Thread: Towing braked trailers

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

This discussion got me thinking,

Why do caravans (often weighing less than 3 tons) need an electric brake while other 3.5T plant trailers don't have one?
My 3.5T Brian James trailer doesn't have any electric brakes and no safety chain (I can understand this part).
The trailer comes with 7-pin plug, a carabiner clip for the mechanical over-ride brake and that's it.

Am I missing something here or does a 3.5T plant trailer need an electric brake too?

Nup, your BJ trailer has brakes that I was referring to in an earlier post and its a whole different set up to electric. Its rated to 3.5T on mechanical 4 wheel braked drums, ECU approved.
Electric drum brakes are electromagnetic, which use varying voltage (0-12v) to apply the brake force via a magnet that tries to attach itself to a rotating drum face and cam on the brake shoes.