The heavy craft inevitably brings the owner to the issue of safe transportation. If your boat weighs more than 750 kg with engine, equipment and fuel, standard inertia braking becomes not only desirable, but mandatory.
Many drivers underestimate the physical mass that needs to be stopped at high speed or steep descent to the water. Inertia brake on the trailer's breather only works when the tractor is braking, but when moving in reverse or on slopes, its effectiveness may not be enough without competent tuning.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the design features of brake systems for water technology. You will learn how friction and hydraulic units differ, how to correctly calculate the load and why GIMS legislation It requires special attention to this node.
Criteria for the selection of a braking system for a boat trailer
The first step is always to weigh the entire complex precisely, and the total weight is the weight of the boat, the engine, the full fuel tank, the anchor equipment, and the trailer itself, and if the total figure is over 750 kg, the effective brake is dictated by the physics of motion.
There are two main types of systems used in modern shipbuilding for trailers, the first option is mechanical friction brakes, which work on the principle of the principle of the system. brake-shoe, which is pressed against the inner surface of the wheel drum when moving breathed forward.
The second, more modern and reliable option is a hydraulic system, which is often completed. hydro-battery It requires a brake system or a separate drive system, which allows for smoother and more predictable braking, especially on wet roads.
When you choose, look at the material used to make the brake elements, and salt water and river silt are the main enemies of metal. Stainless steel or galvanized components will significantly extend the life of the node, preventing the souring of the cables and jamming of the pads.
Design and operation of the inertia brake
The basis of a classic boat trailer is a mechanism mounted on the drawer, inside the casing is a movable clutch, which, when the car is braking, moves forward by inertia, and this movement is transmitted through a system of levers and cables to the brake pads of the wheels.
The key element here is brake-lineIt's the one that transfers the force from the sliding clutch to the wheels, and the quality of the cable and the right tension determines the efficiency of the whole system, and a weak or rusty cable will make braking late and dangerous.
⚠️ Warning: Never ignore the backlash in the mechanism of slipping breathed. If the clutch is too loose or, conversely, the brakes will work incorrectly, which can lead to the folding of the trailer or hitting the car.
You often use a screw mechanism or a nut on a rod to adjust the force, and when you twist or twist the regulator, you change the tension of the cable, and it's important to do this on a level ground, checking the heating of the drums after the test run.
Why are the brakes creaking on the new trailer?
Screaming in the first 100-200 km is a normal process of grinding friction linings to the drum. If the creak lasts longer, check for lubrication on the moving parts of the mechanism (not on the pads!) and no skewed axis.
Hydraulic systems: advantages and features of installation
Heavy boat and yacht owners often prefer hydraulics, such as those from well-known brands such as the hydraulics. Knott or AlkoThis is a stable braking system, regardless of the degree of loading of the trailer, based on the transfer of fluid pressure.
The main advantage of hydraulics is that there are no sharp jerks when braking starts, and the pressure builds smoothly, which protects the coupling device of the car and the trailer frame. release-free when reversing.
Installation of hydraulics is more complicated than mechanics, requiring high-pressure tubes, hydraulic cylinders on the axle and connection to the main brake cylinder of the tractor or the use of an autonomous pump, and assembly errors are unacceptable here.
| Parameter | Inertial (Mechanics) | hydraulic | Electrical. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principle of action | Shifting of clutches and cables | Liquid pressure | Electromagnets |
| Difficulty of installation | Low. | High. | Medium |
| Cost of service | Low. | Medium | High. |
| Efficiency on the wet road | Medium | High. | High. |
When operating a hydraulic system, it is critical to monitor the level of fluid and tightness of the joints, and the entry of water into the system through the osteoils can lead to corrosion of the pistons and brake failure at the most inopportune time.
Adjustment and adjustment of the brake mechanism
The right setup is the key to safety. The process begins with a visual inspection. Make sure the cables are free of clamps and the tips are securely fixed. The rust must be removed immediately and lubricated with graphite grease.
To adjust the mechanical brake, find a adjusting screw on the breather. Relax the counternut and rotate the screw until the wheels start to slow slightly in free condition, and then release them back half-rotation.
☑️ Checking of the braking system
After adjustment, make sure to run a test run. Accelerate to 40-50 km/h and brake smoothly. The trailer should not peck excessively with the nose, and the car should not twitch sharply. If you feel a beating in the pedal or steering wheel, it is possible that the drums have ovality or the pads are worn unevenly.
⚠️ Warning: When setting, never lubricate the friction linings themselves or the inner surface of the drum. The oil hitting the brake surfaces will lead to the complete disappearance of the brake effect and fire hazard situation.
Maintenance and care of braking units
After each unloading of the boat, especially in salt water, it is recommended to rinse the chassis and brakes with fresh water, which will wash away the salt, which is a catalyst for corrosion.
Once a season, you need to remove the wheels and make a defect. Check the thickness of the friction linings. If they are thinner to 2 mm, they need to be replaced. brake drums For cracks and deep workings.
The moving parts of the mechanism on the breather require regular lubrication. Use special marine lubricants that do not wash away with water and do not lose their properties when temperatures vary. Pay special attention to the axis of rotation of the levers and the places where the cables enter the shirt.
Use a rust spray for hard-to-reach areas under the brake casing, which helps detect corrosion in its early stages, when it can still be stopped by a simple sweep.
Legal aspects and requirements of GIMS
In the Russian Federation, the requirements for the technical condition of trailers for small vessels are regulated, according to the rules, trailers with a gross mass of more than 750 kg must be equipped with a service braking system.
Inspectors of GIMS when checking documents and technical condition of the boat can also check the trailer. light-devices Effective brakes are a prerequisite for admission to operation on water bodies, if transportation is carried out on public roads.
Exceeding this parameter or operating without brakes, if provided for by the design for the mass, may be grounds for delaying transport.
⚠️ Note: When undergoing a technical inspection or GIMS check, the presence of a working parking brake (handle) on a trailer weighing more than 750 kg is a mandatory requirement.
Frequent malfunctions and methods of their elimination
One of the most common problems is the souring of the cables, and the water gets inside the braid, freezes in the winter, or causes corrosion, and the brake either fails or fails to release, leading to overheating and jamming of the wheels.
Another problem is the wear of friction linings to the metal base, which causes damage to the drum and a sharp decrease in braking efficiency, and screeching, screeching or humming when driving are the first bells that require immediate intervention.
To fix faults, you often need a complete bulkhead, replace the cables with new ones, preferably with a polymer braid that is less susceptible to corrosion, and check the springs that return the pads to their original position, which should not be stretched.
Timely replacement of worn cables and regular lubrication of mobile connections prolong the service life of the brake system by 2-3 times and guarantee safety on the road.
Do I need to register a trailer for a boat in the traffic police?
Yes, if the total weight of the trailer exceeds 750 kg, it is subject to mandatory registration in the traffic police, receives a license plate and a vehicle passport (PTS).
Can I drive in reverse with the inertia brake on?
When reversing, the inertia mechanism can lock the wheels as the clutch shifts towards braking. Many modern models have an automatic release function or a manual locker (pin) that must be activated before maneuvering.
How often should the brake fluid be changed in the hydraulic system?
It is recommended to change the brake fluid in the trailer system at least once every 2 years or at every sign of loss of braking efficiency.
Why does the trailer move away when braking?
This is a sign of uneven brakes on different wheels, and the causes may be different degrees of wear on the linings, oil contamination of the brake surfaces, different degrees of tension of the cables or a malfunction of one of the cylinders.