Trailer brakes

Chris Wood · 05 January 2019, 14:35

Hello, I’m new to this forum, thanks for accepting me.
I’ve had difficulty making a new post, not being very computer savvy, so replied to an existing one.
My question relates to trailers, I’ve just bought a used SBS 3600 boat trailer and discovered that the brake mechanisms are totally rusted away / missing. I wonder if anyone is aware of a pair of second hand axles as this seems my only option, they seem beyond repair to me.

Many thanks & Happy New Year

Chris

beamishken · 05 January 2019, 15:24

They are highly likely to be uneconomic to repair however any used ones you find will likely be the same
Contact peak trailers who make axles and get a qoute they are not as expensive as you may think compared to replacement hubs and brake parts

paulbrown22 · 05 January 2019, 15:57

Are you going to be towing on the road, or just using for launching at a boat yard? If the latter, possibly not worth the effort/cost to fit brakes, as they aren't much use for launching/recovering, and just rust away again!

My trailer similarly came with all the brakes stripped out, and I reinstated for road use. You could buy complete Alko backplates with all the components for ~£80 at the time, so I just bought 4 of those and swapped the components onto my backplates, along witj new bearings, which at that time was far cheaper than 2 new 1600kg axles. But if you need hubs/drums and other bits as well, the cost might be much closer to completely new axles.

Chris Wood · 05 January 2019, 17:24

Thank you Beamish and Paul, yes, I do need to use the trailer on the road, so the brakes would be quite handy. If it were just the back plates that would be great, but the actual arms seem also to be pretty suspect. The only bits that look really good are the galvanised axle beams and spreaders. Unfortunately I don’t think you can fit new suspension units to them, I believe they only come as a sealed unit. Having said that I intend testing it with a 3 ton load when I can get my old Ferguson tractor going!

Thanks again

Chris

beamishken · 05 January 2019, 18:38

New axles come with new bearings brakes hubs and cables. If yours are as sick as you say then new axles are the way to go, you will save in the long run.
You will fit new ones in a 1/4the time it takes to rebuild the old ones and with far less agro too.

paulbrown22 · 05 January 2019, 19:46

Yep, if they are that bad, sounds like new axles are the best way forwards, especially if it is going to be heavily loaded!

John Kennett · 28 January 2019, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Wood

I’ve had difficulty making a new post, not being very computer savvy, so replied to an existing one.

OK, I've tidied that up now. Another time all you need to do is go to the relevant section of the forum and click the "New thread" button.

GuyC · 29 January 2019, 06:40

There is / was a chap on here called Trailer Guy who ran / worked for Compass Trailers. He might be worth a call.

Alternatively there is Crosshouse Trailers in Southampton, who I've used and have no complaints about - Jasper 07846 963123. His website comes back with a "site can't be reached" message which may be slightly ominous.