Airstream Handbrake

[Rocketeer]

Hi Folks,
We'll soon be taking delivery of our 1968 AS Globetrotter, to use it legally on British roads, a parking brake must be installed. Has anyone ever seen a mechanical Parking brake fitted to an Airstream with Electric brakes? Does such a thing exist?

Or, perhaps someone can guide me towards a retro-fit electrical Parking brake system?

[JDietz]

Hi Folks,
We'll soon be taking delivery of our 1968 AS Globetrotter, to use it legally on British roads, a parking brake must be installed.

Ahhh, you Britts think of everything. Seriously congrats on the new Airstream. Understand I'm no expert, but I've never heard of a parking brake on a trailer.

We (in the US) use wheel chocks when unhooked. When hitched the tow vehicles parking brake/ putting the trans in park or gear keeps it from rolling away.

I can't remember a time that I've parked the rig on a hill, but if I would chocks would be something I would add.

What systems are generally used in Britain for this application?

Jody (inquiring minds want to know) Dietz

[Rocketeer]

Jody, British Regulations require the handbrake to hold a caravan / trailer on a 1:18 incline. I guess anything steeper than that is in the lap of the Gods

Standard British and European caravans (plastic boxes) use an inertia system where the weight of the caravan pushing forward as the tow vehhicle slows, activates a piston located behind & in-line with the caravan tow hitch. The Piston is mechanically connected to the caravan axle / brakes, progressively applying braking force.


Generally, British campsites aren't big enough to permit the AS and tow vehicle to remain hitched. Many campsites won't allow trailers over 26' as the roadways and pitches can't accommodate them. I would have happily bought bought a 31' ( I secretely wanted to buy and restore (to orignal) one of the ex-NASA post-flight isloation units). We can all dream!

[cburke]

Here in the colonies what you call an inertia system is called surge brakes.

Rarely seen on RV's. More common on boat trailers.

Not to bad until you try to back up an incline.

[cortés]

Never thought about that, but now that you mention it, that
is spec on military trailers & equipment...


Light Tactical Trailer Heavy Chassis (LTT-HC). Photo: Silver Eagle Manufacturing Co.

The Light Tactical Trailer Heavy Chassis has the same tires, wheels, and track width as
the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). A hand-brake lever and cable
assembly located on each side of the trailer activate a service brake at each wheel. Control
of each service brake is independent.

In addition to handbrake-activated service brakes, the trailer is equipped with an inertia-actuated
hydraulic brake system [surge brakes]. The trailer suspension consists of one shock absorber on
each end of the axle. Two stabilizers, stored in the front and installed in the rear, provide stability
when the trailer is not coupled to a towing vehicle.

[JDietz]

Jody, British Regulations require the handbrake to hold a caravan / trailer on a 1:18 incline. I guess anything steeper than that is in the lap of the Gods

Hey Rocket, I'm not sure how steep that is but from what I gather 1:18 is about a 54Deg angle? What keeps the tires from skidding down the side of the mountain?

Jody (dreaming of the tow vehicle that can pull a trailer up that incline) Dietz

[Rocketeer]

Light Tactical Trailer Heavy Chassis would spoil the lines of my lovely new AS

Jody fortunately for us Brits in Euroland conversion 1:18 is a smidge over 10Deg.
Imagine the off-road capabilities of an AS capable of a 58Deg incline. Cool!
It would be like sitting in the Pilot seat of the Space Shuttle waiting for launch.

I think Cortes has given us a clue. A military vehicle would do the job - How about a Hummer?
A beautifully polished 28' AS on long travel suspension - pulled up a 58 Deg incline by a Hummer - Where's my cheque book?

I'm getting ideas for a cross Sahara AS road trip - but not using roads

[JDietz]

Light Tactical Trailer Heavy Chassis would spoil the lines of my lovely new AS

Jody fortunately for us Brits in Euroland conversion 1:18 is a smidge over 10Deg.

That make some sense now. I spent a bunch of time on Google yesterday trying to find some sort of conversion or understanding of the system. Obviously with little success.


Jody (googled out) Dietz