Mechanical Hand brake

Has any one fitted a mechanical hand brake to there 5th wheel. Due to a change int the law that comes into effect in 2012 all trailers/5th wheels that weigh more than 3500kg have to have a parking/emergency brake fitted. All trailers will have to have a test to make sure that they comply, other wise they will not be allowed to be used in the U.K.
I will have to investigate more, to make sure this is going to be the case, but there is nothing like being prepared.

WOW! Is that going to add some cost to the product.

Thanks earl I have mailed Dexter to find out about availability

Sean

It seems like this would be a nice little mod that would come in very handy. Please keep us updated Sean.

Thanks,
Scotty

Don't know if it's a mod I could undertake,but I sure like the idea.

I have found a company in the U.K. that are doing this MOD and they are charging £750.00 ($1167.00) for changing a pair of brake hubs to ones with a mechanical hand brake fitting, adding a hand brake lever and a breakaway cable. It seems like a lot of money to me but, but at this time it seems like I have no other options. The good thing about it though is it can be done, and I have a little time to arrange it

Sean

I have had contact with Dexter brakes and they are looking into the modification that I want to do. I have also sourced a hand brake lever from a semi trailer and the cables I would need to operate it. With luck the man at Dexter's will come up trumps for me and have the necessary parts available. I'll update when I have more info.

Sean

I have just received an Email from Lippert Axles, about my brake conversion. Cost of parts LH 139383. RH 139384. $75.37 each side. Not bad cost so far $150.74. then the cost of shipping a whopping $600 to $800 that is nearly as much as the shipping cost to get my Wildcat to the U.K. . Well I think I am going to go and cry into my

Sean

If you can find out what the weight is I'd check the shipping price yourself.
Dexter is about 40 miles away from me. If I can go pick it up and box it for less I might be able to help you out with it.

$600 doesn't sound right unless it is really heavy. I can't picture it being that heavy though.

Phillip I am now waiting for Dexter to get back to me with some prices to convert my brake back plate's. My brakes are made by Lippert but I think I could convert them with the parts from Dexter.
Lipperts excuse for the high charge for shipping is that they have a contract with UPS and the rates are locked. The complete brake back plate, adjusters and mechanical leaver could not weigh more than 10 kg a piece. I was expecting about $150 to $200 for shipping.
It might be cheaper to come and pick the parts up myself.
or it's back to the drawing board
Sean

I have now sourced the parts that I require to do this modification.
I am going with Dexter parts k23-112-00 and k23-113-00. These are going to be supplied from a company in Holland as it is cheaper than paying Lippert $600 to $800 shipping.
Total cost for these parts including P&P is a whopping £424.00 ($663.25).
Its times like this, I wish that there were more suppliers willing to ship to the U.K
Sean

How much were the parts direct from dexter $us ?

And how much do they weigh and how big is the package ?

The reason I ask is that the US postal service has a large box with a flat rate.

$55 us about 35 GBP ,,,, to anywhere UK. Up to 20 pounds of weight.

http://ircalc.usps.gov/MailServices.aspx?country=10142&m=13&p=0&o=1&mt=11

If it will fit in the box I'll get it to you if it will save you a couple hundred dollars.

I looked on dexter, looks about $341 for the parts.
I could box it and ship it for around $65. Thats if they have those parts at the shop thats up the road from me. I'm sure they could get them shipped to that location without an extra charge if they're at another plant.

I just had the motorcycle parts shipped from wessex and it took 2 weeks regular mail. So I'd expect the same shipping back the other way.

It doesn't show an actual hand parking brake , so does the parts they quoted you have that or is that something extra just how does that work ?

Hi Phillip, I you could see if your local Dexter have the parts, or soonest availability I would very much appreciate it I mail you Sunday evening.
Sean

I'll call them this morning.

Sean, they have the parts on hand at dexter.

127.80 x 2 = $ 255.60 plus 7% tax = $ 273.49

She said each one weighed 14 pounds.

So figure 30 lbs with usps shipping 110.00

total = $ 383.49

Worst case $400 dollars. for parts and shipping.
add a couple more dollars for Insurance maybe.

Look on united parsel's website to figure a 30lb box , I don't have your postal code, but you can enter mine 31061.

Pick up the rest my parts today to complete the list of components needed. Thanks to admin for posting parts for me .
Hopefully I 'll be able to continue the project this week.
Sean

The parts are now waiting to be put together on the Cat. But I am now wondering weather to use bowden cables from the axle to a central point then use the bonded wire to the hand brake, My main concern with bowden cables is, the fixing point for the cables. I do not want to damage the cross member just in front of the front axle. so I might have it install a new cross member for the cables. I would bolt to the main chassis rails just in case I had to remove it to access the under side of the Cat. Any thoughts from members would be welcomed.
[img][/img]
All the parts ready for fitting?

I only see one set of shoes & hardware in your pic, does the handle actuate just 1 brake?

EDIT; DOH!! Now I see it ~ the second brake assembly is upside down! That makes a lot more sense.

ScottandGrace wrote:I only see one set of shoes & hardware in your pic, does the handle actuate just 1 brake?

EDIT; DOH!! Now I see it ~ the second brake assembly is upside down! That makes a lot more sense.

The leaver does apply both brake shoes, the return spring is very strong, so I should not suffer with brake drag from the cables.
The Electric side of the brake only seems to apply one shoe But that might be because it has to be in the drum to have full effect, time will tell

I can't believe no one has noticed the extra part that came with the brake.... Can anyone spot it ?

An arrowhead on the closer brake unit?

Good eye Glen,

Glen Schumann wrote:An arrowhead on the closer brake unit?

So thats where I put it.
Sean