Brakes on vans
Submitted: Monday, May 25, 2015 at 11:44
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michael k7
When I was in southern Queensland awhile back getting the batteries in my van upgraded.
The auto electrician tried to tell me that the rules had changed on the brake away systems on vans that anything over two tonne now required one is this correct.
Can understand on tandem wheel trailers but what would be the point on single axle vans surely this would cause more problems.
Any help
Reply By: TomH - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 12:24
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 12:24
A van with a GTM of 2001kg and up requires breakaways.
Few single axle vans would weigh over that I would think.
Why would it cause problems depending on the number of axles.
If you are in a situation that they activate, anything will be better than nothing
AnswerID:
554191
Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 12:33
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 12:33
I agree with Tom.
Also the breakaway must act on all wheels
FollowupID:
840196
Reply By: Notso - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 13:15
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 13:15
It isn't retrospective, so if the van doesn't have em fitted you don't need to fit em!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 14:21
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 14:21
Thanks for that
FollowupID:
840202
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:31
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:31
It's not a case of retrospectivity, if the van if the van should have had the breakaway unit when it was first registered then it is not roadworthy and never has been. It needs to be made roadworthy before you next use it.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 14:25
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 14:25
Sorry about that yes I have a single axle van
AnswerID:
554202
Reply By: TomH - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:14
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:14
It would of course be sensible and not very hard to fit them if you already have electric brakes.
If your van only has overides it isnt heavy enough to need them.
Having them and not having the van depart uncontrollably would be much better than it rolling down the road and causing an accident if it came detached
AnswerID:
554204
Reply By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:39
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 15:39
Michael, you are a little short on details:
When was the van first registered?
What is the GTM figure on the compliance plate?
If the GTM exceeds 2,000 kg then it probably needed a breakaway unit whether it is a single or dual axle van. I know of no rule change in the last 20 years. I also do not know how much earlier the ruling came into force.
AnswerID:
554207
Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:03
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:03
2009 GTM 2021 when I get
home will have one fitted by the sounds of all this
FollowupID:
840220
Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:03
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:03
2009 GTM 2021 when I get
home will have one fitted by the sounds of all this
FollowupID:
840221
Follow Up By: cruiser 3 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:22
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 17:22
This all sounds a little odd. The van at that weight must have had a breakaway fitted when new and maybe someone has removed it.
What is also strange is that usually any van weighing over 2 tonnes has duel axles. I think you should check the load rating of each tyre because I bet they are not rated to carry 1 tonne load each. I am assuming your van would be about 18 foot or a bit more at that weight and that size and weight are usually dual axle
FollowupID:
840223
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:27
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:27
Cruiser, there are plenty of larger vans out there with single axles. The heavy beam axles are rated at 2,000 kg and some of the independent suspensions are rated at 2,200 kg. Those with 2,200 kg ratings have 16" wheels. A lot of the beam axles have 15"wheels, the tyres on my 15" rims are rated at 1,100 kg each, I have to watch which tyres I get as some of my size go under the 1,000 kg. If I had the next size up most of the cheap tyres would be rated high enough.
FollowupID:
840230
Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:52
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:52
I bought this van new ordered from the
Brisbane Caravan show bit reluctant to say the maker now
I have 16inch rims with LT 245/75R16 Continental tyres fitted 120/116S.
Which I had fitted before I left on this adventure,(the other tyres were now over five years old with still good tread but I did not want to trust them even though the van is always stored in a shed) the van came new as a pop top van which I had them convert to a regular van its says on the compliance plate that the axles can handle 2600 tonne.
Tare 1900 tonne ATM 2200
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Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:54
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 18:54
Forgot to also say it's a tad under 6m in total length.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 21:06
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 21:06
Certainly for NSW the requirement for breakaway brakes has been in since 1998 and I guess the same rules apply to other states - so you van should have had breakaway brakes from new,
Garry
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: michael k7 - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 22:26
Monday, May 25, 2015 at 22:26
Rather interesting as they got it regestered for us so as we just picked it up and drove
home, like I say not far from
home now will get fitted now thanks to everyone
FollowupID:
840238
Reply By: swampfox - Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 18:29
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 18:29
hi
Domestic style box trailer etc
If its greater than 2000kgs at least electric brakes all wheels with breakaway system -no exceptions
At time of road worthy [any trailer with brakes ] breakaway must be fitted and operational
swampfox
AnswerID:
554271