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03-03-2013, 03:40 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1969 18' Caravel
Augusta
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 86
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Do I need brakes?
We just bought a 69 caravel and are hoping to take her to the smokies soon. Do we have to get the brakes hooked up or do you think we can tow it as is? I am a bit concerned about the mountains...
__________________
Caroline
1969 Caravel "Sylvie"
moderninthesouth.blogspot.com
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03-03-2013, 04:00 PM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
1988 32' Excella
Bonita
, California
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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Depends on what your towing with. Ford explorer might be a little on the lite side. Probably need the brakes.
__________________
Happiness only real when shared.
Christopher Johnson McCandless
2/12/68 - 8/18/92
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03-03-2013, 04:12 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Modern South
We just bought a 69 caravel and are hoping to take her to the smokies soon. Do we have to get the brakes hooked up or do you think we can tow it as is? I am a bit concerned about the mountains...
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Safety is the real issue for everyone aboard your tow vehicle.
That small trailer can make you lose control faster than you can blink an eye.
How do I know?
I settled a claim with the family of a man and wife that was killed doing exactly what your proposing.
Not very easy, I assure you.
Andy
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03-03-2013, 04:34 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1955 22' Flying Cloud
mapleton
, Utah
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 464
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Always go for safety first! jack it up, pull the wheels and then take a long thoughtful look at the brakes - an adult beverage often helps at this point. if the brakes are good, pack the bearings hook up the electrical to a quality brake controller test em and head on out.
if the brakes are bad it is time to check the axles and then decide whether to
1. replace total axle assembly
2. backing assemblies
3. just shoes and repack bearings
none of these jobs are really too horrible for a weekend if prepared.
tim
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03-03-2013, 05:05 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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You need brakes along with a functioning break away switch and a good house battery properly wired to the brakes via the break away switch.
Proper adjustment of the brakes is also key.
And a brake controller in the TV that works.
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03-03-2013, 05:24 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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I couldn't imagine towing without brakes. Ever.
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03-03-2013, 05:38 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1988 32' Excella
Bonita
, California
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 325
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUKToad
I couldn't imagine towing without brakes. Ever.
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What do think is going to happen if you hit a piece of road debris or you blow a fuse and your trailer brakes fail. Makes ya think about if your tow vehicle could handle the load, doesn't?
__________________
Happiness only real when shared.
Christopher Johnson McCandless
2/12/68 - 8/18/92
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03-03-2013, 05:52 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
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Legally, trailer brakes are required for a trailer of more than 3000 gvw and/or any tandem axle trailer. Brakes are necessary for emergency handling. Brakes are what keeps your trailer behind you in a panic stop. Your stopping distance is greatly increased without brakes.
I wouldn't tow without brakes, particularly in the moutains. Unless your trailer brakes work, your trailer will push your tow vehicle in downhill turns.
The point about checking out the running gear on an old Airstream is a good one. Torsion axles have rubber inside which degrades over time.
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03-03-2013, 06:24 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RUMSHIP
What do think is going to happen if you hit a piece of road debris or you blow a fuse and your trailer brakes fail. Makes ya think about if your tow vehicle could handle the load, doesn't?
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Indeed, but there's a world of difference between setting out knowing that you don't have brakes and suffering some failure whilst on the road. Any number of vehicle components can fail whilst driving, but I don't suppose people worry too much about whether they can handle a tire blow out, a suspension failure or even a (car) brake failure; if they did they'd never drive anywhere.
I have no concerns that my tow vehicle will handle an emergency stop in the event of a trailer brake failure, in the same way that I don't concern myself that my tire may blow or something else may go wrong. The difference is that once I have stopped, I'm going nowhere until the brake issue is resolved.
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03-03-2013, 06:45 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
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I delivered trailers for many years and my policy was to not accept any trailer without working brakes, regardless of size.
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
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03-03-2013, 07:25 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1965 17' Caravel
1983 27' Excella
Walnut Grove/Laguna Woods
, California
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
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Brakes.......
Be safe........
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03-03-2013, 07:26 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1997 34' Limited
1970 27' Overlander
South of Atlanta
, Georgia
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,709
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Definitely brakes.
__________________
Craig and Carol
1997 34' Excella 1000
1970 27' Overlander, International
2009 Ford F150 5.4L
ProPride hitch with 1400# bars
AIR 41028
TAC GA-8
WBCCI 10199
Past President Southeastern Camping Unit (12)
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03-03-2013, 08:07 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2005 30' Land Yacht 30 SL
Oakland County
, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 506
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Brakes,use 'em, no question about it.
__________________
Bob & Nancy
2005 ASLYG 30 SO
2009 Wrangler Toad
Michigan
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03-03-2013, 09:24 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handn
Legally, trailer brakes are required for a trailer of more than 3000 gvw and/or any tandem axle trailer. Brakes are necessary for emergency handling. Brakes are what keeps your trailer behind you in a panic stop. Your stopping distance is greatly increased without brakes.
I wouldn't tow without brakes, particularly in the moutains. Unless your trailer brakes work, your trailer will push your tow vehicle in downhill turns.
The point about checking out the running gear on an old Airstream is a good one. Torsion axles have rubber inside which degrades over time.
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In many states the law requires them with more then 2000lb GVW for the trailer.
In some states brakes are required if the trailer GVW is more then 1/2 the TV weight or 3000lb whichever is less.
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03-03-2013, 10:20 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,369
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Hi, No trailer brakes, no trip.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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03-03-2013, 10:33 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Sovereign
Oakley
, California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,197
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I would say brakes...but to play devil' s advocate...unladen weight is the same whether you tow it, or put it in the bed of your truck. The only difference being that without wd and/or friction stabilizer trailer could get a little wormy. Braking effort is the same whether its 2,500 lbs in your bed, or in tow.
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03-04-2013, 07:02 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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It's very difficult to get the load in the TV to jackknife like a trailer. The idea behind trailer brakes is to keep the trailer behind the TV and under a reasonable amount of control when stopping.
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03-04-2013, 07:37 AM
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#18
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Moderator dude
1966 26' Overlander
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,501
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At 18 feet a 1969 Caravel isn't big and should be about less than 3000 pounds.
>>>>>>Action
__________________
1966 Mercury Park Lane 4 DR Breezeway 410 4V, C-6, 2.80 - Streamless.
1966 Lincoln 4 door Convertible 462 4V 1971 Ford LTD Convertible 429 4V Phoenix ~ Yeah it's hot however it's a dry heat!
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03-04-2013, 07:56 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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You still would be better off with brakes!
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03-04-2013, 08:22 AM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
1969 18' Caravel
Augusta
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 86
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Breaks!
Breaks it is! I had heard that you could tow a trailer this size without them, but we have never towed anything like that for any long distance so I just wanted to check. We will have them checked when we get the new tires. They were not hooked up when we bought the Caravel, so I really have no clue what the status is. We will look into it before we hit the road. Thanks again for all you who are so willing to help the newbies figure out airstream life! You all have been very patient with ALL my questions and problems.
__________________
Caroline
1969 Caravel "Sylvie"
moderninthesouth.blogspot.com
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