Handbrake

BR

brit622

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2022
Posts
28
Location
colorado
General thought.
Im a Brit [lived US 40 yrs] In UK its the law [over 1500lbs] all trailers/campers etc must have parking/hand brake fitted. [course they have the overrun system too] Wondered if such a system would be legal here?
Reason I ask is the occasions I bring my 27' HiLo home it has to be in the driveway [locally not allowed on the road overnight] Plus it has the extra room, which can't be deployed roadside anyway. The driveway is so steep [ 2.5 inch drop in 4ft] Would be much easier set-up if just pulling a lever would make it secure before set-up
 
I like that law that the UK mandates. As far as I know, there is no such requirement here in the States, but I suspect it would not be illegal to supply a "handbrake" to trailers. I agree, it is somewhat problematic to keep the trailer from rolling if parked on an incline and disconnected from the tow vehicle, especially if the trailer has a single axle (like mine). Wheel chocks can only hold the trailer against average slopes. I've screwed a metal plate to mine that the wheel rolls onto so that it can't "push" the chock out of place. And, I use a tongue jack chock for additional security.

Dual axle trailers are much easier to secure with the chocks that fit between the wheels that stops them from rolling.

However, I don't know how you would retrofit a mechanical handbrake onto our electric brakes.

- Jack
 
Among other reasons trailer has to self sufficient as it were should the tow vehicle need to be disconnected on a hill. Trailers like cars have to pass a road worthiness east year...very strict too. [a car can fail on a worn windshield wiper]
A may look at some schematics. I know there are dedicated shops that retro fit. Trailers..or vehciles for that matter have to be brought to code before they can used on road [usually shipper has them delivered direct] There are quite a few travel trailers on the road originating from these shores. Like a tag here they need a plate, which you cannot get until specs are met.
Systems are very different. For my vacations etc I kept a Chrysler Voyager [T&C] there....limited to 1200 lbs tow-able.
Anyway, will post if I find a workaround
 
The over-run system.
 

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That looks like a mechanical brake. Ours is electric and the breakaway switch simply connects full trailer battery voltage to the trailer brakes in our HiLos. There's no mechanical connection at all and no way that I know of to supply a mechanical force to the brake shoes.

It appears, from your diagram, that when the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer kinda causes a pushing force, through the coupler, that pulls the cable to expand the brake shoes into the drums. Interesting design, but I don't know that it's ever been used in the States.

- Jack
 
Its actually to halt the trailer from pushing when foot off the gas [as the term suggests over-run, when not applying the brakes] Electric brakes work as normal.
It is also connected to a hand/parking brake. Those are either on hitch [handbrake ratcheted lever.. or a pedal inside the trailer.
]Law in the Uk and many other countries] Actually on annual road safety tests its tested on a hill decline/incline.
coupling with hanbrake 2.jpg
 
Not inexpensive...around $400...without 22% sales tax much cheaper of course [v.a.t.] .what some in the US term import tax....it's not, sales tax on everything, no matter where its produced, even in country...[price to pay for free healthcare/education I suppose]
When vacationing there [hiring a trailer..caravan as they name it] have found the brake system a boon in many ways/circumstances.
 
Have found Dexter do a replacement drum for electric brakes, has a hook to attach a cable to enable a handbrake facility [you can install a switch which engages electric but drains the battery of course] They have a link on the website for the parking brake kit.
I have all the original paperwork, plus enough bumf about the trailer [4'' thick folder], but the Dexter booklet covers every axle they supply..without specifying the type fitted. Anybody have a clue as to what the 27ft 2007 Towlite has as far as axle configuration is [lb's ect]? ..Trailer is in storage and really really busy, can't get a min to travel down there and get underneath to inspect.
Tks
Keith
 
"... In UK its the law [over 1500lbs] all trailers/campers etc. must have parking/hand brake fitted..."

Ugh! More government over-reach and mandates. No thanks.
 
