Trailer brakes

[JamesJamz]

Hi Everyone.

Sorry to bring up such an old post, but im after a bit of help.

I recently acquired a trailer which im currently bringing up to scratch (was really rusty)

Anyway ive ground all the rust off and painted it again, and its looking good as new... but now im onto the mechanics of the trailer.

The trailer had hydraulic breaks on at one stage (drums and pipes are there) but there is nothing connected to the tow bar assembly at all... anyone know what i need to get these working again?

I've looked all over the net, and it seems there is no hydraulic brakes about, they are all cable braked?

Looked all over the net, and this was the only place i could find with people who may have a clue about it.

Cheers

James

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi James, I've moved this here rather than resurrect that old thread.
I'd expect the trailer uses car axles which is why it has hydraulics fitted. I think there was a similar discussion on here some time ago, might be worth a forum search.

 

[gordon stephenson]

I think the hydraulic brakes worked by having a standard sort of master cylinder pushed by the spring loaded over run shaft of the trailer coupling,quite a simple set-up really.
Hope this helps,

Gordon.

 

[speedoo51]

Look here....Northerntool.com...You will see what Gordon was reffering to..Seb..

 

[rtbcomp]

Convert to cable, if it needs brakes at all. I've a sneaky feeling hydraulic brakes are illegal on trailers for towing behind cars.

 

[general--lee]

hydraulic brakes are illegal for towing behind cars ( so are electric but most american caravans are you see over here)

i think you can use the handbrake cable system connected to the hitch to make it work rahter then then having to change the hubs etc ,

although i think that all trailers now must have auto reverse brakes i dont know if yours counts as a new build

 

[general--lee]

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/trailers/brakes.htm

to be fair only says no to hydraulic and electric for handbrake mech but im sure i read somehwrere else its a no no but here tells you years for autoreverse mech etc

 

[JamesJamz]

Cheers for the reply guys

I did go down to a trailer specialist and they told me that hydraulics are illegal on UK trailers, due to not having a fail safe.

I have a feeling im gonna have to go for a full new brake setup.

 

[M1CDQ]

I think a lot of DIY trailers that used car hubs used the handbrake cable as the braking
system and did not use the hydralics at all.
for trailer parts have a look at towsure the do a lot of parts for peopl that make thier own trailers

 

[SC_BK]

Bare in mind you only need brakes if the gross is over 750kg