Trailer features

Hot Dipped Galvanised Steel Finish

Our trailer chassis frames are hot dipped galvanised and with high demand on quality, safety and reliability – that’s why we develop the very strongest, long lasting and sturdiest trailers you will find from Europe in Australia.

Our smaller trailer models are made from Galvalume, which is a steel sheet grade with a coating comprised of 55 percent aluminum and 43.4 percent zinc. In addition to the aesthetically pleasing surface it also has excellent corrosion protection, three times greater that of hot-dip galvanized sheet.

How do European Trailer Brakes Work? – The overrun braking system

Overrun brake

In Europe, almost all trailers including, caravans, tipper trailers, boxed trailers, boat trailers etc. are equipped with an overrun brake. It is a very simple and supremely strong braking system, essentially effective under all weights.

Operation

The principle of an overrun brake is very simple. If the car slows down or brakes, the trailer wants to push forward. This is called overrun. In order to prevent the towed trailer going too fast for the car to manage due to its mass, the overrun brake kicks in. There is a sliding piece mounted to the drawbar near the coupling, that contracts as soon as the towed trailer tries to overrun the car. As a result, the brake cables are pulled and the towed trailer brakes and slows down. Increased pushing force results in increased braking force. If the car stops braking, the brakes of the trailer release and you continue towing. With a properly attuned overrun brake you should not notice the braking movement of the towed trailer while driving your vehicle. However, always try to prevent sudden braking as much as possible and increase the brake pressure gradually when towings trailers.

Overrun Dampener

An overrun dampener (shock absorber) has been installed on the trailer in order to prevent the overrun brake from immediately engaging if you release the throttle or brake slightly. There are various dampeners available, depending on the mass of your trailer. If the towed trailer is heavier, the dampening effect has to be bigger as well. To ensure this is working properly you should ensure the vehicle is checked by a qualified technician of the manufacturer.

Reverse Driving

If you are driving in reverse, the trailer is pushing against your vehicle as well. In order to prevent the overrun brake from taking effect, a reverse mechanism has been included in the brake drums. This system also ensures that if you pull the handbrake of the towed trailer, the trailer can still move up to half a meter backwards.

Descending in the mountains

An overrun brake has its limits on steep hills as well. If you are descending down a steep slope with a constant speed (by braking with the engine), the towed trailer will constantly push against the car and thereby activate the brakes. The best thing possible to prevent this, is regularly schedule breaks in your journey to cool down the brakes on the trailer and your vehicle. This will also ensure your vehicle’s brakes and the trailer’s breaks will be stronger and long lasting.

Safety

Although we pride ourselves in supplying durable and long lasting trailers, safely arriving at your destination is first and foremost our focus when designing trailers. However, your personal responsibility lies in adjusting your driving behaviour, towing knowledge and attention to the road.

Handbrake Breakaway Cable

Our trailer features include the handbrake breakaway cable. If your trailer comes loose from your car during driving it results in an extremely dangerous situation. In addition, every towed trailer has a handbrake breakaway cable.

Function of the Handbrake Breakaway Cable – This cable ensures that the handbrake of the trailer is pulled as soon as the trailer separates from the car during driving. If you have securely fastened the handbrake breakaway cable to a fixed point of the car, the handbrake is pulled when tension is applied to the breakaway cable. As soon as the handbrake is engaged, the towed object will be brought to a halt.

Check If you have a standard towbar system, the breakaway cable can always be fastened to a specific breakaway point on the towbar. If you are buying a second-hand car, always check whether the towbar has a fastening eye. Always make sure that the cable is properly secured and that the brake system of the towed trailer are in working order. This should be checked by a certified technician of the manufacturer prior to using the trailer.

Lightweight Aluminium Profile

A premium trailer feature of double walled anodised sides, aluminium profiled for sturdiness. Our trailers are built for quality, stability and ultimate comfort. Truly world class quality, Variant aluminium built trailers are perfect for transporting bulk materials, building materials and machinery.

As a Danish concept, Variant sets design standards in Australian trailer engineering quality, new sizing – return on investment. The resulting longevity of quality components will continue delivering service for years to come. Flat top trailers & bases from 1.5m to 6.2m long, Plywood or steel floor widths from 1.4m to 2.5m wide. Low tare & strength – hot-dip galvanised chassis. Federally approved mechanical over-ride brakes. No requirement for electric brake controller to be fitted to the vehicle. Chosen option for companies with multiple vehicles, fleet and hire.

Tyres

All Variant Trailers feature new E4 rated tubeless radials. A radial tyre features transverse radial plies, that run perpendicular to the direction of travel, this assures less heat buildup and a softer ride.
Variant tyres are rated C for fuel efficiency, driving in wet conditions and ‘ medium ‘ for sound rating.

Rolling Resistance A to G is a measurement of fuel efficiency for the vehicles. The energy lost when the tyre is rolling on the road surface, the lower the resistance the greater the fuel reduction and CO2 levels.

A being the best performing tyre and G being the lowest.

Wet Grip A to G provides a sliding scale with information regarding the grip ability of a tyre in wet conditions. Higher performance tyres in this category would have shorter braking distance as opposed to lower performing ratings. A indicates the highest performance and G the lowest.

Noise 67 to 79 Db measures the amount of noise the bulls generates. Usually on the tyre label itself one black wave indicates the least amount of noise generated from the tyre. Three waves mean the highest amount of noise. This is measured in decibels. The higher the Db the greater the noise level.

Innovative Technology

Our new and continually progressing trailers contain additional valuable features which assist in improving the durability and strength of the trailers, accomplishing longer-lasting products. The oil damping to the spring in the energy store allows gentle and progressive application of the handbrake once the handbrake has passed “over the centers”. No more sudden surprises or injuries. Our Knott overrun brake systems are state-of-the-art and commonly used throughout Europe. Our tipper trailers use a completely wireless remote-controlled device for tipping, you can also easily access wireless control via an app on your mobile phone for convenience.

Extra Variant Trailer Features Include:

Safety Skid

The safety skid is an integral feature of the cast housing and prevents the overrun lever and handbrake lever from becoming damaged by debris and objects underneath the trailer.

Ease of Use

The Variant/Knott hitch coupling enables easy manoeuvring of the trailer. By using the tow hitch or handbrake lever, adjusting the trailer is simple and effortless.

Night Light

All our trailers come standard with white reverse light lenses for safe reversing and enhanced viewing through mirrors or reversing cameras. It also illuminates the area in the direction you want people to be aware of your driving.

Night Safety

Our Trailers come with safety white reflectors to the front, Amber reflectors to the side and red to the rear as standard. These are for safety at night when parked and unhitched to ensure the trailers are fully visible from all sides to oncoming vehicles.

Coupling

Whether it’s a 2700kg or 3500kg rated hitch, all our hitches and coupling have a lockable position for greater security for travelling on a journey or in a parked position. All Variant Trailers have an easy-to-use independent handbrake system built alongside the extra strong coupling.

Strength

It is vital for you to have absolute confidence in your trailer, particularly when in constant use. That’s why we develop durable, strong and sturdy trailers to ensure they are long-lasting and reliable for our customers. Our tried-and-tested welding technology makes us unique in being able to supply transport solutions that are dependable and can accomplish any job.