caranvan - electric brakes
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 16:15
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50147
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Marko
Greetings - long time no post or read ... kids they'll do that to you.
Anyway the reason for the post - we are planning a trip up to NSW and my question is about a caravan with electric brakes (or whatever the correct terminologoy is)
I have an 80 series cruiser, dual batteries etc etc ... the father-in-law has a nice caravan that we are allowed to steal for two weeks. However it has electric brakes, not hydraulic.
What do i need to do to ensure the brakes on the caravan are going to work ok with the cruiser?
Thank you in advance for all your helpful replies...
cheers - marko
Reply By: Rosco - Qld - Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 16:42
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 16:42
Simple answer ... a controller on your vehicle.
Cheers
AnswerID:
264484
Follow Up By: kend88 - Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 17:20
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 17:20
If your f-in-l has a reasonably modern brake controller fitted to his tow vehicle, you may be able to borrow that too, and just get the wiring/cradle fitted to your car. Or you could just buy a Sekonsha Prodigy Controller off ebay or similar for around $175 and find an Auto Electrician to fit it for around $80/100.
Adds a bit of cost to your holiday but you must have one though.
From all accounts the Prodigy is the best, simplest and about the same price as others.
FollowupID:
526223
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 18:42
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 18:42
Yep - even looking at the various models of controllers around, supply and install will be about $300 min I guess - as suggested, if you duplicated the FIL's installation, you might be able to borrow his controller too - if an early unit though, paying to duplicate that old setup might be a waste of $.
AnswerID:
264499
Reply By: DIO - Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 19:09
Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 at 19:09
You need a new Tekonsha Prodigy correctly installed into your vehicle. Don't waste your time or money on an older model. Check ABR (no affiliation)
Link cozt about $175
AnswerID:
264502
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 15:30
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 15:30
If you are at all handy you can install it yourself in about an hour or so. Only 4 wires to connect. Make sure you run a good heavy wire to the towbar. a 6mm at least as voltage drop occurs in lighter wire and your brakes wont work as
well.
Test it before you go as too hard a setting will lock caravan
wheels in a sudden stop. Electric brake wire goes to pin 5 on a round connector Take the actuator wire off the cold side of the brake switch under dash. That is the one that powers up when u push the pedal NOT the one with power all the time. Hope this helps a bit
AnswerID:
264577
Reply By: debacle - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 18:44
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 18:44
what about the trailer mounted units with the dial on them?
anyone had any experience with these?
AnswerID:
264593
Follow Up By: David N. - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 18:57
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 18:57
Dangerous and should be illegal IMHO.
I had one on a boat trailer many years ago and would never again.
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Follow Up By: debacle - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 23:21
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 23:21
why, what happened david?
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526426
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 23:26
Monday, Oct 01, 2007 at 23:26
By law you must be able to independently operate the trailer brakes from the drivers
seat. This means that the controller must be mounted within easy reach of the driver.
PeterD
FollowupID:
526427
Follow Up By: Ozboc - Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:17
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007 at 16:17
Agreed - i have electric brakes on my fully enclosed tandom trailer- and the adjustable console in the car IS A MUST- when i have all my
camping gear - trail bikes
water and so
forth in the back - the trailer is easily over 1.5 tonnes(3 tonnes+ inc 4bie) - and the brake adjuster is adjusted accordingly and on the road as i am driving - you often need to do it whilst your driving as you need to get the feel , that is if the trailer is braking heavier than the car is when brake is applied ( or very little ) and you try to achieve the fine balance> with practice you can get the correct setting in just a few short minutes.
if you have something attached to the trailer its self - then you have to drive -- feel - jump out adjust and back in the car again - In my case i often carry loads in my trailer from 200 KG up to 2000KG so the same setting is never used.
hope this helps
Boc
FollowupID:
526526
Follow Up By: David N. - Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 16:24
Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007 at 16:24
It is imperative that you have both the ability to adjust correctly when driving, AND the ability to manually apply the brakes without applying car brakes.
That is not possible with trailer mounted units.
There is very little more important than good brakes- and a good driver accessible controller like a Teconsha Prodigy is the only way to go.
Cheers
FollowupID:
526699