Rice Trailer renovation

R

ronecc

New User
Joined
9 November 2017
Messages
2
Visit site
I have just finished the renovation of an old Rice trailer. Well, I say finished, but I really need to upgrade the braking system, as parts for the original are non existent. Has anybody had any experience with replacing the brake back plates etc, with more modern ones?? Or has anybody got a secret stash of original (new) parts?
 
Hi ronecc, I do this quite a lot.

There's options, depending on your budget. If you're prepared to swallow it, you can replace both axles and coupling etc., but that's not an inexpensive option.

There are still a few parts out there, depending on what you need and whether they're Mk1 or Mk2 Lockheed auto reverse brakes. If it's the shoes, you can have them relined. Most of the other parts can be cleaned up and serviced.

An issue you'll find with replacing the backplates with more modern ones is that the coupling won't have an auto reverse mechanism, though there are ways around this too.

I recently welded new backplates on to an old Rice and replaced the rods with cables, so it is possible!

All the best, Ben
 
Myself and my OH refurbed the brakes on my 70s Beaufort last year. It has huge drums, but I found new, aftermarket shoes at a caravan parts shop. I did ask about relining, but even with trade pricing it was expensive. OH made up new rods and sourced the clips and we connected the breakaway cable correctly - it was set up in a more conventional way, so the brakes would have released as soon as the cable broke. Not a great idea!

The only part that was seized, was one of the expanders and we couldn't find the right one anywhere, so I soaked it in rust remover, took it apart, painted it with zinc stuff and reassembled it with plenty of grease. It works perfectly, the brakes are great now.

So, not a pain in the backside at all. Availability of parts seems to depend on the size of drum you have, some parts are more easily available than others.

All I need now, are rear doors and breast bars....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top