Holiday Considertowing? an electric brake controller

HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME WHEN A LOT OF US HIT THE ROAD WITH A CARAVAN, WATERCRAFT, MOTORBIKES, OR SOME OTHER EQUIPMENT IN TOW, KEEN TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS WHILE THE WEATHER’S STILL FAVOURABLE

For some, coupling a trailer to the back of the four-wheel drive or family wagon might be a regular thing, but for others it may be a oncea-year occurrence. Whether experienced or novice though, all drivers will benefit from having an electric brake controller fitted to their vehicles, especially if towing heavier trailers over longer distances.

Legally, depending on the trailer’s gross trailer mass (the weight of the trailer and everything in it), an electronic brake controller, such as Bendix Ultimate Tow, will be needed.

Keeping Things Legal

As a starting point, drivers should be aware of their vehicle’s towing capacity and ensure this isn’t exceeded. Certain larger caravans — even unladen — may already be pushing the tow limits of some medium sized four-wheel drives.

Under some countries’ laws, trailers with a gross trailer mass of between 750kg and 2,000kg need to be fitted with either a mechanical or electrical braking system. And anything over 2,000kg usually needs to have an electric, or electric over hydraulic brake with an electric ‘break-away’ function.

Break-away systems are designed to activate the trailer or caravan’s electric brakes if they decouple from the tow vehicle. Drivers will of course still benefit from an electric brake controller even if their trailer’s gross mass is less than what’s stipulated by law — it provides them with additional surety and peace of mind in the knowledge they have the technology in place to help them deal with any issues that may arise.

Tow Vehicle Gvm And Modifications

In Australia and New Zealand, the two tow vehicle types normally used are dual cab four-wheel drive utilities (and their wagon derivatives), along with full size fourwheel drives such as the Land Cruiser and Patrol.

While most of these models have generous braked towing capacities of up to 3,500kg and GVMs around the 3,000kg to 3500kg mark, once fitted with a few accessories and loaded up with equipment, supplies and occupants, they will be very close to operating near their maximum GVM. Also remember that when towing, the tow ball weight figure of the trailer or caravan also contributes to the tow vehicle’s overall GVM status.

The result of this situation is that considerably more pressure is being placed on the braking system, and if the tow vehicle is fitted with larger tyres, this further compounds the problem — a 10 per cent increase in tyre size means 10 per cent more braking force is needed. So even if on paper the towing capabilities of the tow vehicle sit within the legal requirements, it’s common sense to invest in an electric brake controller for the added safety it provides.

Bendix Ultimate Tow Electric Brake Controller

Developed, fully programmed, and tested from an Australian facility, Ultimate Tow features its own unique braking algorithm, ensuring superior performance and reliability in demanding local conditions. When hitched to trailers and caravans with electric brakes, the electric brake controller activates and controls the braking force supplied by the electric brakes in the caravan or trailer whenever the driver in the tow vehicle applies the brakes.

The controller allows braking to be easily modulated by adjusting the dial left for a lower setting, or right for maximum setting. This adjustment might be needed when descending steep hills or mountain roads, providing the driver with additional controlled braking capacity.

Bendix Ultimate Tow also features an override function — if the driver notices that the trailer/caravan is swaying, they press the same dial to engage the override. This applies the trailer brakes independently without the tow vehicle brakes needing to be on, pulling the trailer or caravan into line and minimising the swaying effect. Other safety features include an open circuit and trailer disconnection indicator.

Ultimate Tow is suitable for installation in a wide range of popular vehicles and is compatible with the ALKO ESC systems fitted to many caravans and trailers.

The unit offers a compact, remote head and OEM-style finish with built-in LED for easy access during nighttime driving and attractive aesthetics.

Installing Ultimate Tow is also simple — only a single, small hole is required for the remote head and it can be located in the smallest of knock-out dash panels.

