I am seriously looking into installing an electric brake on my sidecar. The came-with sidecar wheel has a 200mm ID drum, so my first choice is to find an electric trailer brake that fits. Sadly, I'm having no luck. An 8" trailer brake plate could be made to work, I think, by dint of machining down the brake lining radii about 0.070". But 8" trailer brakes don't seem to exist. Trailer brake sizes seem to go from 7" up to 10" without any stops in between.
Looking online for 200mm european-spec electric trailer brakes (and caravan brakes) also has been fruitless to date. That is puzzling to me, but maybe I'm not searching for them effectively.
The closest I've come to finding what I need is Volkswagen parts. The rear drums on many older VW's have 200mm ID. But then I'd have to come up with a way to actuate them. Electric trailer brake parts are available, but could I lash them up to a brake assembly that were not designed for them? Dunno, but I'm doubtful.
I've thought that there might be brake plates made for antique cars that would fit, but again I am faced with finding a way to actuate same.
I've looked among the sidecar manufacturers for a suitable brake, but not found anything so far. They do sell disk brake setups, but I was hoping to avoid an expensive refit. At this point it looks to be my only workable option.
Has anybody gone the electric trailer brake route? Am I overlooking something obvious here?
My goal is to control the pulls-to-the-left issue under heavy braking. I'm hoping that some sidecar braking will reduce the sideways loading on the front wheel enough to keep the rig heading straight if I have to really stand on the brakes.
Best,
Ed Bianchi
'87 BMW K75C/Dauntless "Lady Carol"
