Converting US Trailer to Aus?
Submitted by Bradlze on Fri, 2012-09-28 08:09
Could anybody tell me the process involved in converting a US trailer to get registered here
including if the trailer is over 2.5m
As far as Im aware
Electrics need to be re-run
Re-Place Shackles
Re-Place Tow Hitch
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wangler
Posts: 607
Date Joined: 26/04/08
Brake lines
Check your brake lines comply
Want to make someone mad... tell a lie! Want to get the world upset... tell the TRUTH !
Dougie
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Lights, hitch including weld
Lights, hitch including weld on chain or link, overall width
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Bradlze
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 06/02/12
If the trailer is over the
If the trailer is over the 2.5m width can it not get registered or does it just have to have a permit?
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
You can just buy new
You can just buy new aus-compliant US trailers from the USA, but in terms of converting them ...
I think there is an issue not listed above where you need to have a different breakaway system than what most US-trailers run, if the load is over 2t?
The 2.5m issue confuses a lot of people. Pretty sure you can register overwidth trailers, and if you think about it, not much point converting your trailer to under 2.5 if the boat that goes on it is over 2.5, as you don;t tend to drive the trailer around much without the boat.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
pretty sure but not 100% that
pretty sure but not 100% that only the load (indivisable load) can be over.
Its only very specific items such as cranes that can be over. Even headers etc I think can only be driven with their bars intact along the farms frontage or between the owners propertys otherwise needs to be dismantled.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Bradlze
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 06/02/12
Yes the load would be over
Yes the load would be over 2t
trailer is already in Aus
Breakaway system? so the old cable or hydraulic brakes wouldnt do?
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Most hitches fom the US now
Most hitches fom the US now are adjustable and approved for use here.
2T break away is also approved here, just make sure you bring a huge screw driver to reset it once activated. All the inspectors want to see is that the brakes work if the trailer and car seperate.
If over 2T your chain link must be 8mm.
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
U can get lic for overwidth
U can get lic for overwidth without the use of signs and daytime only travel, just gota know where, golden handshake, business that does licencing inspections.....these businesses dont keep their inspection licences long tho haha. Till's right too, we did change the breakaway setup and fitted electronic brake controllers on some trailers where I used to work.
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Rob H
Posts: 5745
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Its 24 hr travel now if under
Its 24 hr travel now if under 2.7 meters
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Alot of folks change it but
Alot of folks change it but it's not necessary. The guy in the pits said I could not use, as he could not see it working, so I demonstrated it and he was satisfied and passed it.
Piggy
Posts: 538
Date Joined: 24/08/12
Easy
Its easy to get an american trailer to comply.
I recently modified mine to meet australian standards. Mine has a 25 foot trophy on it so its not a small trailer. Mine was 2.6m wide and I shortened the width, changed all electrics including wiring and lights, installed electric over hydraulic brakes.
All up it took me half a day to do, about $1200 in parts (including brakes ect) and half a carton of corona!!
I go boating not fishing
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Half a day! To fit and rewire
Half a day! To fit and rewire clearance lights, fit, plumb and wire the electric brake unit, shorten the width....? Fit diff offset wheels and change mud gaurds (before fitting lights), mate you musta racked up a few lines beforehand lol
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Piggy
Posts: 538
Date Joined: 24/08/12
Naa not real hard stuff
Naa not real hard stuff hey!
Wiring and lights took about an hour... Use the existing wires to pull the new wires through the length of the trailer... tek screw some light on!!
Wire up trailer plug and wiring for the electric brake pump probibly took half an hour
Fit electric over hydraulic pump and brake away system using existing hydraulic brake lines probibly and hour
Bled brakes... Another hour
fit tyres.... half an hour
Cut down my mud guards... That probibly took the longest, maybe 2 - 3 hours
Helps when I am a mechanic and had a mate whos an Auto Sparky helping!
Pretty basic easy stuff hey!!
I go boating not fishing
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
You didnt solder and
You didnt solder and waterproof shrink wrap all the wire joints and connections?
Piggy
Posts: 538
Date Joined: 24/08/12
connections
only had 1 connection each side at the rear lights in which we used deutz plugs which are a water proof plug and the main connections up the front for brake pump ect has all been soldered and shrink wrapped using self amalgamating heat shrink.
My mate that done it is an auto sparky who has done hundreds of trailers so hes pretty full bottle on everything!!
I go boating not fishing
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Amalgamating, sounds like
Amalgamating, sounds like some african jungle animal love making
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Piggy
Posts: 538
Date Joined: 24/08/12
hahah
Hahaha yeah it does sound a little different!!
I was thinking of self amalgamating tape.... the heat shrink we used was glue lined heat shrink, not self amalgamating LOL
I go boating not fishing
tim-o
Posts: 4657
Date Joined: 24/05/11
Yer, iv used the crimps that
Yer, iv used the crimps that have sealant at each end and you heat shrink them, easy and effective amalgamationismisticisation
I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.
Bradlze
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 06/02/12
hey piggy are both your axles
hey piggy are both your axles braked?
I saw this on the dpi webiste and my wallet cried
"Trailers having only a single axle and a GTM not exceeding 750kg do not require brakes. Trailers of GTM over 750kg must have brakes. Trailers of GTM over 750kg and not exceeding 2000kg must have braking on the wheels of at least one axle. Trailers of GTM over 2000kg must have braking on all wheels."