Yeah I know..but everyone I know agrees with it, along with the annual road safety test/certification. Does help with insurance, I have a 18k car there [cheaper than renting] fully comprehensive, $28 a month [my 95 Burb here is $700 6 months....driving 58 yrs never had a claim] Government overreach sometimes helps, like no locked to carrier phones, no international roaming charges [I use a UK sim here for international..it's free, here my T.Mobile way too expensive.
Swings n roundabouts
Government overreach is everywhere. If I buy a Tesla S I get $7.5k tax credit..more in some states [makes the car cheaper] Also Tesla get $17k in emissions credit for every S class sold.
Those $$$$ have to come from somewhere.
 
Those $$$$ come from tax payers. Many of whom can't afford a Tesla. In an effort to level the playing field, Tesla owners should pay $$$$ when disposing of all the toxic chems when they scrap the batteries. Teslas remind me of the Ford Pinto in their vulnerability to go 'splodey. Except, you could drive a Pinto through water.

Yes, insurance rates in the States are horrible. And mobile phone rates. And the cost of pharmaceuticals. But our Constitution, Amendments and Bill of Rights make it a great Nation.

I hope you find a low-cost solution to your braking needs.
 
This thread has gotten off track - It was about a "handbrake" option for our trailers. Let's keep it on that subject. One of the nicer things about this forum is the lack of political comments. I think all of us would prefer that instead of the alternative.

- Jack
 
JackandJanet said:
This thread has gotten off track - It was about a "handbrake" option for our trailers. Let's keep it on that subject. One of the nicer things about this forum is the lack of political comments. I think all of us would prefer that instead of the alternative.

- Jack
Click to expand...
Thanks Jack! I agree! Keep it simple and about HiLo campers.
 
I feel I should comment [and also acknowledge with an apology] as this particular thread was instigated by me.
As Ive visited some 60 countries in my 40 yrs as a disaster response/aid worker I try and pick up tips/notions/ideas we may not have that could make life easier to some degree...hence the hand/parking brake situation.
Allowed only to work on driveway [street tinkering/ forbidden] I have the problem of an 18'' drop from rear to front of trailer [very steep incline] Obviously attempting to level is iffy at best, and with front of the tandem axles partially off the ground the scenario is not good. Plus leaving hooked to vehicle is not possible as its a rather short driveway. Independently braking the rear wheels while not relying on chocks appeared a reasonable workaround
At the point of explaining where the idea came from appears where the fork in the road came from. Unintentionally the subject took a path dissociated from it's origin. For that I apologize
 
It's OK, Keith. I thought your idea of the "parking brake" was a good idea and was happy to hear how it was implemented in the UK. The thread just started going off the rails with discussion of government actions. Yes, we can all find fault with governmental activities, but I wanted to keep that out of our forum.

I'm pretty sure your UK trailer design, using an "overrun process" has no electronically controlled braking, so the parking brake is a simple addition. Our magnetically actuated, electrical brakes would not be so easily modified. If you have tandem axles, then the "expanding" wheel chocks that you place between the wheels (on each side): Amazon.com would keep your trailer from moving I think, even on a steep incline. There are several different designs in that link. And, you might want to look at the trailer tongue jack chock I mentioned as well as ordinary wheel chocks against the front axle wheels as an additional blocking system. This looks like the tongue chock I use: Tongue Chock

- Jack
 
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Hi Jack..and tks for all the comments/suggestions.
Actually I found a workaround. Works on the Dexter fitted to the HiLo. They are electric drums exactly the same. They add a tag/linkage in the design, which comes thru base plate. A single cable leaves the handbrake lever, splits into two at first cross-member [Y design] one going to each drum [axle of choice]
From correspondence with them I think was originally for hydraulic system. Maybe more people like I asked the question so they added to electric system.
The drums are 270 pair [tho one could just use one, but feel that misses a point somewhat] The parking break set-up complete is around 350. That I feel isn't cheap, especially as the kit for the breakaway is included..which most of us probably have.
I have researched on various auto parts outlet, some are around $50 [for various cars/trucks] , Only drawback is correct cable length [the dedicated kit has from memory 180 inch or so]
If allowed...and anybody has interest, I could enclose links for the two products mentioned...which were mailed directly from Dexter
Tks again
 
As I previously noted, the handbrake kit is not cheap, but Im sure there's a few mechanically minded within this forum that could adapt a generic setup and save a few $$$$
 
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