Airstream 27" Overlander 1970 Brakes

[Luc_DK]

Hi all

I have found an old Airstream 1970 Overlander 27" here in scandinavia i would like to buy.
but the brakes dosn't work or not connected...

so hope someone can help me with some info.

i have a few questions about the brakes..
i dont want to drive 600 miles without brakes..

are they electric ? 12v from the rear 12v accumulator ?

how does it work ?

is it trigged by the stop signal ?

i can se a electric "switch" in front is't for emergency brake ?
see picture:

where can i find a diagram/schematic over the brakesystem ?


regards
Peter

[Lothlorian]

Peter:

Welcome to the forums. You probably need new axels. That is the advice I got when I bought my 1973 27' Overlander. I tried everything possible to justify why I did not need new axels. Finally I broke down and bought axels with new brakes. There are numerous articles in this forum about brakes and axels. I would not fix the brakes if you need new axels. Odds are you need axels.

Have you checked the floor for rot especially in the bathroom and what kind of shape is black tank in under the toilet. These are the areas I would also check. Does your hot water heater work?

Lothlorian

[richinny]

the brake systems in Europe are different than those used here in the USA. europe also uses a mechanical parking brake, we don't have any parking brakes.

has it been converted?

electric drum brakes require an "electric brake controller" that is triggered by the tow vehicle brakes and regulated the power to the trailer brakes.

disk brakes are similar but are more complicated.

[Luc_DK]

Hi Lothlorian

thanks for the answer

i know of the new axels/brake problem here in europa, but i was hoping i could do a quick repair of the brakes so i can transport it home (600 miles) with the brakes working.
without brakes i'm only allowed to drive 30 km/h (19 miles)
i have checked the floor in the bathroom or tank.
but i found a 15x15 inch hole in the floor under the sink in the kitchen.

it's not in perfect condition, but it refleks in the price..
if i want a total perfect one, it will cost 30.000 - 40.000 $ over here...

how can i check the tank ? i tried to look under the trailer from outside but nothing to see here. it's total "closed" with a big thin metal plate

Regards
Peter

[Luc_DK]

Hi ricky

thanks for the answer

It has not been converted yet, but i need to replace the axels and brake system to get it inspected here in europe and it's very expensive, so i was hoping to find some advice in here, which EU axels and brakes will fit in 1970 27' overlander.

and i hoped i could connect the brake signal from my car direct to the brake system on the trailer, so i could tranport it home with more the 30 km/h (19 miles).
but i understand i need a brake controller installed in my car..

what is the little electric unit on the picture i attached ?
it looks like a part of the brakesystem.. 2 wires connected to the unit..

regards
Peter

[Minno]

Also welcome to the forums!

The little silver round box is the breakaway switch for the electric brakes. Normally, there is a metal lanyard (cable) attched to the small round thingy on the front, and that is connected to the tow vehicle. In case the trailer becomes un-hitched from the tow vehicle, the lanyard will pull the pin out of the middle of the breakaway switch. This will activate the electric brakes with the trailer's battery, cause the brakes to basically lock up the trailer tires and stop the trialer before it hits anything (in theory anyway). It's a last-ditch saftey device. Note that you need a charged battery on the trailer in order for the breakaway switch to work. No battery, no brakes when the pin is pulled.

Chris

[Luc_DK]

Hi Chris

thank.
it was exactly what I thought it was for..
i will bring a fully charged batteri to test the brakes..
but the Airstream has not been moved the last 6 years, so i'm not sure the brakes still will work.

regards
Peter

[remcolent]

Hi peter.
What car do you want to tow the airstream with?
I do not see any Weight distribution parts on the photo.
You write that the Airstream has not moved in 6 years.
Gues that the tires needs replacing.
The wheelbearings are not in good shape also.
Than you need to get a brake controler.

Counting all these things I gues it is a safer and maby even cheaper option to transport the airstream on a trailor.
Remco

[Luc_DK]

Hi Remco

i have a Cadillac from 1959 to tow the airstream, 2 times a year.
but i will tow the Airstream home with my Chrysler Grand Voyager.

the tires was replaced 4-5 years ago (the trailer was moves 100 miles to a new owner)
and he didn't have the time to restore it, so after 5 years it's still in the same place and condition, so he want to sell now...

i think i will look for a brake controller.
can you recommend a model ?
i work with electrical thing daily so i think it will be easy for me to install,

which signals comes out of the brakecontroller ? on/off 12v or is it a analog signal to increase the brakes (how "hard" the trailer brakes)

i have also thought of trailer transport, but it think it will too expensive.


