Upgrading axle for fitting brakes

[phoenixrising61]

Hi all, First posting here and it's a little complicated and technical so please bear with me. Btw, while I have over 30 years in the car repair industry so I only know a bit about caravans. We have opted to do a renovation of this van, not a restoration as there are some modern items we wish to incorporate.

To set the scene: our 1966 Franklin Premier 14 ft is a single axle job with no brakes fitted. It has a drop axle which I believe to be of 3 inches. It also has the slip-type 7 leaf springs under the axle. It also has 13 inch rims and we can only assume they are Holden rims, both of which need replacing due to rust. There is perhaps only 3 fingers width clearance from the top of the tyre to the wheel-arch, with an empty van. The van appears to sit at a good height. 


I have concluded that a mechanical brake system would be preferable but I am concerned about the drop axle and fitting backing plates/drums to it. The axle tube seems quite substantial, about 3 inches diameter. and I had thoughts of moving the leaf springs to the top of the axle to gain some more clearance in the wheel arch.


So the questions are, is any of this feasible?

Would the van finish being too high up with springs on top?

Would I need to replace the axle for fitting backing plates/drums on to a more modern axle? (New drop axles are either 2 or 4 inches drop. The shorter drop would raise the body height by an inch I believe, giving an extra inch in the wheel arch)

Should we go to 14 inch rims for the load rating (couldn't do that with the current arrangement)?

Is hydraulic better than mechanical breaking? (Electric will not be required as it will not be more than 1400 kgs, and besides, I don't want a controller in the car, just a personal preference)

Sorry for the length of this post but as I said it's a bit complicated and messy. Look forward to any advice, tips, links whatever you have to offer.
Thanks,
Andrew

[don]

Attachment DeletedHi Andrew . I have just been fixing the same problem but decided on electric brakes.on my 15ft clipper. The total cost for everything to fit on my existing axle & retaining my original 16in wheels was $218 inc freight.This was through huntsman trailer parts. they were very helpfull & great to deal with. Hope this helps Cheers Don.

[phoenixrising61]

Cheers Don. Did you replace the axle or did everything just bolt up nicely with what already existed?

[don]

Hi again. All I had to do was weld the mounting plate they supplied to my axle. Cheers Don

[Franklin1]

G'day Andrew,

Over the years this forum has been operating, there have been a few threads relating to Franklin axles, and axles in general. I'll give you the links to the various threads, and you can end up as confused as possible about the whole thing :

Note that some of these threads go back to 2008/09/10 so they are getting old like the rest of us

Franklin Freeway Axle

Andrew82s first vintage van

Underslung Axles

tow ball for 66 frankiin freeway

Happy reading!

cheers,
Al.

[phoenixrising61]

G'Day Al,

Thanks for the links. Should keep me square-eyed for a few hours

Cheers,
Andrew