Brakes for a Widget?

[TwinRon]

Hi,

I’m just starting out on a project to build a TTT and it looks like the Widget type of design is what I’m looking for. The Widget design and drawings from Angib http://www.angib.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/t ... tear50.htm are excellent and the photo examples I’ve seen on this forum are highly commendable – more than enough to build one. But no doubt I’ll customise a few things as I go.

Starting at the beginning; there one thing I’m not too sure about and that is should it be braked? I see that none of the Widgets I’ve spotted have brakes and I realise the laden weight of a Widget is near to the maximum permitted weight without the need for brakes the UK. But although it will add to the cost are there any benefits in including brakes or is unbraked adequate?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Ron

[boxcar]

It all depends on the tow rig. If the expected weight of the trailer exceeds 1/3rd the weight of the tow rig then yes it is advisable to build with brakes.
...Boxcar...

[angib]

As you are building in Britain, then you should not even think about whether to fit brakes or not - the answer is yes.

Because we use mechanical cable/rod-operated brakes in Europe, I can see no reason why you wouldn't fit brakes to a trailer that could grow in weight and has the space to carry a fair bit of stuff.

Legally, you might just be able to get away without brakes - my laden weight estimate for the Widget 6 is 1640lb, which is 744kg, so it just scrapes under the 750kg unbraked trailer limit. But why take the risk? Towing this weight of trailer, even with your large car, will be more pleasant with brakes.

All you need to add is the (fairly expensive - maybe £100 more than unbraked) coupler, the braked axle and some rods/cables/fittings to connect the bits. In exchange you get a 'free' parking brake and usually a tough jockey wheel mounting bracket.

Andrew

[TwinRon]

Hi,

At the moment I tow a 10’ Ifor Williams twin axel trailer with my Volvo 940 estate, mainly in connection with my work. It has drum brakes fitted as standard and of course they are essential even when the trailer is empty. So I was surprised to see that all the Widgets photo’d here don’t seem to have any brakes at all. So I’ll take it that brakes are a must.

Next question; I like the idea of the lowered floor section to give a bit more headroom. I see that some make this as a well in the floor but is there any reason why the chassis can’t be modified to continue the well to one edge of the chassis? (Taller door and continuous floor to the door frame). Presumably this would mean chopping a section out of the main chassis section and welding a bit of SHS or angle at the appropriate level – any ideas?

Is there a practical lower limit to this lowered floor section to give adequate ground clearance?

Cheers

Ron