advise required with vacuum brakes

[Deleted]

Hello Mark

I am in the process of purchasing an old van from my neighbour. It was
built by her husband in the 1060's and taken on a couple of trips around
Australia in the early 70's. Am slowly finding out more about it. It is
plain silver on the outside, and very retro/art deco inside. Looks quite
similar to one of the ones on the cover of the magazine of plans you have
on your site. Am slowly working my way through his books and magazines in
his shed in the hope i might find the original plans. They might also be
inside. He would have been 100 this year, and she is turning 90.

A couple of pictures attached.

Am keen on some advice as to how to deal with the vacuum braking system
when towing with a modern car - am using a Toyota Advensis at the moment -
it has a TARE of 960, which is right on my legal limit, but have not
connected the brakes up, and my undercar experts are just shaking their
heads at the contemplation of it!

Anyway, some pictures attached of it when traveling around Oz many years
ago. We have a young family and are planning to take it for family
holidays around the state. Are heading up to Halls Gap next weekend, all
going well.

Cheers

Craig
Warrnambool
0419 617 577

[Jennison]

It is quite easy to set up a modern car with vacuum brakes but if you are buying new bits ,it isn't cheap. I was quoted $1500 by a brake place .
I was lucky in that one of our members had a spare system(which i am yet to collect(sorry Bob - I will get there next time I'm in Sydney))
Have a look at yellowlukis request for advice on brakes yesterday - there was some good info to be had in minicampers and sportsmans responses regards jennison

[beetlesbailey]

After 4.5 years towing a 1970 Millard around Oz in mid 70's with vacuum brakes that no one managed to get working right I would chuck 'em and fit electric.
My ex has some great after action photos of the rig after a rear tyre blew out on the F truck at 50 M.P.H. just east of Broome on 7/7/77.
When this happened I reached for the vac brake handle which was located about 3" above the hand brake, sooo guess where habit took my hand?
Luckily we were still able to live in the van. Unfortunately I will (probably) never see those photos again.
Good luck with your van.
Regards Beetles

[dorian]

Van made in 1060s? Is this where the troops camped for a cup of tea during the Battle of Hastings? ;D

[lazza]

If it was me I would chuck out the vacuum brakes and set up electric as Graham has said. Nothing wrong with vacuum but electric is far better these days for fitting/servicing etc Also there is no need to break into the cars hydraulics with the electric brakes

Regards Larry W

[cmidgley]

Thanks for all of this advice. Sorry about the mix up in dates - certainly not 1060's. On further discussion, it appears it was made in the late 50's. The family went on many trips when her children were little, and as they were born in '46 and '48. that would put it in the mid - late 50's. Am digging around the shed tomorrow with her to find the plans and other interesting memorabilia