Europe you can help me ....towing in europe

[puppybear]

hi ... i have just bought a 27 ft 1965 overlander and am in the process of getting it shipped over th the uk . i am not sure if i will tow it yet but i want it set up so i can if i want to tow at a later date . help . what do i need to do to the hitch or electric socket so the lights work and what help can you give me about the electric brakes ........ please any constructive information will help . someone should be able i hope to help .......
thanks steve

[JanB]

The US hitch is 2 inches - UK is 50 mm, electrics will have to be changed - US model runs off 110 volts input, as you know UK is 240 volts. Think the braking system is different too . The maximum length you can tow with a non commercial vehicle is 7 metres (excluding drawbar and coupling), width 2.3 metres. This link gives you the legal details for towing:
NTTA Guide to Safe & Legal Towing
Good luck

[overlander63]

The ball coupler should be 2 inch, unless it has been changed in the course of its life.
The trailer brakes are 12 volt electromagnetic. The braking force varies according to the amount of voltage applied, from 0-12 volts. A brake controller needs to be mounted in the tow vehicle to activate them. The most basic type currently available is a pedulum type, which applies more or less voltage to the brakes depending on what angle the pendulum is. It will only apply power to the brakes when the brake pedal is depressed, so the brakes will not activate when simply going downhill.
The high-voltage components are 120 volt, 60 cycle. The easiest way to deal with this is to get a converter to go from euro standard 240 down to 120, otherwise you will have to replace every item that is 120. This would include, but not be limited to, the air conditioner, Univolt (battery charger/power supply), fridge, and any other appliances and lights that are not 12 volt.
Also, be aware the trailer will have a tongue weight of 400-600 pounds, depending on what is in the trailer. Most euro models have a tongue weight of around 100 pounds or so.