Putting air brakes on trailer

[Mounty]

Got an ex artic trailer, tandem axle, converted to a cut down low loader. Last minute issue means it needs to go to air (which it obviously once had until someone removed it all).

No expert, so what do I need. Actuators, tanks (x 2?), hoses and couplings are on my list. Might have a 40ft donor trailer I can have to rob these bits off.

Anything else or advice?

 

[mo!]

Ring Erentek and they will supply the lot. Simples.

 

[Shovelhands]

We've got a couple of good commercial spares suppliers, who would supply everything, there will be one not far from you I'd have thought?
But if you don't know what you need , then you'll need a bit of advice, so maybe Erentek would be a good call?

Standard commercial stuff is not usually very expensive, make Ag prices look staggering!

You will need some Type 24 brake chambers(at a guess), one or two quick release valves (depending how it's plumbed) , relay valve, load sensing valve.

Air operated parking brake?
Two line air system?

This is a pretty typical system, but using Type 24/30 spring brake chambers....

 

[Mounty]

Thanks @Shovelhands - Yep, load sensing valve is a good reminder. Don't want it locking up every 5 mins. Existing park brake is a cable operated so guessing that will still be ok?

 

[Shovelhands]

It's obviously on steel suspension? So a standard load sensing valve will be just the job, it I'll be more for when it's empty than fully loaded.

Air suspension would need a pneumatic load sensing valve connected to the air bag feed, but guessing you've not got this.

If you can use a donor it would be good, but price up the chambers and valves first, especially if the donor has been standing a while, the parts aren't particularly expensive, and will give peace of mind that everything is right

But tanks and other bits may be useful from a donor, even some of the fittings, if it's got brass push fittings with nylon tube, then they will be as good as new and those little bits can save a lot of money. And rubber pipes, use new, not worth messing with second hand bits off the donor.

 

[Mounty]

Steel suspension, she's a few years old now. Great advice, cheers for that.

 

[roscoe erf]

Got an ex artic trailer, tandem axle, converted to a cut down low loader. Last minute issue means it needs to go to air (which it obviously once had until someone removed it all).

No expert, so what do I need. Actuators, tanks (x 2?), hoses and couplings are on my list. Might have a 40ft donor trailer I can have to rob these bits off.

Anything else or advice?

If you've got a donor trailer just swap it all over

 

[Andrew]

If you have a donor trailer it can all be swapped over. However if fittings have rusted, pipes gone brittle over the years, you could well need some new bits.

The last kit I got from Erentek was £600 delivered +vat, that includes everything you will ever need including stickers, shunt valve, load sensing etc etc.

 

[mo!]

Using a donor is a lot of hard work to save 600 quid, and someone else has had the best of it already.