Nearly every caravan now built has electric brakes fitted to the caravan. These brakes require an electric current from a brake controller mounted in your car, to make them operate. Any towed trailer or caravan that weights 750kg or more must be fitted with independent brakes. Electric are the most common type.
According to the Australian Design Rules, all trailers over 750kgs GTM (irrespective of the towing capacity or unladen mass of the tow vehicle) must have an effective brake system fitted.
Caravans or Trailers that exceed 2,000kg GTM must have brakes fitted to all wheels and have a system capable of automatically activating if the trailer comes away from the towing vehicle. These are a brake controller that is on the trailer with its own power.
How do electric brakes work?
Your caravan brake hubs have the traditional brake shoes inside, they rarely have disc brakes.
The magnet becomes activated when power is supplied from your brake controller. It is attracted to the inside flat face of the rotating brake hub (not shown). The rotating hub causes the magnet to rotate as shown. (The magnet is attached to a lever that pivots). When it pivots it causes both brake shoes to spread and apply your brakes.
The brake controller that gets installed into your car – on or near your dashboard, is what controls the power that gets sent to the magnet at your wheel.
The controller has a direct connection to your battery for the source of power. It also has a connection to the stop lights, usually from the switch at the brake pedal. This tells the unit to supply power to the magnet, via a direct wire from the controller. An earth is also required.
There are many brands and models of brake controllers available and AllBrand Caravan Services can recommend a great fit for your vehicle.
Fitting
We can completely fit or modify an existing fitting for your caravan or trailer. Our experienced team will look after your vehicle like it was their own.
The controllers may be mounted in a cradle under the dashboard or remotely with just the controls protruding through dashdoard.
Brands
Once again there are a huge range of factors to be considered when choosing electric brakes so we can talk you through the best fit for your setup when you give us a call or drop in. The better known brands include Redarc, Tekonsha Prodigy etc
Call us on (07) 3869 2969 to get your vehicle sorted.
