Tekonsha P3 brake system.

[reddiesel]

I have a lynx prowler caravan with twin axle electric brakes, i have bought a p3 to fit but after checking up on the gov.uk site for the rules and regs of usa caravans in the uk, it states (unless im reading it wrong) that the eu regulations say that the control unit should be fitted in the caravan not in the towing vehicle, which seems ridiculous as apart from not being able to use the functions and adjusting for different conditions you cant read the diagnostic function if you have a fault develop.
Has anyone got or used one of these ?

 

[Damian]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Sadly I do not think anyone using this site has knowledge of the barking system you are asking about as electric braking is not permitted on caravans in the UK, nor used by any of the main manufacturers.
The only, electronic "braking" as such is in the form of either the Al-Ko ATC or BPW IDC, both of which are totally caravan located and not adjustable and only come into when sensing the start of a snake, then they apply the brakes on the van momentarily.

In the UK we are still in the Stone Age and rely on good old fashioned brake rods and Bowden Cables.

 

[reddiesel]

Thanks for your reply, not sure if i can post the link to gov.com site the 2011 doc says they are legal to use , not the older type with manual control though, these are controlled by the brake lights..
The previous owner had his control fitted in his vehicle which i was going to do until i did some research, i expect the insurance co would be on to this in the event of an accident although i cant see the reasoning behind this rule, probably written by some bureaucrat without a clue ?
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc="s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CD0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.direct.gov.uk%2Fprod_consum_dg%2Fgroups%2Fdg_digitalassets%2F%40dg%2F%40en%2F%40motor%2Fdocuments%2Fdigitalasset%2Fdg_200827.pdf&ei=BfZvU83dB8LVOd3OgZgI&usg=AFQjCNF6auIzJPHa7k3DyK08ArKfDCQaZg&sig2=L8UawJcBGJk8NV7XLypa9w&bvm=bv.66330100,d.ZWU"

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi red,
having read the link it seems pretty clear what the regs are, fitting the control unit in the towing vehicle could cause complications in the event of a power loss to the trailer, plus if it became detached the trailer has to operate it's own brakes by a mechanical means,
as Damian said we may be still in the stone age regarding trailers but it 's done for a reason.

 

[reddiesel]

Hi Colin yes i see your point but it is fitted with a handbrake with a breakaway cable, and the regs say the control unit has to be powered from the tow vehicle, the control unit also has a manual lever which could be used in the event of the brake light switch failing which would be useless fitted in the caravan as would the diagnostics and other functions, i think the regs need updating probably based on the older time delay unit, the only way around it i can see is fitting another unit one in the caravan and one in the tow vehicle but i dont think they would match up in sync together being the proportional type ?

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi red,
I understand your predicament, but unfortunately unless you can comply with the regulations. it would make towing the van on European roads (inc uk) illegal.
I have no experience of the braking system you refer to, however I once owned a Opel Kadette 2.2GSI motorsport that had electronic brakes. that could be activated by the use of a paddle on the steering wheel. i seem to remember that extensive modifications to the braking system had to be done in order to put it on the road,

 

[Gafferbill]

Hi reddiesel...........hope you don't use the stuff in your road vehicle.

If I were you I would be asking your question about electric brakes on trailers at the Drivers & Vehicle Standards Agency.
They are usually very helpful with technical matters.
Bring up their web page..........

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency
........then use their email address link towards the foot of the page starting enquiries @ vosa ........can't post the link directly as it is protected and only works via their encrypted link on their web page!

 

[reddiesel]

Thanks everyone for your interest, Gafferbill i have sent an email and i will let you all know the outcome.