it squared away fast enough.

I am trying to figure out if that can happen by accident or if it was an error on the part of the packer.

This is a completely brand new rig every piece and it has tru-lock toggles (no velcro) I can say for a fact that
the toggles fit snugly into the keepers and the pins are
nice and tight in their slots.

I am leaning towards believing that the packer didnt set them properly but I'm interested in hearing some other 3rd party opinions.

Cheers,

Chris

[skybytch 273]

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I am leaning towards believing that the packer didnt set them properly

A good reason to set them yourself before handing the rig to a packer...

[Kolla 0]

I don't think any system is completely immune to premature brake release, but my experience with the Tru-Lock risers has so far been excellent (both on my personal gear as well as on many of the PD demo canopies).

I'm with madame Bytch on this one though - set your brakes before you drop the canopy off with the packer - that way you know it's done the way you want it done
Blue ones,
Kolla

Blue Skies Magazine

[kallend 2,026]

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Anyone ever had a premature brake deployment with brand new tru-lock toggles?

Yes, but only when packed by a packer I'd not used before and haven't used since. I have around 500 jumps on these risers.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Blahr 0]

Quote

A good reason to set them yourself before handing the rig to a packer...

Absolutely. I accept that the primary responsibility for this
event lies with me, as it does with every single jump.

Actually I normally pack my own, I flat pack, and I'm very slow, and this was my first time at a DZ that was not my home DZ. At this location everyone PRO packs and I didnt want to stick out like a sore thumb so I just handed it off to the packer without using my brain first.

I'm spending the day today learning to PRO pack so the issue will likely be moot in the future BUT it was a good lesson learned.

[htrip 0]

I have the same toggel stows,after about 100 jumps on a new rig I began having the same problem.I always set my own brakes and still I was experiencing the problem. After speaking to our new rigger he inspected the tru-locks. It seems that due to original sewing or streching it was possible to have the toggle slip from the upper tuck area release the brake and still have the bottom pin in place. He was able to correct this by adding another stitch line along the pocket for the upper toggel. Also, this was not the first time he had seen this problem.
With the brakes set apply a hard tug while holding the top and bottom of your riser. it should be evident if this is your same problem. Good luck

[Blahr 0]

An interesting addendum to my post.

I open

ed the rig today to practice PRO packing and found that the packers apparently dont do anything at all with the excess brake line. No attempt at all was made to stow the line in the keepers on the opposite side of the risers. It was just all left hanging lose.

From what I saw when I pulled out the main, this could very easily drag the toggle out of the keeper and let the brake release on opening.

Is this the way all packers deal with excess brake line?
I sure hope not and I plan to talk to someone at that DZ about it next time I go there.

[RippedCord 0]

Quote

Quote

I am leaning towards believing that the packer didnt set them properly

A good reason to set them yourself before handing the rig to a packer...

Extending this logic, is there a reason we shouldn't also fold up the canopy, put it in the d-bag, secure the lines, and close the flaps before handing the rig to a packer? I start to wonder what kind of service are these people really performing...

AMDG

[eppy 0]

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Actually I normally pack my own, I flat pack, and I'm very slow, and this was my first time at a DZ that was not my home DZ. At this location everyone PRO packs and I didnt want to stick out like a sore thumb so I just handed it off to the packer without using my brain first.

Don't feel bad about flat packing. Whatever makes you comfortable should be acceptable at any DZ (unless you are trash-packing).

If you get looks, it's probably because people don't know how to flat pack (I don't). If you get dirty looks, find another DZ :)

ep

[PhreeZone 20]

>I start to wonder what kind of service are these people really performing...

Packers are there since you are too lazy or just don't know how to pack your own. If you are too lazy then you pay your money.. you take your chances. If you don't know how.. then its your own fault for not seeking out how to fix the problem. I've got 700+ jumps, 1000+ pack jobs and I've only had one packjob result in a chop and thats only since I did'nt stow the tandem brake right and it was a spinner on opening.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[catfishhunter 2]

hmmmmmm to lazy? Is that what packers think of people paying them? That they are to lazy?If I heard that from a packer I would find a different packer to give my $5 bucks to. I am not rich but I am not poor either and for me it is a win-win to pay the $5. but if packers think the way you stated then WTF am I doing kicking out 20-30 bucks a weekend to put jump money in their pockets?

MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose.

[AndyMan 7]

I've had both tru-lock and Sunpath "velcroless" toggles. I've had premature brake fires, on both. While I prefer the tru-lock, I've currently got Sunpath ones and don't plan on replacing them.

