Thread: override verses electric brakes

G'day Damien, You can't go past over ride brakes for simplicity and looking at the relatively light load that you are carrying I would say that is probably the way to keep them. If you want better (and adjustable) braking, electric/hydraulic is the way to go especially with the breakaway function, but there is a lot of extra cost to justify if you go the electric/hydraulic way.

If you have electric brakes you can apply them independently from the controller. So in an off-road steep descent on loose surface, you can use them to pull the trailer back into a straight line behind you.

Electric brakes also means the trailer brakes with the car, not in relation to the car.

It does however mean that if it's towed by a vehicle without a brake controller, then you have no brakes.

Originally Posted by Michael2

If you have electric brakes you can apply them independently from the controller. So in an off-road steep descent on loose surface, you can use them to pull the trailer back into a straight line behind you.

Thats a good point! Think i'll look into this option
Now which electric brakes are best suited for offroad (if theres a difference)?

over ride brakes, the brakes you dont have when you think you have brakes on the trailer.

From a braking point of view, the electric brakes are clearly superior. But they are much more expensive and become even more so when you want to use more than one tow vehicle or if you change your tow vehicle. Depends on your circumstances.

John

Damien,
another option:

With all you and Matts junkers lying about:

-Pilfer the rear stub axles, hubs and calipers from a 'discofenderranga'
-Burn out a 12mm disc the same diameter as the stub axle.
-Drill the bolt pattern for stubs.
-Burn the disc onto the axle (cut the tapers off) or buy a length of 45mm square bar for a new axle.

-Bolt up the stubs and hubs, work a out a mounts for the calipers.

-Now run bundy to the calipers and then run a hydraulic over-ride hitch.

Now you have hydraulic overides... on a sub 1tonnne trailer they rock.
If you really want electric then stump up a gorilla for an electric over hydraulic unit.
Hydraulic over rides are pretty damn good & full size landy bearings will last a ba-zillion times longer than holden/ford bearings.

Overall will cost you bugger all AND be better than alco trailer junk.

Steve

Money's not really the issue, its more whats best for the situation.
plus my folks have an account at Al-ko

I put brakes on a camper that didn't legally require them as when I used to go down hills on dirt roads I couldn't safely apply the brakes. This was because the trailer would push the rear end of the Disco sideways. I couldn't see how override brakes would improve that situation so I went electric drum which definately does totally stop this from happening. I can now brake hard going down a dirt hill and the car behaves as if the trailer isn't even there.
It really depends on your use of the trailer but unless it is staying on the bitumen then electrically controlled brakes are the way to go.