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06-08-2020, 04:58 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
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Newbie (trailer brakes?)
Hi. I'm brand new to the forum and to RVing. My wife and I just bought a 1983 Skyline Weekender. Bones of the trailer seem to be great. Roof and floors are solid. As you can imagine, it needs some TLC to be updated and freshened up inside. I looked it over yesterday and will pick it up later this week. It's at an RV repair shop now having a couple of things done before I pick it up.
I'll be towing about 2 hours home. It has no weight distribution setup (I'll buy and install that later). It has no sway bar. I'm wondering if it has trailer brakes...? My truck has the brake controller. Do any of you know if an '83 Skyline Weekender has trailer brakes. If not, can those be installed or should I even be that concerned? I've pulled lots of trailers in my life and am not overly concerned, but I want to be safe. I believe the trailer is 23 feet long if that matters.
Other than brakes, should I be concerned about towing it home before I install the WD hitch and sway control bar?
Also, since I'm a newbie, I'd take any other tips on first things I should be looking to replace, repair, update, inspect, etc... with such an old camper. Any help appreciated.
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06-08-2020, 05:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 473
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Yes you have trailer brakes.
Anything over 1,300 lbs must have working trailer brakes....
Its the law !!!!!!
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06-08-2020, 05:12 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,486
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Welcome to iRV2 
Yes it should have electric trailer brakes , and the brakes , wheel bearings and tires should all be properly serviced / repaired or replaced before venturing out for ANY distance . 
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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07-04-2020, 05:06 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Burien, WA
Posts: 84
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Without a WD hitch you might have an issue with trailer sway. Just be cautious above 50 mph. If you have no issues at 50, you could inch up the speed to see how it handles.
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07-04-2020, 05:25 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrapperjohn
Yes you have trailer brakes.
Anything over 1,300 lbs must have working trailer brakes....
Its the law !!!!!!
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But this trailer was built in 1983. Was it the law back then to have trailer brakes? X2 on servicing the wheel bearings and brakes if this trailer has them. The tires would also be suspect. How old are they and if not expired, do the tires have cracks in them?
__________________
Elbridge Price, 1998 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher
Cummins 6.8.3 mechanical injectors, Spartan Chassis
2016 Toyota Prius; Acme EZE Tow Dolly
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07-04-2020, 05:43 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,439
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The used camping trailer I had in the mid 70s had trailer brakes.
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07-04-2020, 06:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charlevoix, Michigan
Posts: 611
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Brakes have been required in most states since the 50s-60s, My Dad got rid of our 1946 Nash rather than retrofit it with brakes replacing it with a 1960 16 foot Nomad with brakes. We sold the Nomad when Dad passed on.
__________________
GSMC(SW) U.S. Navy (RETIRED) 1967-10-03 to 1993-11-01
1995 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser on Spartan EC-2242 Chassis, Cummins B5.9, Allison MD3060, TST 507 , Toad: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite W/Roadmaster tow setup
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