Brake sizes

[Pedro_The_Swift]

During my (first and) last brake inspection/adjustment on the van, I noticed with dismay the obvious age of the everything attached to the backing plates, plenty of meat on ( 3 out of 4) the shoes, just everything else looked twenty years old.
I asked a local horse float builder about backing plates to suit a 235 alko drum.
He said they are a 9" and no longer made,
and the current OZ standard is 10".
All the drums and bearings are fine(bearings less than two years old).

Anybody actually KNOW what the rules say?

I'd actually like to keep the 4wheel brakes if possible.

[slug_burner]

I doubt anyone has legislated what size brake drums you should use. Even if they have, laws are seldom retrospective.

It might be just a case of the parts getting harder to find so you might be forced to change due to availability.

Try alko for backing plates.

[harlie]

The “rules” are this – reworded for simplicity.

The rated load carrying capacity of all components must be equal to or higher than the rated GTM (weight on wheels) of the trailer. Of course the actual weight on wheels must be equal or less than the rated GTM.

So, when your 9 inch set was sold it would have had a manufacturer specified capacity rating, as long as that is higher than what it is carrying it is legal.

As far as current OZ standard – that’s crap. I’ve just built another trailer, and every time I’ve fine combed the ADRs and several other standards and there is no reference to brake size, it is always manufacturers specs. Ironically it does specify little things like exactly where you need to fit clearance & tail lights and reflectors ect, and hardly any of the pro built campers / trailers are complying – caravans yes.

HOWEVER, they usually will specify a maximum wheel size for the smaller brakes. The component manufacturer I have used lists 9 inch brakes on 45sq axle with a capacity of 1450kg with 14’ wheels / 1200kg with 15 or 16’ wheels. I would not to do it myself on a new build (this is a caravan few yrs old?), the small brakes would be working and hot but it is legal. You need to go up in size for 1450 with 16

Both Alko and Dexter still make and sell 9' sets and parts in Aus - but they won't be commonly stocked by smaller repairers.



I'd actually like to keep the 4wheel brakes if possible.
yeah - I would rather have 4 x 9inch brakes than 2 x 10inch.

As mentioned above – they won’t retrospect changes anyway, if it is already registered, and it is introduced to the standard now, you’re clear.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Thanks Harlie;)
I do plan on going to 14"s,, I'm thinking the tyres would be easier to replace (than LT 13's in uppercumbuctawest. (or broome or ---)

I would love to brake test both axels, it would relieve a lot of concerns--

will google dexter;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

not a lot to show for the last 30 mins searching--
neither of those two companies list 9" electric brakes(that I could find--)
this is the link to alko-
AL-KO Website » Brakes (http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle-technology/product-catalogue/drum-brakes/electric/brakes/)

its interesting how the 13/14's can carry more load than the 15/16's.
but thats with a 10" drum--

maybe i just replace individual bits-
linkage arms and magnets,,

[Pedro_The_Swift]

just a few years old--;)
1990 I believe,,
4wheel electric brakes in 1990 would have been cutting edge;):p
We have friends with a 2007 Jayco around the same size,, and we both hate the insides,, all white formica --yuk!
Give us old fashioned varnished timber anytime!:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/352.jpg