Thread: Towing braked trailers

I tow a 1500kg boat unbraked, no probs. How much does this thing way and does your Ute have sway control on it? Quick correction of tail wag.
Brakes on trailer and caravans are a a pain int arse, unless needed

if anyone has a pommy caravan look behind the axle and if you see a metal box unit its probably an alko stabiliser. this measures sway and puts the brakes on slightly.
when these van arrive in nz they normally cut off the electrical plug and fit the flat one. however if you fit a dual layer fat plug to the car and van ( you will need a powered by ignition circuit though capable of 15 A ) then the stabiliser will work.
if there is an led light on the a-frame cover its a good indication too. is about a $2000 unit so well worth a look

Originally Posted by Maca49

I tow a 1500kg boat unbraked, no probs. How much does this thing way and does your Ute have sway control on it? Quick correction of tail wag.
Brakes on trailer and caravans are a a pain int arse, unless needed

Needed especially since most vehicles are only rated to 750kg unbaked so any crash you have then your insurance will likely decline your claim.

The 750kg unbaked is an ADR thing, only reason it got in to NZ is cross portability of aussie standards. That's also the reason our trailer and vehicle standards don't line up unless the trailer was built in aus under ADR...

Over 2000kg in NZ the trailer must be braked - the issue comes up at wof time in that you can have a trailer with tandem axles capable of 2500kg but the trailer being empty at wof times means they can test it without brakes at a weight under 2000Kg.

Lots of good advice here, thanks everyone, learning alot about towing!. I found out the caravan has a controller mounted on it already (probably a shitty one a few plp have warned against). But ill see how it goes and if its no good put a better one on like an Elecbrake. Caravan is only 1200kg so not crazy weight.