Pcd

[Tony Hillyard]

Morning everyone,

May I put my two cents in on this and explain something. One of the reasons René is going to so much trouble is the safety regulations in Europe are some of the toughest in the world.

Any trailer over 750kg gross weight (loaded) has to have brakes. Usually they are over-run brakes. I used to work for a Dutch trailer manufacturer (second largest in Europe) have a peek at their web site https://www.saris.net/en/

They build some really nice trailers. Galvanised is the norm with Aluminium also popular.

Our American friends will not like this but....... Europe is way ahead of the states when it comes to trailers, tow bars and trailer lighting. In the 1960's you used to see all sorts of home made crap being towed. Not any more, it's all very smart and safe.

Sorry about that folks.

[René W]

Thanks for your two cents Tony,for me it is a bit difficult to explain as i speak english so bad.
Trailers over 750 kg overhere also need an own title,under 750kg is free.
When you build a trailer bover 750kg you have to go to the scruteneering at the RDW and they can be very picky about evry small issue so to avoid this annoying mumbo jumbo i bought a trailer with a max gross weight of 749 kg,license free but with a brake system

[Tony Hillyard]

Here in France it's exactly the same. Both my Saris trailers, one car transporter and one general cargo with drop sides are both rated for 2000kg gross weight. So separate registration documents, separate insurance.

What we did not mention for our overseas friends is that there is an overall limit to what a car can tow. For example a normal two wheel drive car cannot tow more than it's own weight as this would make it unstable. For heavier loads you have to use a 4 x 4.

Which is why the science of trailer building has progressed so far in Europe. The use of folded galvanised steel chassis, light weight fixings etc. etc. to keep the weight of the trailers down.

Right down to all tow balls are a standard 50mm size and all the lighting plugs/sockets are interchangeable.

As I said, some of the toughest regulations in the world.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Tony Hillyard

Here in France it's exactly the same. Both my Saris trailers, one car transporter and one general cargo with drop sides are both rated for 2000kg gross weight. So separate registration documents, separate insurance.

What we did not mention for our overseas friends is that there is an overall limit to what a car can tow. For example a normal two wheel drive car cannot tow more than it's own weight as this would make it unstable. For heavier loads you have to use a 4 x 4.

Which is why the science of trailer building has progressed so far in Europe. The use of folded galvanised steel chassis, light weight fixings etc. etc. to keep the weight of the trailers down.

Right down to all tow balls are a standard 50mm size and all the lighting plugs/sockets are interchangeable.

As I said, some of the toughest regulations in the world.

There are all sorts of trailer laws here just noone enforces them. Ive seen plenty of 16' or bigger trailers that look like they got run over by a dump truck with 4 different sized tires and broken brakelights. I wish police would actually enforce the laws.

In IL we have to have plates on all our trailers no matter size or carrying ability. $18 a year for the plate fee but is usually covered under your auto insurance policy.

I wish we had a universal sized trailer ball. Theres only 2 plug types here in the states for wiring (flat 4 and round 7 pin)

UHAUL here all their trailers are fully galvanized but i hate towing them - so dang heavy.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Don't be fooled by the flat 4 trailer plugs. I discovered the terminals can be 2 different sizes. My trailer plug was a sloppy fit into my recently installed car plug, so I had to use a new trailer plug also. Maybe it was just poor quality control from China, but that never happens, does it.

[SeaSlugs]

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Don't be fooled by the flat 4 trailer plugs. I discovered the terminals can be 2 different sizes. My trailer plug was a sloppy fit into my recently installed car plug, so I had to use a new trailer plug also. Maybe it was just poor quality control from China, but that never happens, does it.

Yea stuff from harbor freight does not fit real well. Its not a whole lot more for slightly better and decent fitting stuff from walmart...

[René W]

Well,the spacers are done and the build of the trailer is making some progress.

[Synchro909]

Spacers/adaptors like that are not allowed over here. Maybe we are even ahead of Europe????

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by René W

Yes with cables,the neck of the trailer is two pieces,when you brake the pieces are sliding together and a lever operates the cables who operate the brakes.
About the five stud pcd....i know how to measure it

It doesn't look like you have the two levels that I pointed out in post #3.

Charlie Stephens

[René W]

I welded these spacers on to the brake drums,full welds around.
Don't know if it is legal and really don't care about it.
The trailer is under 750kg gross weight and is registration free,no one cares.
And yes,the welding will never come loose,don't worry i am a professional welder.
It was the only way to make the fit,the four bolt pattern of the drums was fighting the five bolt of the spacer.

[René W]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

It doesn't look like you have the two levels that I pointed out in post #3.

Charlie Stephens

The pictures don't show the levels,later i copied the model a drum surface on to the spacers.The picture just shows them under constuction.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by René W

As I live in a crowded area of Holland sometimes you need good brakes to avoid them idiots in their BMW's who think they own the road, so that's the reason I want a trailer with brakes, just for safety reasons.

Which brings up the question; What is the difference between a porcupine and a BMW?

The porcupine has it's pricks on the outside and the BMW has a... well you get the idea. It is interesting though that BMW drivers are looked upon the same way in Holland.

[updraught]

>>lever operates the cables who operate the brakes.

If the skinny tyres lock up and slide ... then how do the trailer brakes come on?

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by updraught

>>lever operates the cables who operate the brakes.

If the skinny tyres lock up and slide ... then how do the trailer brakes come on?

I think that simple mechanism must be the first ABS. As the coupling slides, the brakes come on till they are working well enough to not slide any further and stabilise at that. Things like the width of the tyres and weight of the trailer are all automatically taken care of. To do that these days, a car manufacturer would need a bucket full of electronics, sensors and computers!

[updraught]

I really, like really, like being able to stop at a red light.

Electric brakes for me. They come on before the car, and help the whole shebang to stop.

PS. I guess it is not so much of a problem in the Netherlands where buying a contour map is not good value, but if touring in Switzerland the electric brakes can be applied manually on a long downhill.

[René W]

The brakes are operated by pushingn in the pullbar,as soon as the trailer slows down the pullbar is pulled out and the brakes released.....if the car is still braking the pullbar is pushed in again...........and so on.
This way the trailer brakes never lock up.
As Updraught mentioned Swiserland.......downhill the brakes will do the same.
Overhere in Europe i have never seen a caravan or small trailer with electric brakes,the system i use is common on all.
heavy trucks and trailers use air brakes ofcourse but caravans and small trailers use all this type of brakes.

[katy]

I've seen similar setups using hydraulics.

[SeaSlugs]

must have smooth roads over-there to have a non sprung trailer :P speaking of i have to replace wheel bearings and shackles on our 4'x8' trailer this year...

[JDupuis]

Hey René, the trailer is looking great. . Jeff

[René W]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

must have smooth roads over-there to have a non sprung trailer :P speaking of i have to replace wheel bearings and shackles on our 4'x8' trailer this year...

The trailer has independent rubber suspension,if it is to bouncy shocks can be mounted.