Dog trailer brakes

[Jabbawocky]

Hoping to get up into the Dales camping in the Dormobile next year and want to build a trailer like the old Club trailer, for the dogs to sleep in. Will be used to transport logs, fire pits, etc.



I have absolutly no spare cash for this project, so cannot buy proper trailer running gear like we did with the Club trailer. I am going to use a spare rear axle I have and rig hydraulic brakes, but what can I do to get a hand brake? Looked for ages on ebay for cheap trailer hubs that would take LR wheels, but there is nowt in my price range.

Anyone done anything like this? I suppose I could just make chocks, but would really like a hand brake as well!

Cheers Mick

[RMS]

Without wanting to spend any money, can you rig a handbrake to operate the hydraulics?

Not for long term use as it could cause leakage problems, but it should be good enough to hold when uncoupling etc.

Cheers,
Robin.

[AlexB]

what do you want brakes for?

I haven't even got them on my double axle sheep trailer and the sheep are heavier than your hound(s)

[Jabbawocky]

what do you want brakes for?

I haven't even got them on my double axle sheep trailer and the sheep are heavier than your hound(s)

Louise insists on them for some reason? Cannot think for the life of me why?

Without wanting to spend any money, can you rig a handbrake to operate the hydraulics?

Not for long term use as it could cause leakage problems, but it should be good enough to hold when uncoupling etc.

That is most likely the answer. Just use the handbrake long enough to get the chocks under the wheels and then let it off.

Probably won't get on with it for a while. Just been thinking whilst grouting floor tiles.

Cheers Mick

[romanyrose]

G'day matey, i had a spare caravan chassis at a friends where a 109 and caravan were parked but could not bring it back to my place due to the blackberries covering it although not landrover wheel size it has a hand brake/rod brakes and you could make the tub what ever size you wanted also having a winder in each corner for the legs would be good and it's free.

Just a thought. Brad .

[Dormy]

can you rig a handbrake to operate the hydraulics?

Not for long term use as it could cause leakage problems

IIRC, I have seen a few trailers (horseboxes?) in the past with hydraulic brakes where the handbrake was linked to the master cylinder. Fairly certain the same setup was on the Army's 1 3/4 ton Arrow trailers we used to pull behind the TK/MK trucks and I don't remember leaking seals being a problem.

Ian

[Jabbawocky]

Hi Brad

Thanks for the offer, you are a gent, but already have a caravan chassis sat here I bought off ebay for £15 a couple of years ago. I think it is off a Eriba caravan? It presently has hydraulic brakes and a mechanical handbrake, but has been sat for ages. It is also well buried at the back of my yard and until I shift a Land Rover or two, I cannot get it out to see how everything works.

As I said in the first post, the big problem is it uses very small wheels and they would look daft in the rear wheel arch of a LWB tub. The chassis has independant suspension, with the hubs mounted on wishbones. My plan is to remove the caravan hubs and weld on LR hubs in their place.

As I never leave any vehicle for a long time with the hand brake on, I think hydraulic brakes will be fine. I am more concern that as the trailer will not be used as much as a vehicle, the brakes cylinders may seize up. I always use rubber grease behind the rubbers on cylinders and this seams to be working on the cheap cylinders I have used recently.

I will keep you all informed once I start, but there are a lot of jobs to do first.

Thanks for all your input.

Cheers Mick

[RMS]

As I said in the first post, the big problem is it uses very small wheels and they would look daft in the rear wheel arch of a LWB tub.

You mean like this Mick?



This was a trailer frame I made from scaffold tube and an axle from a trailer tent with 12" wheels to drag a Carawagon body from Truro.

Of course I made it in 1980 so no SVA needed

Cheers,
Robin.

[Jabbawocky]

Of course I made it in 1980 so no SVA needed

If the truth be know, I inherited my Land Rover trailer from my farther when he passed away 15 years ago. I'm just trying to take the glory for all his hard work.

Mick

[w3526602]

Hi,

The early S2 LWB brakes can ... I think ... be modified to have a rod/cable operated hand brake to each rear wheel, and still retain the hydraulics. It looks like the wheel cylinders were designed for hand brakes, and Land Rover cut the extra bit off. Er ... I happen to have a pair of back-plates complete with expanders and adjusters from an S2. But not sure if I want to let them go. They occasionally appear on Ebay.

Thinking outside the box ... as you are already using a LR axle, how about hanging a LR gearbox in front of it, and utilise that hand brake. Then, if you could incorporate a starter motor, you could have an electric mover, which you will need with all that weight. Or shall I just get my coat.

Keep in mind, thjaty a SWB has an ULW of about 25cwt, so any unbraked trailer must not exceed 12.5cwt GVW. Unless they have chanmged the rules.

602