1988smithy
Well-Known Member
@Discokids do I need a breakaway chain rather than a cable as trailers unbraked?
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
Yes, or a properly rated cable, but not the brake-activating type.
Discokids
Well-Known Member
Sorry, my use of the phrase breakaway cable may have not been the right terminology to use. Not sure exactly what the law states but mines just got a 10mm steel cable with a crimped hoop on the end, that I put a D shackle through.
Similar to this but about two thirds the length, mounted further forwards and without the naff hook, it's bolted straight to the trailer and the hoop on the free end has a liner in it like the other end does. Just to try and keep the trailer attached in case the hitch fails. When I had my disco it was just the right length that the hitch didn't touch the ground but allowed free movement.
Any other trailer I just grab the chains and shackles off my engine crane and use the biggest thing that fits round the towbar and drawbar.
If it's looks like you know what your doing you shouldn't get any unwanted attention.
If you do know what you're doing you can drive with piece of mind
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Discokids
Well-Known Member
Is that the type that has a boss permanently attached behind the wheel - sticking through it?
I have one of these although don't use it at the minute as I dont have a working landy. It's for a freelander but I made a boss to suit d1.
I've also tried bikes on the roof - didn't like it. Can't see them while driving, attachment is questionable once you get away from 'normal' bikes, have to lift them up there. I've got a Thule towbar triple one for the CRV which is good, three bikes on with another chucked on top, and a paddy hopkirk universal type on the fiesta which is ok.
You could potentially put roof bars on your trailer and then bike bars on those but then you can't put a cover on the trailer. When you drive across Europe you see all sorts of different setups. How many bikes are we talking? Are they decent?
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
Exactly that mate Yeah
What I was looking at doing but with a way round having a cover. Really need a cover ideally
My 27.5" wheel mtb which ain't top end but not an apollo either, a 20" btwin and a 14" carrera which may well fit inside the trailer or even the disco
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
Trailers that size you are probbably better off unhitching and pushing it. Usually quicker.
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
Exactly what I plan on doing at the campsites. Prob save a bit of embarrassment as well
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
That looks about right. To be 100% safe I don’t put the ring over the tow ball, I prefer to connect it to the hitch plate. But that’s just me being over cautious!
Very easy to jacknife. You can put flags etc on them to make em visible but a 30 seconds push usually sorts it.Exactly what I plan on doing at the campsites. Prob save a bit of embarrassment as well
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
No, I like your thinking. I could attach it to one of the other towball holes in the plate
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
To be honest I'll only have to unhitch to unload the boot. Once im on a campsite I rarely go off it in the car unless the shops are miles away. Either way I ain't gonna break my back pushing that around lol
bluedog333
Well-Known Member
The chances of the chain jumping off are slim, but might as well do it properly!
Discokids
Well-Known Member
Exactly that mate Yeah
They're strong but I found it harsh on the bike frames. Good for carrying other things aswell.
What I was looking at doing but with a way round having a cover. Really need a cover ideally
Either that or find a big strong plastic container with lid to put your stuff in, inside the trailer. You could put the bikes in the trailer upside down with the stuff in the gaps. Get a big cover to go over the lot.
Or, you could make a frame that sits in the trailer that's about 3' high at the sides with an apex about 3'6 and order a cover off eBay to your own requirements that turns it into a canvas box trailer. Could even have a fridge inside then running off a split charge system through your 12s Socket.....
I'm getting carried away here aren't I?
My 27.5" wheel mtb which ain't top end but not an apollo either, a 20" btwin and a 14" carrera which may well fit inside the trailer or even the disco
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
Good ideas there, I need to trial and error all this before summer comes lol. I wrapped the forks on the spare wheel mount carrier in a few layers of adhesive backed cloth tape like you see on wiring looms/harness. Stop em banging about and getting scratched
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
Just shows there's always a way round carrying what you need
Makes our country look quaint!
I wouldn't take my landy thru some of that, let alone pull a feck off caravan as well!
I'd love to go to australia, but proper Australia. I used to watch those all4adventure lads on YouTube but they seem to stop doing decent length videos, just adverts for the t.v series.
Discokids
Well-Known Member
I liked watching those 'ozzy man reviews' videos on there but now he does that advert on telly I'm sick of hearing his voice.
private penguin
Well-Known Member
So looks like a 400kg trailer.
I agree it'll be a pain to reverse... even on the smallest of trailers i'd fit a jockey wheel if there's space on the A frame to make moving it around a bit easier, and to keep it stable when unhitched.
In terms of lighting - i'd go for LEDs... bit more pricey, but i always find bulbs in trailers seem to work lose (probably because i use my trailers off road quite a bit)
I agree it'll be a pain to reverse... even on the smallest of trailers i'd fit a jockey wheel if there's space on the A frame to make moving it around a bit easier, and to keep it stable when unhitched.
In terms of lighting - i'd go for LEDs... bit more pricey, but i always find bulbs in trailers seem to work lose (probably because i use my trailers off road quite a bit)
1988smithy
Well-Known Member
I didn't know he'd done a telly advert. Get a bit sick of his voice anyway but he says some funny **** haha
