Braked & Un-braked trailers

[RussellH]

I went down to Mollie yesterday with an ex-motor mechanic friend, to clean up the brakes on the trailer.

We got the drums off, wire-brushed off the rust, greased the cables and the tensioner and then put it all back together. So far so good.

Then I got to thinking! Bad move!

The trailer is a braked trailer (I think - it should be for the weight) a Bramber RG2 1100 is says on the invoice from Humber, though it looks like an SRG with multiple rollers.

Yes there is a handbrake, and a safety strap to pull the handbrake on should the trailer ever break away. But where is the inertia (overrun) brake. Is it hidden in the coupling? Does it need any attention.

I've trolled the internet, but can't find a simple diagram illustrating the mechanism? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks, a confused,

Russell

[Hugh Jardon]

there might/should be grease nipples on the coupling so make sure these are well greased and the coupling moves in and out correctly, make sure the cable/rod is set up correctly so that when the coupling compresses the brakes are applied evenly, perhaps take for a spin and dab the brakes and make sure you can feel the trailer slowing the car slightly. It is a feel you can sense when you have been used to towing. you could jack the trailer up carefully so wheels are off ground, connect the car, spin the wheels and reverse the coupling in slightly to see when the brakes bite. Dangerous way of doing it so take care, but is what i would do. If in doubt then take it to a trailer specialist or phone them and ask what they would do.

Originally Posted by RussellH

I went down to Mollie yesterday with an ex-motor mechanic friend, to clean up the brakes on the trailer.

We got the drums off, wire-brushed off the rust, greased the cables and the tensioner and then put it all back together. So far so good.

Then I got to thinking! Bad move!

The trailer is a braked trailer (I think - it should be for the weight) a Bramber RG2 1100 is says on the invoice from Humber, though it looks like an SRG with multiple rollers.

Yes there is a handbrake, and a safety strap to pull the handbrake on should the trailer ever break away. But where is the inertia (overrun) brake. Is it hidden in the coupling? Does it need any attention.

I've trolled the internet, but can't find a simple diagram illustrating the mechanism? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Many thanks, a confused,

Russell

[Jono Garton]

Russell

The normal brakes uses the same cable and shoes as the hand brake. On the hitch you should see a gator (plastic/Rubber cover) over a piston and cylinder. When the car brakes, the trailer pushes forward and the piston goes in the cylinder which pulls the cables and applies the brakes. It is important to keep the piston well greased, if any rust on the piston sand off and polish the cylinder then grease. There is normally grease nipples in to the cylinder.

Hope this helps, if you get any probs give me a call while looking at it

[RussellH]

What an excellent forum this is! Two really helpful replies in just a few minutes.

All is clear now. In fact I found the grease nipples on the coupling, and greased them - working on the principle that they'd been put there for a purpose - now I understand what they're for. Many thanks.


Russell

[Hugh Jardon]

as you live a couple of miles down the road feel free to pop round and have a natter, we can compare trailers and i can show you how my sbs works etc, have totally refirbished my superroller coaster 7 so not much is a mystery any more on the trailer front

Originally Posted by RussellH

What an excellent forum this is! Two really helpful replies in just a few minutes.

All is clear now. In fact I found the grease nipples on the coupling, and greased them - working on the principle that they'd been put there for a purpose - now I understand what they're for. Many thanks.


Russell

[Tim M]

Get your self a free copy of the Indispention catalogue of spare parts. There are diagrams of most common couplings in there which shows all the parts.