An Ol Timer wrote:Isn't this just a mechanical version of the hydraulic surge brakes that we use now?
Yes. Being mechanical means that they're simpler/cheaper.
An Ol Timer wrote:Having had a car years ago that had cable operated mechanical brakes I know that they had to be adjusted frequently.
Modern trailer brakes here don't seem to need this - once a year at most. I think this is helped by the overrun (surge) coupler - the sort of free play that would be undesirable in a car brake pedal isn't really noticeable.
And, yes, you get a handbrake. So you will see all European trailers have nose wheels so they can be moved around, hitched up, etc, easily. Which explains why the Tab has those handles like most trailers here.
Andrew