Trillium 1300 Axle Check, Fitting Electric Brakes

[Richard Hayes]

Just looked at a Trillium 1300, supposed to be a '78, but more likely a '74-'75; serial number is lower than one on a known '76. The trailer appears to be in very good condition. I have a couple of questions...

How does one check a torsion bar axle? The trailer seems to sit significantly lower than one - a '72 Trillium 1300 - I checked out a few weeks ago - that one has had the axle replaced, and now has springs. The one I saw today is sitting level, has equal tire-to-wheel well clearance on both sides, and responds to pressure on the 'bumper'...

Can the torsion bar axles be fitted with electric brakes? If so, I'd appreciate knowing what's involved, and having a ballpark figure for the necessary parts...

Finally, there appears to be a small crack in the frame on one side, just where it bends to go beneath the body; am I right in assuming this is the problem which is mentioned in the service bulletin,and can be corrected with the welded-on gusset?

Regards and thanks,
Rick

[Booker B.]

Hi Richard,

Some of the Trilliums (like mine) came stock with torsion bar axles and brakes. I have heard figures of between $600-800 CDN to replace the axle (originally they were dexter models and people tend to replace with similar dexter models) and wire in the brakes here in BC. I had a 72 Trillium and then found and bought my 76 just because it had the brakes already installed (plus as I have mentioned the 75+ models had better features).

[Roger C H]

Might be some help in here:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/resource_library