How a current Bradley braked over run trailer coupling works

This Video shows the operation of a coupling and what happens as you slow your tow vehicle down to apply the brakes.
most of the parts within the trailer coupling are identified with the job they have to carry out.
the handbrake system is also explained.
We have many more videos on UA-cam to do with the repair and maintenance of trailers and identifying trailer parts.
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Trailer spares, trailer parts, Trailer maintenance, Trailer servicing, Trailer repairs, Towing and trailers ltd,

[@regieboix2]

Hi, I bought an old LM146G trailer, Has a Bradley HU12 coupling, (SAME AS YOURS I THINK) I want to overhaul the brakes as they don't work, It needs new cables, Your vids will come in very handy as they are the best online, I have a question if you can help = What is that small rectangular cutout on top back end of the coupling, next to the jocky wheel hole ? My trailer has same cutout rectangle hole and a metal mechanism sticking out, its not there on yours, what is it and what does it do?. Also i pulled my hand brake on but for the life of me I cant pull it back off, Its so tight, ill need a scaffold tube to help lever the hand brake off, Why could this hand brake lever be so hard to pull off ?, Ime worried if i use a long tube for a lever it might damage something, Great vids mate, Thanks, Dave

[@TowingAndTrailersLtd]

Hi Dave
The coupling used in the video is a smaller HU3 not the HU12 you have but all the principles are the same.
The mechanism you mention in the top of the coupling is a reverse stop assembly it comes as standard on the hu12 but is an optional extra on the HU3 this is pushed down then slid forward to stay in place it stops the draw tube in the centre of the coupling moving backwards and engaging the brakes but once it has done this the spring makes it lift out as there used to be instances where the old style reverse stops on other couplings were left in place and people would be driving with no brakes.
The handbrake lever problem
There are a few causes for this.
first it is going back too far this is usually due to the brakes being out of adjustment or the auto reverse mechanism activating in the brakes although it is rare that the auto reverse mechanism does this. When the handbrake goes back too far it can be very hard to pull off.
2nd the pivot on the handbrake could have seized this is the bolt that goes through the middle of the handbrake this can be too tight or have stuck to the handbrake to check this loosen the bolt through the middle of the handbrake and make sure the brake link connected to the threaded bar is free.
3rd and most common is the energy store ( the large cylinder fastened to the handbrake) this is a large spring that operates the handbrake and keeps the force on when applied with this being a round spring in a round tube as both begin to corrode the spring begins to seize and restricts the movement to check this is not easy but as you apply the handbrake it will not snap on it will be a little more gradual and you should be able to hear the rust getting moved around (crunching) the rust can also get stuck in the spring that stops it compressing fully and stops you taking the handbrake off.
We have a video showing how to change an energy store that can be found at ua-cam.com/video/hbq-XmEWE94/v-deo.html.
Due to the price of parts and the age of your coupling if original (Bradley couplings have not been used on Ifor Williams trailers since mid 90's) I would check the rest of the coupling to make sure it is a viable repair check the following
Damper is it working will it push in with a lot of force and come back out slowly?
draw tube is it straight?
head is it tight on a tow ball and no play.
main thing does the draw tube have vertical play in the main cast body ? this is important as there are no bushes in the main body and if it has vertical play it is usually wear in the main casting not the drawtube and you can not by replacement cast bodies.
Your trailer would probably have al-ko brakes if it has a Bradley coupling all Al-ko brake parts can be found at www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-brake-parts/al-ko-200-x-51mm-trailer-brakes/ Please note the backplates on this page do not bolt onto Ifor axles.
if you have one of the later Ifor williams trailers it may be on Knott brakes 250x40 the parts for these can be found at www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-brakes-and-parts/knott-250-x-40mm-trailer-brakes/
there were 3 different brake cables fitted when the HU12 was used
Early trailers had fixed eye cables that can be found at www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-brake-parts/trailer-brake-cables/knott-fixed-eye-trailer-brake-cables/
For a short period after Al-ko detachable cables were used which can be found at www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-brake-parts/trailer-brake-cables/alko-old-style-detachable-brake-cables/
then they moved to knott brakes that used these cables. www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-brake-parts/trailer-brake-cables/knott-detachable-brake-cable/
for coupling spares please see www.towingandtrailers.com/products/trailer-parts/trailer-couplings/spare-parts-for-trailer-couplings/bradley-coupling-spares/hu12-3500kg-spares/
Kind regards
Towing and trailers ltd
www.towingandtrailers.com
01909 473749

[@dan8789]

Hi
How come the brakes don’t get activated when reversing a loaded trailer up hill?
Thanks

[@TowingAndTrailersLtd]

Hi
Modern brakes have auto reverse systems these are built into brakes and when the shoes are pushed backwards the shoes shrink
These systems are not always reliable in the situation you have mentioned and only tend to work on well serviced brakes as if there is any resistance in the system such as
Brake cables
Expanders
Compensators
or even the reverse system it self
these will not operate correctly
Also if you have an heavy load and slowly push the brakes on slowly the auto reverse system may not activate correctly.
If you have this problem I find that pushing the trailer quickly helps the reverse mechanism operate correctly.
For more information on Trailer brakes please see our play lists.
Al-ko brakes
ua-cam.com/play/PL01a4qPsS1zsH9YtBy1aGx46LCUMtI-zs.html&si=hak2DZPL-1Ttulv5
Knott brakes
ua-cam.com/play/PL01a4qPsS1zuSCDYJjZ3t78lISGiS9aWO.html&si=4UU1D-yE2o1ValvH
Trailer couplings
ua-cam.com/play/PL01a4qPsS1zuCa_tYczUXenDtVI4v6G0V.html&si=Mhp_4CYsdaupsOxJ
Hope this helps
Towing and trailers Ltd
www.towingandtrailers.com