Yup....New Jersey requires brakes on both axles....
Trailering overall has pro’s and cons...

First the steplift weights about 2000 lbs and with the motor it's still under 3000 but do you know how many boaters get rid of there trailer brakes, I bet at least half an them,its Illigal to do anything inn just, It's the law all I know is when your fishing and time to get your boat on the trailer it really sucks when they Are frozen ,do what's best for you and don't tell the cops cause everything in nj is Illigal

Question ? Is it a dual or single axle? Cause single axels don't have brakes at least mine doesn't

Dual

I would remove them but that's up to you

1. Stops a LOT better with brakes.......
2. It's the LAW in NJ.......
3. It's also an Insurance train wreck if an accident occurs.

But ...keep trailering without brakes.....it's up to you.

I have to put brakes on my "new" boat trailer. I am guessing it is close to 7000 pounds going down the road...I pulled my V-20 without brakes when I first got it but when I replaced its trailer I got brakes...I much prefer stopping with trailer brakes.

I don't care how careful I am, or how good a driver I am, when a car pulls out in front of me or traffic comes to an abrupt stop on the interstate and I have to stop fast, I want trailer brakes.

Does your state require boat trailer brakes ?

I wouldn't want to be faced with the liability of accident without in my state with brakes required. Could be like a train wreck......besides truck/ trailer wreck.

Over 1/2 way done installing the big Kodiak disk brakes so should be able to compare the " before and after soon."

Florida requires brakes on anything over 3000 lbs gross. The way trailer manufactures used to get away with it was when they sold u the trailer, it was empty and weighed less than 3000 lbs. I think now they have to go with the load rating plus the trailer weight. Also brakes are required on all axels.


Like RMB, i pulled my V to the keys 3 or 4 times with no brakes and was on the edge of my seat the whole way. Never really had an issue till a car ahead of me on the turnpike locked up his brakes and i hit mine too hard. Nothing happened, but i said if I made it back, i would Never tow one down there again without them.

Boat "may" weigh in at 2000 lbs, but when you add in the 500 lbs for the engine, and then the fuel, and then all your gear and the cooler packed with ice, and then the weight of the trailer itself, you'll be well over 3000 lbs. NJ law is based on your VGTW (Vehicle Gross Trailered Weight)... In other words the whole package including the trailer.

I remember once I was pulling my V with my Jeep Cherokee on my old single axle trailer without brakes. going down a hill towards an intersection. Not going really fast... about 25-30. As I was coming to the intersection the light changed and I hit my brakes... the weight of the boat and the trailer pushed me through the corner and about a third of the way into the intersection. Fortunately it was very late at night and no cars were coming from the side or the back so I was able to back up. Moral of the story is you never know when you'll need the stopping power of the trailer brake system, but if you don't have it you'll definitely know that you should have. (If you survive the experience)