Towing and braking with a 2 tonne load

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Originally Posted by W&KO

No worries......didn’t think cable override would have been first selection for a boat trailer. I’ve never owned a boat trailer big enough to have brakes.

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My previous boats have all been small but this one weighs quite a bit. I do think I need the car brakes checked though and it may well be time to get an expert in for an assessment.
cheers Gerald

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Originally Posted by shack

I've got two 130 300 tdi defenders, the brakes are good, I'd strongly suggest you test what vacuum the pump is making, and then what brand of pads. When the pump is faulty they are awful.

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Hi Shack, I think you're right- the vacuum is woeful. People pulling in front of me and sudden braking are always a bit of a scary experience because it's a bit like trying to stop a train. One young (and I might say stupid) Deliveroo scooter rider stopped on a button just as lights turned orange and I was accelerating behind him. Normally, another car would've followed me through the lights and this guy was so lucky we wasn't roadkill.
cheers Gerald

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Originally Posted by Didge

Hi Shack, I think you're right- the vacuum is woeful. People pulling in front of me and sudden braking are always a bit of a scary experience because it's a bit like trying to stop a train. One young (and I might say stupid) Deliveroo scooter rider stopped on a button just as lights turned orange and I was accelerating behind him. Normally, another car would've followed me through the lights and this guy was so lucky we wasn't roadkill.
cheers Gerald

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Do you travel on dirt tracks? If so can you easily lock up the wheels when braking? You should be able too without much drama.

Cheers
James

I have a 1998, 300 tdi 130. It stops on a dime. Have you checked your wheel bearings as an out of adjustment (Loose) will effect your brakes. Not much difference between adjusted and loose. Baz

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Originally Posted by W&KO

No worries......didn’t think cable override would have been first selection for a boat trailer. I’ve never owned a boat trailer big enough to have brakes.

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G'day - now the trailer guy has opted for the hydraulic override system - all up now costing around $1400 odd.
cheers Gerald

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Originally Posted by Bazzle218

I have a 1998, 300 tdi 130. It stops on a dime. Have you checked your wheel bearings as an out of adjustment (Loose) will effect your brakes. Not much difference between adjusted and loose. Baz

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Hi Baz, thanks for the advice but yes wheel bearings are all good - I even went to the trouble of getting a small torque wrench to do them properly - they're only nipped up lightly really.
cheers Gerald
As I said earlier, I think I'll get it seen to by professionals because the vacuum is definitely woeful and she pulls up like an oil tanker.

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Originally Posted by shack

I've got two 130 300 tdi defenders, the brakes are good, I'd strongly suggest you test what vacuum the pump is making, and then what brand of pads. When the pump is faulty they are awful.

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Yes shack, I'm definitely going to take your advice on that one - these have never been good.
cheers Gerald

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Originally Posted by Didge

G'day - now the trailer guy has opted for the hydraulic override system - all up now costing around $1400 odd.
cheers Gerald

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Hey what's the advantage of the hydraulic system? Is that because it's better for submersed applications?

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Originally Posted by Slunnie

Hey what's the advantage of the hydraulic system? Is that because it's better for submersed applications?

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Good question, no idea really - maybe it costs more so its better for him. My guess would be the cables could stretch a bit and be harder to adjust.

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Originally Posted by shack

Do you travel on dirt tracks? If so can you easily lock up the wheels when braking? You should be able too without much drama.

Cheers
James

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Hi James, forgot to reply to your question about dirt roads - I haven't done much 4wdriving of late but hope to soon again but yes, on wet bitumen at slow speed (say 50kmh) I can lock them if I stop on the pedal and on dirt roads yes, but no chance when driving at speed on suburban roads.
cheers gerald