Caravan braking systems

Mal,
How much does the van weigh?

I wouldn't consider anything but electric brakes, independently operated by either brake pedal or manual override. Override brakes only work when you are braking under load or desperate to stop in a hurry
My van has brakes on both axles.
Cheers
Charlie

I thought override brakes went out of fashion for vans back in the 60's.

Electric brakes have a few advantages like being able to set braking power and action.
I change mine in towns to be a bit agressive compared to highway travel.

So easy with a prodigy.

Geist vans are substantialy lighter build than most aussie vans and are also more expensive. Only time will tell if they stand up to our roads (tracks).

Pooley

Electric brakes should be considered as over rides are pretty crap & normally only work when the trailer has already push the back of the tow car about & are realy bad in the wet (most people never get them adjusted right as they change with the load & road conditions & should realy be called a hand brake as most only work at this point) most trailers of any type tow better with a bit of weight to the front as long as the tow vehicle can handle it as it stops that see/saw affect that normally starts the dreaded sways, cant help you on the van don't no it, but i bet the one with electric brakes & axles a little back tows a lot better & is easier to stop.
Don,t tow any vans much But i tow every couple days from 250 kg to 4500kg

Go for electric brakes every time. I have a 17'6" Jayco and they are good.
I fitted a set on my son's work trailer a couple of years ago and he has never looked back. One advantage that they have is that they can be applied independently of the towing vehicle. They are good for straightening up a caravan or when going down a hill.
The kit for my son's trailer cost $1500.00 (fitted by us) and includes drums, backing plate complete with shoes, a holding plate that has to be welded onto the axles. Necessary bolts, nuts & washers, brake controller and brake magnets and new wheel bearings.
The axles need to be removed from the vehicle and completely stripped and then reasembled with the new gear. None of the gear that is removed is re-usable on the new assembly. The kit that I used was for a tandem axle that had rectangular shafting.

Mal you are a brave person to buy a Geist or have to much money for your own good. If you are staying on the main highways like Europe it should be ok
Have seen 2 that looked like the old Aerolite with backside droop.
Would never consider a van with override brakes. My personal safety is worth more than crap braking system that is not adjustable by the driver. You would not be brave enough to go on gravel or poor bitumen roads with a Geist so proper brakes may not be an issue.
Fact of life small things break in caravans and with good Aussie built van you can get parts most towns. With your Geist you are beholden to the dealer. Check out Geist spare parts prices and availability and see if how your blood pressure handles the shock. There is one insurance company that will not touch Geist.

Mal
I have owned caravans with both overide and electric brakes and now I would not have anything less than electric brakes, much more control over the braking of the towed vehicle and less load on the towing vehicles braking system.
I am about to install electric brakes onto my off road camper trailer as I am so impressed with the electric brakes on my off road caravan.

Cheers
Treker

goodday folks
correct me if i am wrong but dont you have to have a proper braking system on any van over a certain weight (750kgs) and a breakaway system over 2000kgs and it either has to be electric or hydraulic i am not sure that override comes into this catergory although it did 20years ago before electric /hydraulic units

steve

Hi Mal, we are in the same position as you except we are looking at a XK535, single axle, 17'6" with the same non electric breaking system. I'm sure if electric brakes were needed then they would be law in Europe after all as soon as you get off the motor ways in any European countries the roads are equally as bad or worse than many of ours and they also have real mountains.

I guess if the Aussie van builders could produce something with a modern airy interior with the flexibility of the Geist and at similar prices we would not be forced to consider imports. Nothing we saw at the Sandown show over the past weekend offered the sleeping flexibility. Two singles or a giant double as well as two bunks for kids. We are confused because it seems that no one is able to give a truly unbiased opinion on the Geist. It seems that the Australian caravan industry is reluctant to change, although A-Van at least seem to be trying. Can anyone give us an unbiased opinion on the Geist?

Thanks for the follow up Mal. I had an interesting phone conversation with a dealer today, I rang about a traded 2004 Golf Linwood and asked him why I should consider this ahead of a Geist LV535. He could not give me any logical reason to take it ahead of the Geist. He indicated I would need a Landcruiser or Patrol to tow it comfortably and it was still two bunks short and had a ball weight of 275Kg versus 100Kg. He was European and explained that electric brakes are illegal in Europe (interesting!) and are useless on icy roads.

The heavy chassis suspension so popular here was discontinued in Europe in the 60's in favour of monocoque construction, just like it was with cars. So why is it still used here?

We have read a couple of the local Geist reviews and they are certainly very positive mainly for the reasons we like them...ease of towing, weight, interior design and spaciousness. Looking forward to hearing from you after your dealer meeting with Geist...regards RobnLiiz