mic
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by mic on Jan 22, 2019 12:47:34 GMT 10
Hi we are considering fitting electronic brakes to our 1982 Millard Poptop 15 foot caravan ..Chassis number 17748.....we have been advised to replace the axle to do this....how do i find out the axle length??? and would we be better off fitting a mechanical brake...it only has a hand brake.
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Post by nickd15 on Jan 23, 2019 8:20:54 GMT 10
Went through the same thought process when we restored our Travelhome. As we already had Electric controllers in the cars for our Jayco we decided to go the Electric path.
After spending a bit of time researching, found it was easier and cheaper to just get a new axle. I removed our old one and took it to a trailer place for them to use as a template and two weeks later picked up a complete new one that just needed to be installed and the wire run to the plug.
If you don't currently have a controller in your car, you may consider mechanical.
good luck Nick
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Post by Rattles on Jan 23, 2019 13:18:45 GMT 10
mic - AS nickd15 said take the axle to your local trailer parts supplier, If you have a stepped axle I would order a straight axle with electric brakes with stud centres to suit your wheels, as this will raise the road clearance by about 50mm, and also will make it easer to change wheels when you have a flat, or if replacing wheels/tyres you may think of using the same as the tug, however most late model vehicles/Caravan use larger diameter wheels also the cost of these larger Tyres/Rims are much more expensive than 14" Tyres/Wheels.
A new Electric axle will cost $700-$1000 depending on drum size and axle length.
Rattles
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Post by shesgotthelook on Jan 23, 2019 20:24:05 GMT 10
HiMic, I'm not sure of your mechanical abilities so I will speak as a not so mechanically adept caravan restorer. I have taken two caravans to a local truck mechanics & they have replaced the axle & fitted electric brakes for me. It was in the region of $1000. Regarding your park brake, what is there should be fine. For peace of mind, stick a chock under the wheel  Cheers, SGTL |
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Post by Franklin1 on Jan 23, 2019 22:48:09 GMT 10
If the van only has a handbrake at the moment, perhaps it already has electric brakes fitted?? I would think a 15ft Millard would exceed the 750kgs tare weight that requires brakes to be fitted, and so there must be some sort of braking system on the van for towing purposes.
Our history research says that Millard introduced electric brakes in 1977 on all their vans 16ft and over, so when Viscount took over building Millards in 1979 you would think Viscount continued doing this (although I have no research to say 'yes or no'). I'd be thinking that by 1982, electric brakes were becoming something that consumers would be 'insisting' on their vans, irrespective of its size, and would have perhaps become more common than the old-style cable brakes??
Where's hughdeany when we need him? 
cheers, Al.
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Post by hughdeany on Jan 24, 2019 8:10:12 GMT 10
Hi Franklin 1,
Yes you’re right,if it’s a 1992 van it will have electric brakes and a galvanised chassis.
Easiest way of finding out is look behind the wheels and see if there are any wires going into the back of the brake drum.
Cheers
hughdeany
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