Most caravans and large trailers are legally required to have brakes. The laws are State based but are generally the same.
A visual description is the best way to understand the meaning of different weights.
Above: The TARE mass is the weight the caravan was when it left the factory. It is weighted with its jockey wheel and main wheels on the weightbridge. It has no water, no gas or optional accessories that are fitted after manufacture.
Above: The Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) is the weight of the caravan plus the permitted payload. It is calculated based on the lowest value of things like tyres, axle capacity etc. The payload includes everything added: water, gas, food, clothing etc. The caravan must be unhitched.
Above: The Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) is the weight of the caravan plus the permitted payload that is supported by the axles. The payload includes everything added: water, gas, food, clothing etc. The towball weight is NOT included.
The GTM is shown on a compliance plate which is usually located on the drawbar or inside the front boot. This is what a roadside weightbridge will check if you get pulled up.
The towball weight will vary depending on what load you have, and where it is stored, so it should be measured when you are fully loaded. Moving heavy items can alter your towball weight.
If your trailer weights less than 750kg, when loaded, you do not need any brakes.
Override brakes are permitted when the GTM is under 2,000kg. Mechanical override brakes use the tow coupling to manually pull a cable connected to the trailer's brake drums in much the same way as pulling up the handbrake. Hydraulic override brakes are similar but use hydraulic pipes/fluid between the coupling and brake cylinders.
Electric brakes are commonly used on caravans and trailers over 750kg but are legally required (*limited alternatives maybe available) on all caravans and trailers with a GTM over 2,000kg.
Electric brakes are automatically applied by the brake controller and can also be manually operated via a manual control on the brake controller which is installed within reach of the driver.
Your tow vehicle will need a brake controller if it does not have one. The catagory below shows what we sell, plus an article to help you decide what features you may need.
All States require that caravans / trailers over 2,000kg GTM also have a breakaway system. A breakaway system is a way of automatically turning your caravan electric brakes on in an emergency. If your caravan was to become uncoupled while towing the breakaway system has a battery that will operate the brakes for at least 15 mins.
Remote battery monitors are used to provide the driver with an indication of the charge in the battery used to power the electric brakes when the emergency system is activated. These were mandatory in NSW from 2007 to 2016 however it appears the laws have been relaxed. Many people still believe they are a good idea to have and most caravan manufacturers would recommend having one.
Remote monitors to can be purchased separately to suit most existing breakaway systems.
Currently there is not a remote monitor available for the Tekonsha breakaway system.
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6 Comments
trevor
I recently had my 22ft van inspected in NSW. It passed all the requirements apparently. However my fellow caravanners tell me that there is a requirement to have remote control of the trailer brakes in the towing vehicle. I told this to the inspector and he said that this used to be the case but is not now. I do have an adjustable brake controller in the towing vehicle which I adjust to suit the way that the brakes operate. ie. always set to allow the trailer brakes to apply a little bit before the tow vehicle brakes. Am I legal?
Paul
Got an old but good 24 ft late 70s Viscount caravan I want to renovate, Bibra Lake, south of Perth. Twin axles. Has mechanical override brakes. Tare too close to the 2000kg to limit fitout by trying to stay under. What is involved and what sort of cost to upgrade to electric breakeaway braking. Maybe whole new axles and wheels with the right brakes ?
Trevor
FYI NT - Local Rules and SA - Local Rules - Links Do Not Work
Stephen
The laws regarding break away brakes are vague in that they do not define what is meant by phrases such as; 'the trailer becomes uncouple from the vehicle' or 'the trailer becomes disconnected from the vehicle'. It could mean when the trailer comes off the coupling but is still connected by safety chains, or it could mean when it has broken away completely chains and all. I am trying to find an answer to this question...
Mark
Nothing vague about "breakaway" at all. The trailer or caravan completely breaks away from the towing vehicle (it is not connected to the tow vehicle in anyway). A CONNECTED pull OR SNAP cable or similar mechanism operates the brakes to hold the caravan or trailer from moving for 15 minutes commonly electric brakes using a 12 volt battery charged by solar panels tow vehicle etc. Presumably this should almost instantly stop the towed vehicle and allow you or others time to stabilise the towed caravan/trailer. Also be aware that possibly only Lloyds of London will insure a towed vehicle for damages injuries caused after it has disconnected from your vehicle. The insurance complexities for damages injuries caused by a disconnected runaway caravan or trailer siggest that you should not cut any corners. My research is that you are not insured by your car insurance once it disconnects from the towed vehicle unless you have a specific insurance policy.
Mark
Nothing vague about "breakaway" at all. The trailer or caravan completely breaks away from the towing vehicle (it is not connected to the tow vehicle in anyway). A CONNECTED pull OR SNAP cable or similar mechanism operates the brakes to hold the caravan or trailer from moving for 15 minutes commonly electric brakes using a 12 volt battery charged by solar panels tow vehicle etc. Presumably this should almost instantly stop the towed vehicle and allow you or others time to stabilise the towed caravan/trailer. Also be aware that possibly only Lloyds of London will insure a towed vehicle for damages injuries caused after it has disconnected from your vehicle. The insurance complexities for damages injuries caused by a disconnected runaway caravan or trailer siggest that you should not cut any corners. My research is that you are not insured by your car insurance once it disconnects from the towed vehicle unless you have a specific insurance policy.