Trailer brakes and bearings....

[RidgeRunner]

I agree with Destroyer on this one, unless there is excessive wear leave them alone. Good work on getting your hands dirty. It is gratifying, if not frustrating at times. Labor of love thing, thanks for sharing too..good info. Merry Christmas!

[macojoe]

Brakes on a boat are made to mess up!! Then yank them off and never worry again!! Thats what I have always done.

[phatdaddy]

gotta agree with mj, brakes on a boat are a waste.
having them on a trailer is a better idea...

i've never had them and never missed them until i got into a sudden stop situation on I-75 coming back from the keys. after that i always said if i ever trailer any distance, i'd have them. my commute is about 3 miles to the ramp, so i don't have them, but if i ever go on another long run, i'll have at least one axel done.

as far as rough vs smooth, i'd think smooth is better, but if they work and don't make noise, i'd leave em alone

[garbubba]

Third vote for forget about it. Trailer brakes on a boat trailer are just a scam for marina's to take your money.

Mind you I have them on my car hauler, and love them, but I don't dunk my car hauler in the ocean.

[garbubba]

Just reread phat's post,

But wouldn't you love to have brakes on a boat? I know there are a few times I'd have been pretty happy to have them.

Maybe we all need to have variable pitch props like modern warships, reverse the pitch & Voila! brakes.

[mawshj]

here is a thought, IF you are ever in an accident can you hear the opposing lawyer discussing your brakes being removed ? sad but true

[spareparts]

Originally Posted by mawshj

here is a thought, IF you are ever in an accident can you hear the opposing lawyer discussing your brakes being removed ? sad but true

This is a very big issue! Consider 90% of the boat trailers in this are that came with brakes have had them removed. I personally will not remove brakes from a trailer for a customer. One local trailer shop will not install brakes on a trailer under 6000 lb capacity, another shop will not workon brakes unless the customer signs a paper stating no warranty or responsibility for when they fail. Its catch 22