Camper Trailer Brakes - which ones to get?

[fish hunter]

Hey Guys,

I have an off-road unbraked camper trailer and have always suspected that once fully loaded that it would be over the allowed 750kg. So last weekend I put to camper trailer over a weighbridge with most of our gear packed, and sure enough found that it weighed 820kg without any food, water or clothing packed. If we were ever in an accident, I'm sure the insurance company would not cough up, so I have decided that I need to modify the trailer and install brakes. I have done a bit of research on manual over-ride, hydraulic and electric systems, and have ruled out hydraulic. I am not sure whether to go for manual over-ride disk brakes or electric drum brakes, as each system has their advantages and disadvantages. Can anyone offer advice on this?

Most of our off-road use will be on the beach, so I am cautious of the effects of saltwater on the braking system. I have mechanical over-ride disk brakes on the boat trailer, so have a general idea of the limitations when it comes to the level of control over the brakes, reversing etc.

So, which way do I go? I'm keen to hear your thoughts on cost, off-road benefits, maintenance etc. At the moment I'm totally confused on which which system to install. Cheers.

[Mr__Bean]

Also interested.

Darren

[finga]

Are you happy with the way the boat trailer works?
If so then go disc over-ride. Disavantages are cable hanging low that may get hung up on something locking brakes on and the hassle of reversing.
Electric are great but it depends on how much salt they'll see. If it's only salty air then not much of a worry.
Advantages are excellent control if the camper starts 'wagging' and no reversing hassles and no cables to hang up on something if your going real bush.
Personally I'd go the electric path and have the controller in the car and not on the trailer.

The electric brakes are easy to put on as your simply weld on some backing plate brackets (if the axle is sufficiently strong) and do some simple assembly and wiring and jobs done if the car has a controller already.

Either way you'll have to get the trailer specifications altered and the registration changed to suit the higher weights.

[Matt76]

Why did you rule out hydraulic mate?

[finga]

Why did you rule out hydraulic mate?

Personally I'd rule it out because of the pipework required and the fact that, unless you get stainless pipe and fittings, it's gunna rust very easily. And the specialist tools requires if your do it yourself.
Cable and wire is easy to replace when needed. Pipe isn't. But that's just my opinion.

[wags on the water]

Electric drums on my CT. Easier maintenance and to fit and less $$$.

[fish hunter]

I ruled out hydraulics on the advise of a few trailer manufacturers. I'm no mechanic and certainly would struggle to fix and bleed brake lines on the side of the road. The disk override brakes work fine on my boat trailer, but I'm concerned about having to flick the lever over to reverse, especially when trying to get out of a bog when 4WDing. Also the fact that you don't have a lot of control over the brakes with manual systems for downhill decents is a bit of a concern. On the other hand electric drums could be an issue with saltwater. I'm not planning on driving in the saltwater, but I have had to on a couple of crossing points around rocks in the past. The in car controller seems to be the recommendation of a lot of people I have spoken to. I think I'm steering towards the electric system.

What are the maintenance requirements with the electric drums brakes? What, and how often? Cheers guys.

[wags on the water]

I have never driven through salt water with the CT so I don't have the issue you mentioned. We go camping along the coastline so after the trip, everything is cleaned with freshwater to remove the sand. The wheels are removed then pull the drums off to inspect and clean. So far I haven't found any dramas inside the drum. As far as the in car controller - it needs to be in the car so you can adjust if required.

I do a thorough check before a weekend away as well - for justin.....just in case.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...b_01_b.aspx#15

Some more info on trailer builds -

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...trailers/page4
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...brakes-lock-up

[Apollo]

Depends alot on your use of the CT, but mine is set up with electric because I don't want the situation where the overide trailer brakes won't engage when decending a slippery decent. I also like the ability to only apply the trailer brakes to straighten the rig out.

[fish hunter]

Yeah some good info in those other threads Wags, cheers.
Apollo you raise a good point about being able to tap the electric brakes to get the trailer to straighten up in a wobble.