Placement is made even easier with the included 1.28m of cabling, which allows greater flexibility to mount the control unit in a variety of under dash or under seat locations. The control unit features rugged aluminium construction and can be installed on any angle, and everything required to fit Ultimate Tow is provided in the kit, so there’ll be no unexpected trips to the auto shop mid-job.

Bendix Ultimate Tow is available from leading automotive, 4x4 and camping stockists across Australia and New Zealand, and is covered by a three-year warranty.

Employment Opportunities

Mount Shop is an undercar parts specialist company that is well established in the automotive industry. We are a 100% kiwi owned private company and work off old school principles.

Due to a growth in business, we have employment opportunities available at three of our branch’s located around the country. The job role is mainly sales based helping customers with over the phone and counter queries.

You would need to have experience or an interest in the automotive industry, be computer literate, have good communication skills, keen to get stuck in and like working as a team.

Hours are Monday to Friday 8-5pm. No Saturday work so full weekend off, and a competitive remuneration package is offered depending on your qualifications.

Employment opportunities are available at our branches located in:

• Whangarei

• Hamilton

• Penrose

If you have experience in parts, workshop or know your way around a vehicle and are looking for a change then maybe this could be for you.

Please send your CV to: hemi@mountshop.co.nz along with which location you would like to apply for.

PARTSSUPPLY

Bearings,diffs,alternators,brake components, radiators,engine components,batteries,trailerparts

SERVICECONSUMABLES

WORKSHOP CONSUMABLES

Oils,grease,coolant,transfluid,bulbs,flushes

Rags,lubricants,PPE,aerosols,abrasives, cleaners,carcare,aircon

SUSPENSIONAND STEERING Tierods,balljoints,rackends, bushes,bearings,shocks

AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES Audio,performanceparts,bodykits, dressup,paint/wrap,driveline

WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT

GENERALREPAIRSERVICE

Diagnostics,hoists,electrics,powertools, handtools,specialistserviceequipment

Autoelectrical,clutches,cylinderheads, enginerebuilds,suspension,cooling

WINDSCREENSANDGLASSWindscreens,chiprepairs,sideglass, mirrors,wipers,customfitment

WHEELSANDTYRESOEMreplacement,tyres, fitting/balancing,repairs,consumables,innertubes

AUTOREFINISHERS

Restoration,smashrepairs,auto-bodysupplies,spraypainters,paintcorrection

DRIVETRAINREPAIRSERVICEAutomatics,Transfercases,Manuals,DSG’s,CVT’s, Differentials,Wheelbearings,TorqueConverters

PARTSSUPPLY

Bearings,diffs,alternators,brakecomponents,radiators, enginecomponents,batteries,trailerparts

SERVICECONSUMABLES

Oils,grease,coolant,transfluid,bulbs,flushes WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT

WORKSHOP CONSUMABLES Rags,lubricants,PPE,aerosols,abrasives, cleaners,carcare,aircon

SUSPENSIONAND STEERING Tierods,balljoints,rackends, bushes,bearings,shocks

AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES Audio,performanceparts,bodykits, dressup,paint/wrap,driveline

Diagnostics,hoists,electrics,powertools, handtools,specialistserviceequipment

GENERALREPAIRSERVICE

Autoelectrical,clutches,cylinderheads, enginerebuilds,suspension,cooling

WINDSCREENSANDGLASSWindscreens,chiprepairs,sideglass, mirrors,wipers,customfitment

WHEELSANDTYRESOEMreplacement,tyres, fitting/balancing,repairs,consumables,innertubes

AUTOREFINISHERS

Restoration,smashrepairs,auto-bodysupplies,spraypainters,paintcorrection

DRIVETRAINREPAIRSERVICEAutomatics,Transfercases,Manuals,DSG’s,CVT’s, Differentials,Wheelbearings,TorqueConverters

The Auto Channel supplier directory is your easy reference for sourcing a range of automotive products and services.

This directory is a paid service for businesses who supply to the New Zealand automotive trade. To secure your inclusion, contact Mark Everleigh on 021 140 6855 or mark.everleigh@viamedia.co.nz.