Air Trailer Brakes

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

My understanding is the break away electric systems will work through the standard 7 pin plug.

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Ron

They will BUT.

The problem is that with a greater than 2 tonne GTM trailer with electric brakes the regulations state that the trailer battery MUST BE CONTINUOUSLY CHARGED FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE.

Under ADRs the 7th pin is designated as the reversing light circuit with the other 6 being taken up by earth, tail, stop, L & R flashers and the service brakes. On your own trailer you could delete the reversing lights and use that to charge the battery but you would have to remember if you borrowed or hired a trailer.

The only way you can get the auxilliary power under ADR's is with the 12 pin type and how many people use that. No trailer hire people that I know.

Diana

I am of the understanding the modern systems recharge via stop and parking brake circults if required as the gel cell batteries fitted have ample capacity.
Many trailers are running around with a 7 pin plug on a break away electric system legal or not and are being factory fitted that way.

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

I am of the understanding the modern systems recharge via stop and parking brake circults if required as the gel cell batteries fitted have ample capacity.
Many trailers are running around with a 7 pin plug on a break away electric system legal or not and are being factory fitted that way.

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If your only going to use it for a gel cell battery or even a motor cycle battery you could probably get away with it, although the standard light wiring on my 1985 RRc is pathetic mostly only 2mm including the insulation, so I would not be all that bappy about charging much more than a gelcell.

The other option would be one of those solar trickle chargers with the tail light charge as well.

C Ya

Diana

whens the last time you saw a trailer with reversing lights?

memory is a bit sketchy on this one but IIRC the flat 7 pin plug will plug into a 12 pin socket

What Diana said :D

"Prodigy electric controller"
Best on the market. I swap mine between the Ford Falcon and Discovery. Both are wired for it and it sits in a plastic cradle in both vehicles.

Cheers,

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

Photos with my 101 with the boat trailer fitted with vacuum break away over ride brakes, but the 101 is not ,so the trailer can operate as a mechanical over ride....

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Big boat trailers are one area where vacuum mechanical (discs) will always remain the standard. Electric brakes don't like being imersed in water, particularly salt water, all that much.

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Originally Posted by Sprint

whens the last time you saw a trailer with reversing lights?

memory is a bit sketchy on this one but IIRC the flat 7 pin plug will plug into a 12 pin socket

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Today, my car trailer has them, have you ever tried reversing a trailer at night when the trailer disapears into the gloom?

Yes the 7 pin flat is a part of the design of the 12 pin double row flat.

Diana

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Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Big boat trailers are one area where vacuum mechanical (discs) will always remain the standard. Electric brakes don't like being imersed in water, particularly salt water, all that much.

Today, my car trailer has them, have you ever tried reversing a trailer at night when the trailer disapears into the gloom?

Yes the 7 pin flat is a part of the design of the 12 pin double row flat.

Diana

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yup, thats why everyone i know who tows car trailers has decent reversing lights on thier tow vehicle..... lol

but yes, i can appreciate what you're saying

Just get this straight......go to any boat shop and buy a boat and trailer over 2 tonnes and these days you will get four wheel brakes hydraulic disc operated via electric motor,supplying hydraulic pressure .
The eletrohydraulic unit is supplied via gel battery pack.
The battery and electro hydraulic is usually mounted on the draw bar.
The battery is recharged via the trailers electrical plug'
This system is standard on most trailers to 4tonne GVM boat or not..
The reason is cost and easier fitting.
Sorry but go to a trailer retailer and ask for a vacuum break away system and they will not want to know you or say the vacuum system is not advailible any more and the electric system is better.
The fact is vacuum is more expensive and PBR who make the parts know this too.
In fact some of the repair kits are not advaillible any more .
The components are now recommended to be replaced with new components only which are expensive.
Even the NSW RTA are pushing batery electric break away systems.
How do I know this .......I have been looking at up grading the vacuum system on my boat trailer knowing when it sh@ts it self I can not get the parts at a good price.
Boat trailer brakes are a common subject in any boating mag and should be read
Vacuum IS OLD HAT>>>>>FACT

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Originally Posted by Sprint

yup, thats why everyone i know who tows car trailers has decent reversing lights on thier tow vehicle..... lol

but yes, i can appreciate what you're saying

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Sprint

I agree with you about good reversing lights on vehicle, however on a car trailer loaded with a big lump of a Land Rover all you get is a technicolour wide screen view of the front of the vehicle on the trailer and nothing behind the trailer. I know people who will turn off the extra vehicle reversing lights so they can see whats going on behind the trailer.

Ron

Yes I agree there will be no big comeback of vacuum systems because, as you said, the electric systems are cheaper to install.

However while I have vacuum systems and the availability of vacuum braked trailers I see no reason to remove the system. That and the intention to buy a vintage caravan with it's vacuum brake system.

Cheers
Diana

You could use an Anderson plug for charging a battery on the trailer.

A 7 pin flat on the trailer will fit into a 12 pin on your car.

I have a 12 pin on both my cars and don't run 7 pin falt,s on the car any more.