trailer brakes

Override are still acceptable. The cops are cracking down on trailers over 750kg without brakes. They are now required by law. The local boat shop here has an 8 week waiting period for trailer brakes as the Melbourne supplier can't keep up with demand.

Barnesy

I thought brakes on trailers over 750kg GTM had been the rule for a while?
I also thought override brakes were OK for trailers up to 2000kg GTM?

Just been through the exercise in setting up a trailer.

I'm not sure wether this was an Australian wide issue or just a SA issue.
In SA although the requirements for brakes are quite specific,
0-749kg, no brakes are required.
750-1999kg, brakes are required on at least one axle, brakes may be of any acceptable form.
>2000kg, driver controlled brakes on all wheels, and auto apply in event of break away.
For boat trailers that fell into the 750-1999kg category built before a certain date (which would have been prior to the introduction of the current legislation) there was a sunset period where those trailers were not required to be retrofitted with compliant brakes.
That sunset period has now expired and all boat trailers within that 750-1999kg category are no longer exempt for not having brakes, and must have compliant brakes fitted.

Cheers,

Dion.

I thought it was a common sense approach to the problem, although the sunset period was a little longer than it should have been.
It's no different to any other vehicle issue. If I have a product that was compliant when built, but does not comply with todays standard doesn't nescessarily mean I should now discontinue to use it.
When the new legislation came into being, it was announced that it was impracticle to make existing rigs comply over night, and thus the sunset period was introduced in order to allow people to wisely assess all the options and comply accordingly.
The sunset period was sufficiently long enough that no-one should have been caught out, there was enough warning about last weekend's date.
I know when we purchased our first boat, a 16' Nereus it was well over 750kg but didn't have trailer brakes fitted. I was actually oblivious to the legislation and sunset period, however took it upon myself to fit trailer brakes after assessing all the available options.
Boat trailer and boat renewal notices from TSA have sufficiently forwarned people of the requirements.
I am unaware of other states requirements, so this may be mirrored elsewhere, I just haven't looked, which is what the opening line of my first post said. I hadn't bothered to research further than SA as there is no intention for my boat to leave SA.

Cheers,

Dion.

Hi All
So if I tow my 900kg nett, 1290 gross 1978 Viscount Poptop (WA Licenced) fitted with effective over ride brakes from WA through SA, NSW and Vic and back home to WA am I legal in SA & Vic but not in NSW, or Legal in WA and NSW but illegal in VIc and SA or just legal in WA????
Not going to make much difference to me as I'm going to do the trip anyway and stuff the regs..

Tow vehicle is a 1999 TD5 Disco auto with a braked towing capacity of 3500kg according to both the handbook and the compliance plate on the tow bar.

As you all have suggested;- It's about time these messes were sorted.

As another example my No1 son was a long haul bitumen Semi tanker driver based in WA but working in Melbourne with his WA licenced truck.
His Tanker was legal here in WA with a total of 55000ltrs on both trailers but in Vic only 42500ltrs Can any one explain why such stupid rule changes apply???

Perhaps it has something to do with State Rights or should it Rites coz unless it's sorted the Feds will takeover, no doubt for their benefit and not the states.

Regards

Disco

The problem with override brakes is that on a long down hill run, the override brakes are always applied, overheat and FAIL, even if you are in a low gear. At least with electrics you use a low gear and apply the brakes sparingly.

Dunedigger

Dion.

Mate, you are on the money.

750kg GVM is now THE legal limit in VIC before electric brakes have to be applied/added/installed, regardless of how you get there - load plus unloaded weight etc.

Its the same as my troopy, once that sucker passes/exceeds 3495kg's its illegal - unroadworthy - insurance voided.

I just had a guy install a new axle in my CT to boost the load limit pass 1600kgs and he was telling me that 750kg's was the new limit for electric brakes.

Maybe they are trying to get a standard minimum Australia wide o.

Also something about when it exceeds 3.5t or 4.5t it has to have air assisted or a 'breakaway safety' plus electrics on dual axles. Can't remember the exact requirements, but I know they do change.

The 750 kg rule does not even come into efect if your tow vehicle has a lower unbraked tow limit EG(500kg) that is the limit that brakes must be on at. Check owners manuals?? ( I think a Susuki sierra? is about 350kg unbraked)
cheers
Charlie