Towing and braking with a 2 tonne load

[Didge]

Hi guys,

I'm potentially about to buy a boat and trailer with a total load of about 1800kg. Whilst I've previously used a car trailer to tow a Holden Barina with a total load of approx the same 1800kg, the towing was no problem and on that occasion I chose a very flat route home due to the dodgy braking in my old 110. That hired trailer had the hydraulic over ride brakes.

Given that I'm likely to be towing this boat between Southern end of Sydney and Port Macquarie (mid north coast of NSW) my question is related to other peoples experiences with braking using the over ride braked trailers and your poorly braking older defenders - how have you found the experience? Good, scary or dangerous?

I can't remember the actual motion and feeling of towing that size load but I expect the over ride brakes will give a little push when you hit the brakes and, given I'm flat out locking the wheels when braking on gravel, my concern is whether the over ride mechanism will actually come into effect before the trailer pushes me into any other obstacle. I don't know how hard I need to brake before the trailer brakes actually work.

Thanks in advance.
cheers Gerald

[Phil B]

Have you considered electric brakes or electric over hydraulic?
They take all the trailer braking load off the tow vehicle and are really good with adjustable brake force sensitivity etc

[W&KO]

Have you considered getting you defender brakes working properly....being in NSW don’t you brakes get tested annually?

Override hydraulic are OK, override cable are a pain although being on a boat trailer I’m guessing you’ll have override hydraulic.

[shack]

Is the "110" a defender?

If so the brakes on them are quite good when stock....if everything is working.

If it's older then they probably are lacking.

[Didge]

Have you considered electric brakes or electric over hydraulic?
They take all the trailer braking load off the tow vehicle and are really good with adjustable brake force sensitivity etc

Hi Phil, yes I've had a check with the local trailer guy who will do all sorts of brake installations and electric brakes are up around the $3K mark. He can do them but strongly recommended override disc brakes rather than electric. It currently has a hydraulic actuator on it but the condition looks rather dodgy.
cheers gerald

[Didge]

Have you considered electric brakes or electric over hydraulic?
They take all the trailer braking load off the tow vehicle and are really good with adjustable brake force sensitivity etc

Hi Phil, yes I've had a check with the local trailer guy who will do all sorts of brake installations and electric brakes are up around the $3K mark. He can do them but strongly recommended override disc brakes rather than electric. It currently has a hydraulic actuator on it but the condition looks rather dodgy.
cheers gerald

[Didge]

Is the "110" a defender?

If so the brakes on them are quite good when stock....if everything is working.

If it's older then they probably are lacking.

Hi Shack, yes it's a 95 model 300tdi defender and from what I've heard from lots of people is that they all have poor brakes. I've changed everything except the actual brake lines and calipers. I think a lack of vacuum is the main problem and I've had new vacuum pumps that have made zero difference. New booster, new seal kits, etc in master cylinder, new pistons and seals in calipers. Checked the vacuum line and one way valve and they're still very poor. Cannot lock the wheels on the blacktop over 60kmh.
cheers Gerald

[Didge]

Have you considered getting you defender brakes working properly....being in NSW don’t you brakes get tested annually?

Override hydraulic are OK, override cable are a pain although being on a boat trailer I’m guessing you’ll have override hydraulic.

Hi W&KO,

Please have a look at my reply to Shack regarding what I've done to the brakes. They pass the test but I suspect only just. I've been told by the trailer guy to go with the cable override but to ensure they are always adjusted properly, which due to insurance implications, I'm considering as an annual job for him and cost for me. If I adjust them, then I'm responsible whereas if the "expert" does it, then he's responsible. I do the brakes on the car though that could be the problem.
cheers Gerald

[W&KO]

Hi W&KO,

Please have a look at my reply to Shack regarding what I've done to the brakes. They pass the test but I suspect only just. I've been told by the trailer guy to go with the cable override but to ensure they are always adjusted properly, which due to insurance implications, I'm considering as an annual job for him and cost for me. If I adjust them, then I'm responsible whereas if the "expert" does it, then he's responsible. I do the brakes on the car though that could be the problem.
cheers Gerald

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.

[shack]

Hi Shack, yes it's a 95 model 300tdi defender and from what I've heard from lots of people is that they all have poor brakes. I've changed everything except the actual brake lines and calipers. I think a lack of vacuum is the main problem and I've had new vacuum pumps that have made zero difference. New booster, new seal kits, etc in master cylinder, new pistons and seals in calipers. Checked the vacuum line and one way valve and they're still very poor. Cannot lock the wheels on the blacktop over 60kmh.
cheers Gerald

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.