Regards
Peter

[remcolent]

Peter.
A brake controler is not a on/off switch

I gues that you have a european hitch on your voyager.
What is the max hitch weight for that.
I gues around 75 or 100 kilo's ( 165 - 220 lbs )
And what is the hitch weight on your airstream ? I can arure you that it will be a LOT more.
Even with a proper weight distribution systen the voyager will be a marginal tow vehicle at best.
DO NOT take a risk here

Remco

[Luc_DK]

Hi Remco

yes it's correct we only have 75-100 kg on the hitch here in europa, and the airstream is set to 200kg (450-460 lbs). so it's 100% over, but i will try to compensate with some weight in the rear end of the AS. it might help a little..

my cadillac 1959 is set to tow 6000 lbs and 600 lbs on the hitch and still i'm only allow to have MAX 100 kg on the hitch, it's a safety issue, i think the hitch can handle more.
i will drive it slowly so i'm not much concern about the weight, i'm more concerned to drive it without the brakes, i think i will buy a brake controller and install it to transport it home..

/Peter

[tphan]

Peter- Denmark is so flat that having the trailer brakes work for your "slow" trip home might not be an issue. The bigger issue might be with the Voyager, as Remcolent points out. What will the police say about either issue, if you are pulled over for some reason? Hope it all goes well, and you get your new trailer home safely. Lykke til, og ha det riktig bra! -tim

[remcolent]

Tphan Denmark has some hils and Luc want to tow 600 miles with a voyager.

Luc you are taking a BIG risk here.
The airstream has been on the same spot for 5 years.
Even if the tires look brand new they are 5 years old and most likely need to be replaced.
The wheel bearings will need new grease at least before you start a 600 miles trip.
Bringing the nose weight down by putting extra weight in the back of the airstream is NOT a good Idea.
You have no weight distribution gear and/or anty sway controll.
Please at least lend or hire a tow vehicle that can handle the airstream.
Why do you not pick the airstream up with your cadillac.
You want to travel slow, but what is slow?
I would not dare to go over 40 mph with a voyager and a 27 ft airstream without WD hitch.
I once towed my 32 ft with a range rover without WD and no brake controler.
That was only for 4 miles but I will never try to do something like that again.
I almost lost it a 35 mph.
Think about what you want to do.
If you get in a acident and lose the airstream it is only material dammage.
If something goes realy wrong and a 3th person gets insjured ore killed you are in real big problems.

[Luc_DK]

Hi Remco

i will re-think it over again..
i know the Chrysler grand voyager ain't a great tow vehicle, but i have towed a RV on 1600 kg without any problem (100kg on the hitch).
it has a Diesel engine and manuel gear ( europe version).

slow for me is about 30-35 mph.
i'm only allowed to drive 45 mph and 50 mph on higways with and RV behind and without brakes it's only 20 mph.

it would be nice to give it new grease. can i get to the bearings if i take off the wheels only? or do i have to take the brakesystem etc ? i dont know how the electric looks..

i dont want to drive the cadillac 2x 600 miles to collect the RV it's only our weekend driver when the weather is nice :-)
it's also much more expensive in gasoline.

thanks for your input and time, i will reconsider, maybe borrow another tow...

/Peter

[remcolent]

Hi peter
To regrease the bearings you need to take the drums of.
But that is verry simple to do.
Why are electrick brakes not alowed??
The old smv trailors also have electrick brakes.
If you can borrow something like a chevy C20, dodge 2500 or ford F250.
You can bring her home in a safe way.
600 miles @ 35 mph is a real long drive.
I'm in the netherlands and we are now alowed to tow 90 kmh.
I do try to keep it below 100 kmh but on longer trips its more like 115 kmh.
But that is with a chevy C30 dually, weight distribution an brake controler.
My first airstream a 1973 27 ft overlander i towed with a 1957 imperial.
with a good setup 100/110 kmh was no problem
Be carefull.
Remco

[Luc_DK]

Hi Remco

thanks for info.

i dont know why electric isn't allow in denmark. safety i guess, if the batteri in the RV is dead you dont have any brakes..
it is correct that SMV (swedish RV's) also have electric, a friend one have one, but he have changed the brakes here in denmark to get it inspected.

In Denmark the speed limit is 70 kmh, 80 kmh on the highway ( 100 kmh if you get speciel test which last for 2-3 years) tempo i think they have the same in germany.

great to hear about your Imperial 1957 it is a nice setup i just love the tri years of classic US cars 57-59.
I think the my cadillac 1959 can tow the same (390 cui engine)
so 27 ft it is

tanks for your time

/Peter

[Luc_DK]

Hi

I finaly got my "new" Airstream home safe behind the Chrysler Grand Voyager..
no problem at all. everything went just fine..


but i want to buy a brake controller and i'm thinking of Prodigy from Tekonsha.
i found it at Rjay.com (100 $) but they charge 100 $ for shipping to europe !!
usps charge 13$ (4 pounds)..

can someone recommend a company which sends to Europe ?


regards
Peter