Camper Trailer Questions

1. Yes. Stainless steel pin with lock on end - forget name, Aussie Swag will be able to tell you.

2. I'm glad I have brakes, but how hard they are to fit, don't know. Again, a call to Noel, Julia or James at Aussie Swag would be a good idea.

3. All Aussie Swag campers now have the stone deflector standard, refer pictures on their web site. You might be able to get one and just bolt it on.

Sounds like yours is fairly old.....Russell S
Prado RV6

I don't know of any security locks for these setups. Would have to be a good market for one though.

A friend uses a wheel clamp for security.

How heavy is the trailer and what vehicle is towing it ??

If its over 750kg, it must have brakes. 650 to 750 , Depending on the vehicle and where you go, brakes would be a good idea.

Under that, brakes are a luxury, but a handy addition.

From memory, Aussie Swags are pretty heavy.

Window protection . . . you betcha. Either fit a proper stone guard to the trailer. That will protect your windows and paint work. At the very least a couple of perspect (sp) panels cut to size for the rear window and stuck on .

FarasIknow, brakes have to be engineered in from the start - axle and hub choices all tie in with the brake set up. If you have to pull up in a big hurry (usually in the city near the lights!) you will be thankful you have brakes - if you hit someone and you are over the said 750kg without brakes, you might lose seriously. What did the camper cost you ?Why I am here looking at this screen ?

FarasIknow, brakes have to be engineered in from the start - axle and hub choices all tie in with the brake set up. If you have to pull up in a big hurry (usually in the city near the lights!) you will be thankful you have brakes - if you hit someone and you are over the said 750kg without brakes, you might lose seriously. What did the camper cost you ? My HD trailer has over-ride cable disks - low maintenance and effective.Why I am here looking at this screen ?

You can add lecky brakes anytime. It does require changing hubs etc , but its relatively east to do.

Phil,

Talon make a lock for the tregg hitch and also a htch pin lock. Try
http://www.auslok.com.au/talon/talon.htm

But, they are expensive.

Where are you based? You are welcome to have a gander at ours if you'd like."Live today as if there may be no tomorrow"

Wombat

Rear window protector - "obies outback" (I think thats it ) makes a polycarbonate screen(s) that velcro onto rear windows - we bought them for out Patrol & very satisified - interestingly we saw an off road camper trailer up at Cape York with a stone defector fitted - the tow vehicle had a broken rear window !

Hi Phil P
1. I made my own Treg lock, a stainless steel pin, that has a concealed padlock on the end...simple and effective..seems like there is a market for them...maybe I should make some and flog em! If ya want some pics, let me know....
2. I just fitted electric brakes to my trailer, $470 for the drum kit, $80 for the 2nd hand controller and about $50 for cable and sundries. Pretty simple to do if you can weld and wire yourself...
It probably would have been cheaper in the end to replace the Treg with an override Treg and put on cable drums/discs...but I just wanted electric...
3. Yep its an issue...unless you got a mate in the glass trade!
Cheers

Dumb question, but I'll ask anyway.

Can someone explain how the rear window's get broken when towing ? Most cars have mud flaps !

Phil P

1. use one of these

[ View Image]

2. If it weighs more than 750 kgs loaded, yes.

3. Yes, you becha. Fit longer, thicker mudflaps and a stone deflector as per Melissa's advice. This is our set-up

[ View Image]Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)

Hi Phil,

It's definitely possible to break the back window even with a stone guard on the trailer. After getting it replaced in Alice (for a very reasonable price actually) we taped a piece of cardboard across the new window and by the end of the trip back to Brisbane the cardboard had quite a few dents that would probably have broken the window again if it wasn't covered.

The type of tyre you have makes a big difference to how many stones get kicked up as well. We have BF Goodrich ATs and the front of our trailer was badly stone damaged. Everywhere that a stone could get past the guard was pounded, even the suspension parts. The friend who came with us had highway type tyres on and while he had some damage to his trailer it was no where near as bad as ours. He also put cardboard on his window after we broke ours and didn't have a single stone mark on it when we got back. However he had two flat tyres on the trip and we had none so it probably evens out.

I would definitely put brakes on a camper trailer. Most likely it will be over the 750 kilos by the time it is loaded up and when you need to panic stop on a dirt road from a fairly high speed (and it will happen sometime) the rig will stop straight if the brakes do their job. Without them you may well be watching it come past you as you spin around.

Tim.

Thanks for your replies, I now have a project for this weekend !