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We are considering buying a second-hand caravan.

Several of the caravans we have looked at have no brakes, or the brakes are disconnected, yet they still have a Warrant of Fitness.

Why is this, and is it legal to tow a caravan with no brakes?

Jane

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 20 January 2011

Brakes are not legally required unless the caravan has a fully laden weight capacity of over 2,000kg’s. Most average size caravans fall under this requirement.

If brakes are fitted however they must work.

The NZTA rule on braking states that any towing combination must be able to stop within 7 meters at a speed of 30kph.

One of the problems with caravan brakes is they can (and do) seize up due to lack of use when the caravan is parked up for the winter or not being towed. This can mean expensive repairs each time a WoF inspection is carried out.

This may well be the reason for the lack of brakes on some of the vans you have looked at.

As I have stated above; if brakes are fitted then they must work so in theory a caravan should not pass a WoF inspection with disconnected brakes.