Cary Winch wrote:Fortunetely not too many of the european countries require that I have talked to. How about the UK there Andrew?
There is no legal requirement for brakes on trailers below 750kg (1650lb), though a trailer over 500kg (1100lb) doesn't have a very wide range of tow vehicles that can tow it without brakes - our vehicles are that much smaller.
Over here, all trailer brakes are the overrun (=surge) type operated by mechanical cables - yup, just like on Model Ts! It is so easy to add a parking brake lever on the side of the overrun coupler that it isn't possible to buy a overrun coupler without the lever.
I've said it before, but it's a shame you can't buy them in the US as they would be ideal for a teardrop. Their simplicity means they actually get fitted and used (you have to use 'em, if they're fitted!) - electric brakes may be better, but they seem to have a lot of practical reasons for not being used and even then don't provide a parking brake.
Andrew