Thread: Inline ball valve for brake lines

Not sure it is legal to do this. I would be doing some homework first.

What is your plan Weeds?

And yes, I think the legality is questionable...

Lol.....oh you guys apparently my camper trailer needs brakes when it weighs in at 1200kg

I fitting electric over hydraulic brakes and I had a sneak peak at a Kimberly camper at the van show on the weekend as they use a ball valve inline for the handbrake.....neat idea

a button near the brake pump on the trailer to trick it that you have pressed the brake pedal, once brakes have applied you turn the valve to lock them on......hydraulic handbrake

Kimberly would probably charge the earth for their bits and pieces

Contact Stauff Corporation.

Specify your fluid media...

A google will get you their online catalogue etc

Just make sure that the stem seal is EPDM and EPDM or PTFE seats.

There is a valve which is approved and legal for vehicle use to do what you want to do.
PBR make it and it costs a bomb.
It is used mainly on jndustrial vehicles as a extra parking brake.
The reason the trailer mob used a ball valve is cost.
Also the PBR valve is known to play up if exposed to the elements for long periods of time.
I army vehicle I used to drive many years ago called a M816 recovery truck had a electric solenoid operated valve that locked on the brakes and released them by pressing on the brake pedal harder.
So commercially legal valves are advailible.

Kimberleykruiser - Load Balanced Disc Brakes The only caravan in Australia that has a proven electronically activated system for greater confidence with less experienced drivers




https://www.google.com.au/search?q=h...w=1093&bih=538

Weeds,
Faced witht he same issue on this camper chassis Im building at the moment.
Instead of locking off the hydraulics as you suggest I have decided to run with an idea stole from someplace on the internets...

-Cut off the end of the axle from a tojo CV.
-Weld it to the centre of the flange that the stub axles bolt to.
-Then run a set of freewheeling hubs on the outside.
-For handbrake turn the freewheelers to lock and it will lock the hub to the axle which is welded to the fixed flange.
(bit slower than locking the hydraulics but means the caliper seals etc are not under pressure for extended periods and less chance of sticktion between the pads and rotors.
-Also means you can likely get some tricky reversing. Lock one hub, reverse back slowly and the trailer should jack knife 90 degrees on the locked wheel.
-With a set of those naff chrome covers I imagine it will be a good theft deterent too unless I keep telling the whole wide world about it

Just another idea...

S