Trailer Brakes Do I need it ?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

ny. i am also in fl and i believe you are required to have brakes on anything over 3000lb. with brakes on ALL wheels. so far i have not seen a lot of enforcement and don't know of anybody getting a ticket. i also have a tandem axel with no brakes and would not consider putting them on unless they step up enforcement. my normal trailering is about 5 miles and speeds under 35 mph. i do trailer to the keys every 2 years and have been very lucky, it is a 12 hour drive with a very high pucker factor. i guess a lot of the decision is your normal route to the water.

A lot also depends on the tow vehicle. Legal considerations aside for the moment, the one thing you must consider is can you stop the trailer and the boat safely in an emergency? If you have a big tow vehicle like a full size pick up in the F150 class or above then you shouldn't need brakes on the trailer. But for lighter vehicles (even those with good braking systems) you have to have brakes on the trailer. In an emergency stop situation the mass and the inertia of the boat and trailer can literally push your car right into an accident.

As to the brakes themselves, I know that everyone in the industry says get disk brakes.... but I've been using drum brakes for tens of years with no problems... Just remember to clean them and do normal maintenace on them and they will last you as long as your trailer. Oh... and (IMHO) use surge brakes, not electric.. I've heard too many horror stories about electric systems.. Hydraulic surge brake systems are simple... and simple is usually better. Just my 2 cents