The Bousman's Camper /Camping Pages
Aspen Classic (Trailmaster) and Others

 Site Home   |   Camp & Trailer Home
Go To The Main Camper Index Page




Electric Trailer Brakes

01-11-07 Another piece of ***** to read....
This (electric brakes) is another one of a major controversial issue - (besides of the actual fact of towing w/ a motorcycle) and that is the use of BRAKES in any way.... please read my opening BS rant on the top of the page at: camper if you have any moral 0r legal issues please take them someplace else if not-enjoy.
(See my controller mounting pictures at the "My Aspen Camper Improvements-Slide Show ")

Take care - John b

'83 GL1100A - '06 Aspen Camper
 

May 23-06

Hi,

I mounted the controller on the trailer yesterday (NOT a 5 min job). - on a Aspin Classic (about 420# "bare" /accessories /spare tyre /window canopies/ awning & poles /cooler /reflector bar - expect it to top out about 550# loaded)

Got one of the inertia ones (controllers)(forgot which one now,,,,,)

Ended up using a "Tupperware-like"  waterproof box (locks on all 4 sides)(about 6"-8"-3") from WWorld - the controller fits perfect. mounted it on the tongue behind the cooler mount..

Works GREAT - have the "aggressive" set kinda low... really a FEELING when the trailer stops the bike..... wowwwww - after adjusting, all stops smooth not to forget the trailer, but the breaks DO make it nice.....

Will finish loading and balancing - looking for 20-25# on tongue??? need to get a 50# fish scale....

Need opinions on the cooler on tongue thing..... it looks to me like the weight will VARY fast....???? or should I just use it as another suitcase to keep weight balance and put the "cooler" inside so to move as needed???  wondering ???

Then trial running - THEN wife on board..... and off we go...

Take care - John B - Wisconsin Cheesehead '83 GL1100A 



01-11-07
This was a reply to a new Aspen Owner

Having an Aspen Classic since last spring w/brakes.. I will make some suggestions - take-um for what they are worth.... or not..

Some will disagree on what I do / have done, but it's mine and that is the way I like it....<gr>

I used the Prodigy controller, but I mounted mine on the trailer (in a waterproof clear box.  That saved room on the bike and the settings can be used for any vehicle (I tow behind the car too). - another thing - I put an on-off switch in the main brake power line - there WILL be times that you will NOT want brakes (such as loosing all brake power to one side.... very not nice BTDT and was VERY glad to have that switch)

Having said that there are several other things that I did, some sooner then others:

First off - remove the wheels (they put them on with an air wrench and you will NOT remove them in the field) when you reassemble Amti-seeze - tighten by hand (I got a folding X wrench from WalliesW good-reasonable-small space) - then repack the bearings!!!!! when you get then off you will know why..

When you adjust the brakes for the first time  (drum/shoe adjustment) click them up TIGHT and then back off several turns and readjust to just a slight drag - and back off 2-3 clicks. It is VERY important to get both brakes pulling the same.. and that will come with fiddling...

Adjusting the controller is a fun time - switch off while traveling to the BIG parking lot with a lot of room... I started out with medium settings and worked to fine tune things - all you want the trailer brakes to do is to just stop the trailer.... you should JUST feel the tug of the trailer...

When they are correct (for me) the brakes stop the trailer and you really do not know that if is there. There will be a "soft & gentle tugging" - juuuusssst-as-you-stop-moving... takes a little getting used to..

You WILL notice that the trailer IS there upon starting out..  Mine goes just over 625# loaded, I tow 2-up a lot and the wife and I are NOT small.. using a '83 Goldwing - GL1100A - driving around 60mph+ or as needed for road and safety conditions.  PLEASE - learn to drive (look) out 3 times as far as "normal" - stay on the ball as you can not dodge or swerve as "fast" as usual.....

All in all the Aspen is one GREAT camper - love ours - got 15+ sleeps and am waiting for the real spring in Wisconsin

There are several other mods that I did to my camper(trailer) - if you are interested, e-mail me off list and I will go over them (unless you-all-list-all wants to read...) let me know. (note - use sidebars at your left for more information)

Take care - John b

'83 GL1100A - '06 Aspen Camper