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trailer brake question,

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 15:20

sleepy1

Article Overview - Preparing a Vehicle for Towing
Everyone who intends to tow a caravan, or indeed any sort of trailer, needs to be aware that various tow vehicle and trailer combinations can behave in slightly different ways and certainly different from just driving the tow vehicle itself. View Full Article...
hello on this wet Wednesday afternoon,
just been down to weigh my camper trailer, boy did i get a fright, .900kg now my question, although i am going to fit electric brakes do i legally have to have them or is it just if the tare is over .750kg. that .900kg is loaded and ready to go. thanks. only asking to see if i need to have them fitted now or next month. i bet there is a few people out there that don't relise how heavy there trailers are, i was shocked.
cheers peter
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ThreadID: 63259 Replies: 6
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AnswerID: 333771   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 15:41

Member - Graham H (QLD) replied:

I believe its the ATM or loaded weight but I could be wrong EG any van that goes over 2 Tonne has to have breakaways.
I thought a 750kg trailer could only weigh that loaded but once again I could be wrong
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AnswerID: 333772   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 15:43

Maîneÿ (wa) replied:

When I weighed my Camper trailer it was 780Kg, FULLY laden, it had electric brakes from (almost) new, actually I did a 'U' turn just a few Klms after picking it up and returned it to the manufacturer and had them fitted, as I could feel the added weight of the camper trailer even unloaded, when I braked.

With the electronic brakes you would not even know it was there and on winding dirt roads it was a pleasure to travel with a trailer.

Mainey . . .
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AnswerID: 333773   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 15:56

Member - Ian W (NSW) replied:

Peter,

Australian Dept. of Infrastructer, Transport etc... etc.. lay down the rules for this.

A trailer with a GTM (gross trailer mass) of more than 750 Kg. must be fitted with brakes.

There appears to be some peculiar anomalies. Two axles close together are classed as a single axle. However all trailers with separated axles must have brakes, even if still under 750kg.

There must be a reasoning for this, however it escapes me at the moment.

Go for the electric brakes, you will never regret it.

Ian
Reply 3 of 6
FollowupID: 601631   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 22:45

Muzzgit [WA] posted:

I recently acquired a dual axle trailer as part of a deal when I bought a second hand quad bike. The trailer doesn't have brakes and I can't think why not.

Surely a dual axle trailer is made to carry more weight so why would it not legally require brakes at the time of manufacture?

Like you said, there appears to be some peculiar anomalies.
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Muzz.

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AnswerID: 333776   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 16:12

sleepy1 replied:

thanks guys you have answered my question and i will be getting them fitted.
Reply 4 of 6
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AnswerID: 333778   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 16:13

Tony replied:

Put electric brakes on it, you will not regret it.. Far better control under all braking conditions, including in an emergency
Reply 5 of 6
AnswerID: 333785   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008 at 16:58

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) replied:

Found the same thing with mine.

Plate on the draw bar says 750kg ATM.

trailer is 520 kg empty.

Load it up and it must be over 750kg, more like 800kg plus.

The 750 kg rule makes it easy for the manufacturer to produce a cheaper trailer by not putting brakes on.

After our first trip had brakes fitted. A lot better, especially on dirt.

Like you I wonder how many CTs are actually over the 750kg.

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John C - aka Oldplodder
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