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Chiefy · 12-13-2009, 11:38 AM

My newly aquired '65 GT should arrive in England towards the end of December and I need to get the ball rolling with the modifications.

My plan is to fit a new torsion axle with surge brakes and a new hitch.

I know that the weight of the GT is around 2980 lbs, but I have no idea what the Airstream designers expected the total payload to be, I also know that fitting an over rated axle can cause structural problems.

So I could use some guidance selecting the correct axle weight capacity.

Can anyone assist?

easyride · 12-13-2009, 12:56 PM

It doesn`t take to long to add up to 1000 # of must have stuff in a trailer,don`t think I would go with less than 4,000# axle. Dave

Inland RV Center, In · 12-13-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

My newly aquired '65 GT should arrive in England towards the end of December and I need to get the ball rolling with the modifications.

My plan is to fit a new torsion axle with surge brakes and a new hitch.

I know that the weight of the GT is around 2980 lbs, but I have no idea what the Airstream designers expected the total payload to be, I also know that fitting an over rated axle can cause structural problems.

So I could use some guidance selecting the correct axle weight capacity.

Can anyone assist?

I will look up the axle specs for your 1965 20 foot Airstream, and post it for you tomorrow.

Andy

Chiefy · 12-13-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

I will look up the axle specs for your 1965 20 foot Airstream, and post it for you tomorrow.

Andy

Appreciate your help Andy

Inland RV Center, In · 12-15-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

Appreciate your help Andy

Your 1965 20 foot Airstream trailer, was originally equipped with a 4000 pound axle, with 12 inch brakes.

You can upgrade it to 4500 pounds, but no more than that, or stay with the 4000 pounds.

Also, do not down grade the brakes to 10 inch. Stay with the 12 inch brakes, to assure maximum braking power for your trailer.

Andy

CanoeStream · 12-15-2009, 01:59 PM

Yeah, but....

He's talking surge brakes. Does 10" or 12" matter any more? Surge brakes are moving pretty far off the electric brake map.

Who is making surge brakes work?

Inland RV Center, In · 12-15-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Yeah, but....

He's talking surge brakes. Does 10" or 12" matter any more? Surge brakes are moving pretty far off the electric brake map.

Who is making surge brakes work?

I have no idea who can supply the "surge brakes".

Andy

Chiefy · 12-15-2009, 04:24 PM

In europe most folks run surge brakes, that's how it is.

Alko who make around 80% of european Travel Trailer axles and frames will make axles to suit specific special applications including matching brakes and hubs to fit original rims.

The difficult bit will be cutting off the old Marvel hitch and fitting one that will operate the brakes, it can be done. loads of Airstreams that make it over here get converted.

I'm looking at an overhaul that will last for at least the next 30 or so years, but I have to keep an open mind, if I need to sell the GT at some time, it will be easier if it's rigged for normal european use.

Thanks for the info Andy the spread between 4000 and 4500lbs will span the conversion to axles with standard metric kg ratings.

68 TWind · 12-15-2009, 04:59 PM

I have surge brakes on my tandem axle boat trailer. They work Ok but properly adjusted electrics with a good controller are far superior.

WK57ABF · 12-15-2009, 05:00 PM

Chiefy:

Surge Brakes - All of the conversions to UK surge brakes on Airstreams that I have seen have looked a real mess. Bits cut off the "A" frame and ugly plates welded on to accept the coupler. In my opinion, even the dealer conversions look dreadful.

Pleased we kept the original brakes on our trailer and they are legal in the UK.

John in the UK

Jim Foster · 12-15-2009, 07:36 PM

How can you back up-hill with surge brakes?

Why not just stick with electric brakes and a good controller. Simple to install and no modification to your trailer?

Chiefy · 12-17-2009, 12:33 AM

Andy & Easyride: Thanks for your help with this, it's appreciated.

WK57ABF: I'll be in contact through the UK site.

Jim Foster:
No mods to the trailer, thats great, but now I have to install a brake controller into my vehicle. OK in the USA where EBC's are easy to get and folks are used to installing them, not so good in europe where EBC's are more of a novelty than everyday use.

Also, do you really think that all European trailer owners never reverse up a hill?

LOL

Inland RV Center, In · 12-17-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefy

Andy & Easyride: Thanks for your help with this, it's appreciated.

WK57ABF: I'll be in contact through the UK site.

Jim Foster:
No mods to the trailer, thats great, but now I have to install a brake controller into my vehicle. OK in the USA where EBC's are easy to get and folks are used to installing them, not so good in europe where EBC's are more of a novelty than everyday use.

Also, do you really think that all European trailer owners never reverse up a hill?

LOL

Electric brake controllers today, are far removed from the past.

No connections to the hydraulic system is necessary.

The activation of the controller is done by the brake light switch. The quantity of braking is done by adjustment of the controller. The installation is a simple wiring hookup.

Andy

BWH-Utah · 12-17-2009, 11:23 AM

Surge Brakes and backing-up, up a hill. Years ago, I had this problem with a Uhaul rental trailer. I got into a "spot" before I realized this was a problem. The solution I came up with was to jam a scrap of wood (2 by 4 or something) into the surge brake units sliding mechanism (on the tongue of the trailer) to hold it "open". Just remember to pull the wood block back out after you get out of the predicament.
BWH

P.S. electric brakes and the new electric brake controller units are the way to go.

**Action** · 12-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Surge brake parts

Dico Brake Coupler Parts

Surge - because the government on the other side of the pond requires it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

zinbar · 01-02-2010, 08:36 PM

I Agree with Electric brakes.

Inland RV Center, In · 01-02-2010, 10:39 PM

Most surge brake couplers today, are made so that you can put a pin in them, which prevents the brakes from working, so that you can back up.

The HUGE problem, is don't forget to remove the pin, afterwards.

All to many shops, are clueless about surge brakes, and how they "really" work.

Andy

barts · 01-09-2010, 01:57 AM

Surge brakes are quite common w/ heavy rental trailers as they don't require additional components in the towing vehicle. I've used electric brake trailers and ones w/ surge brakes; they both work well when properly adjusted and maintained. A lockout mechanism is indeed required when reversing up a hill w/ surge brakes.

I do find surge brakes to be less subject to intermittent faults and easier to diagnose, probably because it's easier to find leaking brake fluid than shorts or open circuits in hidden wiring.

On the other hand, the level of control afforded by correctly working electric brakes is very nice. I hope to get the electric brakes on our 71' Tradewind working soon, although a 7000 lb tow vehicle made doing w/o acceptable for getting our new acquisition home for repairs...

- Bart

**Action** · 01-09-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

.

All to many shops, are clueless about surge brakes, and how they "really" work.

Andy

The above is very likely true for an RV shop. For a trailer shop especially a U-Haul franchise or a regular automotive shop, that type of shop would know exactly what to do.

In addition a surge brake system is easier (as in less components) to work on. Most of the system is exactly like the brake system on the TV.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

kayamtom · 03-30-2011, 12:10 AM

Hello

Dare I raise this thread from the depths of time??

Surge Brakes, also known as Overrun Brakes, have for quite a few years been fitted with an automatic reverse function. I guess that most trailers up to 20years old have this function.

There is a carrier in the drum capable of detecting direction of rotation. It is pretty simple and saves blocks of wood or forgotten pins.

Trailer & Caravan parts, knott brake parts & spares diagram

I have shamlessly pinched this link from another forum. It shows a little detail but no great explanation. For the explanation see this link from whence the first link came.

Over run brakes on trailer

Best Wishes
tom