1973 streury popup frame brake question

[slipperyd12]

I am starting my third camper with this popup frame. My question is: I would like to remove the brake stuff and clean up the hitch area on the frame, but I 'm not sure I should get rid of them. The frame is 6.5 by 10 and has 13 inch tires. I want to do a standy this time. I know nothing about the braking system other than it's a ugly mess on the frame. Had anyone removed it from their trailer?
Thanks

[eamarquardt]

Why would you want to remove the brakes? Depending upon how much your trailer ends up weighing you might need brakes to legally tow it depending upon where you are on the road (Florida doesn't require brakes until the trailer weighs 3000#).

Even though Florida law states 3000# some states require that you be able to stop in a certain distance or rate of deceleration (not that many highway patrolman could test or calculate your deceleration rate) or require trailers over 1500# to have functional brakes. Here in California, even if your trailer is registered in another state, if it weighs over 1500# you gotta have brakes.

Also, depending upon your tow vehicle it may not be prudent or safe to tow the trailer w/o brakes.

Better, IMHO, to clean em up, service them, and use them.

Cheers,

Gus

[danlott]

I had hydraulic brakes and a hydraulic surge coupler on my donor trailer that I removed. They were rusted and seized up, so could not be used. I replaced the hydraulic brakes with electric brakes, I was able to use the existing hubs. I then cut off the hydraulic coupler and replaced it with a standard coupler.

These are not the best photos to show this, but you can see my original hydraulic brakes and coupler in the first picture. The second picture is after I replaced them.





Dan

[slipperyd12]

Thanks for the reply, Dan that is exactly what I have. My thinking is these were only break away brakes.
Are you saying they are also used during normal braking? Yours sure looks alot cleaner. What all did you have to buy to change it over.
Thanks
John

[danlott]

Hydraulic brakes actually work really well. You do not need a electronic brake controller in your car to operate them, like you do with electric brakes. As you are braking the force of the trailer pushes on the hydraulic coupler, which send hydraulic fluid to the brakes. The brakes then slow your trailer down. Once you stop or accealerate the force is removed from the hydraulic coupler, so no more braking action.

The only reason I changed mine is because they were beyond repair and the coupler was more costly to replace than a standard coupler.

Dan

[Dale M.]

You can get new backing plates, brake assemblies and drums for about $200 -250 (plus shipping) at most online trailer suppliers you will also need a "break away" system that automatically applies brakes if your trailer should be come disconnected from TV.... In addition you will probably need to have some wiring added to TV for electric brake circuits and a under dash mount trailer brake controller..... In the end you will probably spend closer to $400 for braking system but its well worth it (dollar values are off top of my head - does not reflect actual pricing)...

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Brake_Controller.aspx
http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer ... rakes.aspx

Some tech talk that may help you make informed decision on how to proceed...

http://www.etrailer.com/article-categor ... ler-Brakes

By no means is this comprehensive or complete answer to your inquiry/problem but its a starting point...

Dale

[Shadow Catcher]

The one big disadvantage of surge breaks is in backing up, they, well, brake because they see it as deceleration. I would not ever have another trailer with out brakes, better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them!

[danlott]

If you still have the hubs from the hydraulic brakes all you should need to do is get some electric brake assemblies. You should be able to get them for about $70 for the pair, they will bolt to the same plates that the hydrualic brake assemblies mounted to. The old hubs you have should be able to be reused.

A standard coupler should cost about $30. Just grind out the welds from the hydrualic coupler and modify your tounge as needed to fit the new coupler.

You will need a break away switch and also a controller for your tow vehicle. You should be able to got all of those items and the wiring for $100.

So for about $200 you will be able to have brakes, very much worth it to me. Also it is a requirement in some states depending on size and weight of your trailer.

Dan

[H.A.]

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[slipperyd12]

Thanks for the help, decided to go electric. Removed all the hydraulic stuff from the hitch and ready to weld the ball coupling back on. Stripped all the frame and ready to sand and paint.