Trailer Brakes Do I need it ?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by cfelton

The trailer I have came out from under a 26ft. Bayliner. I shortened it up and moved the axles and roller cradles forward to balance the weight. I removed the remains of four drum brakes and replaced the wheel bearings. The trailer is really heavy duty and galvanized so its really HEAVY! I pull it with a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 v6 automatic and only had trouble one time.
I was coming home from the Outer Banks behind 3 minivans full of folks from Maryland and the third time they slamed on brakes I locked the brakes up and it felt like it picked the rear end of my truck off the road. I came so damn close to hitting them, it wasn't funny. When I got home I ordered a new surge actuator and a set of Kodiak Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and installed them on the front axle. Now when I hit the brakes the boat trailer stops the truck. I love em!

Amen!!!! ,

My Eureka moment came when I was trailering my 21' Cruisers with my Cherokee and we were going down a hill late at night. There was a light at the bottom of the hill that changed just before I got to it so I hit the brakes... and the boat pushed me about 5 -10 feet into the intersection. Thank God there were no vehicles coming from the sides, and no cops around to see me half run a red light. I've had brakes on my trailers ever since then. It's just plain good old horse sense to have them.