The biggest part, is that I don't think a premature brake fire is that big of a deal... It certainly needs attention, but its definately something that you can deal with by getting on your rear risers quickly.

I would not be so quick to blame the packer. Toggles do prematurely fire. Be prepared to counter a spinning malfunction every jump.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[AndyMan 7]

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Is this the way all packers deal with excess brake line?

Yes, it's also the way most jumpers deal with excess brake lines.

Most risers do not have a place to stow the brake lines. Some people choose to route through the connector links, or through the top of the riser. If the manufacturer didn't provide a place to stow them, then the best approach is to NOT stow them - assuming you don't jump a camera.

Most peopple don't stow their excess lines, and this usually is not a problem.

I hope the rest of the manufacturers will start providing stows.

Lean to propack so your rig will always be packed the way you want it.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[PhreeZone 20]

There are only a few people I see actually needing a packer at the DZ. LO's, Videographers, staff and serious teams. Everyone else is using one to either save their time and energy for other things. There is no reason that most fun jumpers can't pack their own gear and still hit the debriefs on a normal weekend.

It really makes me mad to see people yell at packers if they have to chop. If you want to prevent it... pack it your self.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Blahr 0]

Quote

Quote

Is this the way all packers deal with excess brake line?

Yes, it's also the way most jumpers deal with excess brake lines.

This is good to know. Fact is I really didnt know this.
I've had 2 rigs and both of them had a place for excess line. I just assumed that all rigs did.

I think if I get in the habit of making assumptions in this sport I may not be in it for too long

[EricaH 0]

I'm in 100% agreement. On occasion, when doing more than my normal # of jumps, I'm too wussy & will pay a packer cause my shoulders hurt. Or if it's too hot & I don't wanna sweat or too cold & my fingers are numb.
I've paid for 7 pack jobs in 160 jumps (& 5 of those were due to debriefing requirments).
It's not necessarly the packers that call you lazy, it's the fun jumpers that are willing to do it themselves (mostly cause they're jealous & wanna be outside too) or the people that get pack jobs & are secure enough in their lazyness. The packers just agree & happily are not lazy for you.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

Quote

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I am leaning towards believing that the packer didnt set them properly

A good reason to set them yourself before handing the rig to a packer...

Extending this logic, is there a reason we shouldn't also fold up the canopy, put it in the d-bag, secure the lines, and close the flaps before handing the rig to a packer? I start to wonder what kind of service are these people really performing...

I use packers but always stow my brakes and reset my slider. These two things take a few seconds and are pretty important. I'm paying for the hard work I don't feel like doing, but it's no big deal to take care of two little things that can make a big difference.

Not to mention, you should stow your toggles before you walk in. If you let them flop around on your way back, you're just setting yourself up for twisted up brake lines.

[hanknotdan 0]

"then the best approach is to NOT stow them - assuming you don't jump a camera.

Most peopple don't stow their excess lines, and this usually is not a problem."

So glad this isn't the thinking at my dz. Got my finger caught one time from a released line snapping around the end of my finger tip and an instant tension knot as the inflating canopy tried to pull the excess through my finger joint. Ouch and spinning mal. I'll never jump that guy's pack jobs again and won't jump a rig without some kind of stow. It's a fairly easy fix for a rigger to put an elastic stow on the back of the riser. One of the manufacturers is even showing a stow technique using a small rubber hand cut in half(don't recall which one right now though). If stowing is the right way to do it, then I don't think that not stowing is the right way to handle no manufacturer stows. Make the adjustments to the risers. Most riggers will do it cheaply. In fact, following that incident, I am giving some serious thought to going back to velcro. The old wear issue really only affects the lines below the cat's eye and that's an easy replacement if they do wear. (But if you stow them properly the wear issue is negated.)

So my advice would be stow your own brakes and excess if you don't trust the packers. But I always check out packers and only use ones I trust anyway. I admire the cajones(not the judgement though) of guys who can hand their rig to just anyone but I am not one of those guys.

[AndyMan 7]

I believe I made it clear that its best not to stow only if your rig is not equipped with stowes.

It is not smart to be "inventing" new ways of stowing just because they appear convenient - such as looping through the connector links, or the top of the risers. Looping through the risers caused a recent spinning malfunction that ended with a fatality.

I would agree that having a rigger install stowes is a good solution to those that don't have them. However, it is not a common solution, and my post was limited to common solutions.

_Am

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You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.