Brakes take towing to a new level, especially if you haven’t done much towing or if you have never experienced towing a braked trailer. As well as being able to slow down and stop without a loaded trailer pushing your tow vehicle into a dangerous position, and being able to stop quickly in an emergency, having brakes on a trailer allows for the safe towing of heavier loads without having to invest in a tow vehicle with a higher tow rating.
There are two main types of brakes used in Australia and New Zealand, and we have gone through a breakdown of some of the benefits and features of each of these below. Bear in mind that there is no one system which is better than the other – both have advantages and disadvantages and should be viewed in relation to which one is best suited to the application you will be using the trailer in.
A drum brake is a brake that uses friction caused by a set of shoes or pads that press outward against a rotating cylinder-shaped part called a brake drum. The term drum brake usually means a brake in which shoes press on the inner surface of the drum.
- Drum brakes require adjustment to maintain peak braking performance. If using drum brakes, adjusting your brakes approximately every 30,000kms is recommended.
- A drum braked system is the preferred option for horse floats, animal trailers and fragile transport as the braking action is progressive, which applies the brakes in a smooth way, making traveling easier on the animals or fragile goods being transported.
- Heat buildup can occur when the brakes are used for prolonged periods, e.g. on hilly and winding roads. This can cause brake fade – an industry term for reduced braking output. This means the brakes are less effective, and will take longer to slow the trailer than usual. In severe cases the heat can embrittle the brake shoes and warp the drum, meaning replacements will be needed to ensure the braking system remains safe, effective and legal.
- There are three main ways drum brakes are controlled. An on trailer (BS3578) controller for 0-2500kg trailers, and a hardwired (BS3575) in-cab controller and the wireless Trailparts (BS35SE) controller for 2501-3500kg trailers.
- Drum brakes are an excellent option for 2501-3500kg trailers as they are simple and cost effective when compared to an electrically operated hydraulic braking system with disc brakes.
- Servicing costs are higher as there are more parts to replace when compared with a hydraulic disc system. The whole wheel and hub needs to be removed to service the braking mechanism, meaning servicing this type of braking system also takes longer.
A disc brake is a type of brake that uses calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a rotor (or "disc") in order to create friction that retards the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hold it stationary.
- In general, disc brakes are more reliable than drums. There are less components which are able to be damaged or fail and they do not require adjustment over time to maintain peak braking.
- Disc brakes are the preferred option for marine applications such as boat trailers. Water cannot get trapped inside the system, and there are no metal components to corrode. Stainless caliper and rotor options are also available for ultimate rust resistance. While this greatly minimizes the likelihood of rusting, we still recommend washing the underside, including the brakes) of any trailer used in marine applications with fresh water to remove the salt from the vehicle.
- The design of a disc brake means they have great airflow around them while in use, so even in high use applications they maintain high levels of braking output as heat cannot build up and create brake fade. For trailers used in higher weight applications, there are vented rotors available which are proven to cool much faster and maintain braking output even more efficiently than a standard non-vented rotor.
- Disc brakes are commonly used for 2500kg trailers with override brakes. It is a cost effective, reliable and easily maintained system.
- The main component to replace in a disc brake system is the brake pads in the caliper, which is a cheap and easy job.
- They can be used for heavier trailers in the 2501-3500kg category. The main deterrent is the cost of the electric actuator which pumps the oil to the calipers. Aside from this, they are very similar in cost to drum brakes.
