Caravan pre-brakes that weighs more than 750 kgs

[jdazzle]

Hi there all

Last ditch attempt to resolve my bad buy from last year, my 1965 Coronet 12.5 ft bondwood. It had long running VIC rego, I bought it impulsively and live in the ACT. Took down for NSW rego (want to sell, I don’t need it), weigh bridge ticket at 880 kgs, that ended that. Obviously never been weighed in VIC when braked rule came in. What to do.  Yes can get brakes fitted, but quotes are 2K+, and I’m already losing as bought at peak stupidity price. Pull something out, reweigh? I dont feel right about that.  Market flooded with covid renovation tradegies, mothball for a few years? No one wants to buy it, braked or unbraked.  I’m over it!! Link to facebook ad as the photo link thing here tries my patience, apologies. Love anyone’s suggestions, feedback, criticisms!, I have tried to sell this mistake all year. And it is a terrific, intact caravan of its era! 

www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3577164122554745/

[Roehm3108]

If you're at all handy, why not replace the axle with a braked kit yourself? Couplemate here in Brisbane sell them for between $622 and $878 for a 45mm square axle with electric drum brakes. Not sure about freight, but would think you could still land it for under $1000. At your asking price of the caravan (lovely unit by the bye), a potential buyer might baulk because they know they would have to add brakes.
I replaced the hubs on my Thistle-Doo (which meant taking the whole axle off) and rewired everything while I was at it, and it isn't THAT difficult. I replaced the whole axle on Cino Vardo from unbraked to braked as well, because like you, when the build was finished, she was overweight for unbraked trailers. The service I got from this company was second to none!


www.couplemate.com.au/trailer-caravan-axles/45mm-square-axles/45mm-square-electric-brake-axle-kit/

[jdazzle]

Dec 1, 2023 10:27:51 GMT 10 Roehm3108 said:

I just replied to this, then it disappeared! Take two - 

Thanks so much for replying! Hmm, I'll check out the link, maybe I can get it direct in the ACT. I am handy, but moving between many different fronts at the moment, though this caravan is a major lose lose so far so maybe I need to rethink.

I wont tell you how much I paid for it, and how unsympathetic the seller has been about passing on a van that can't be easily registered. He totally off my Christmas card list that is for sure. I have a dim view of when people are no longer nice when it suits them. 

I looked at mechanical brakes as that doesn't require the controller, but implicates welding...

Lesson - after my 6th enthusiastic vintage caravan buy over the years, no more!!! After this is gone, I'm down to one, and is going to stay that way!!


Thanks again so much!