Trailer brakes and bearings....

[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

[phatdaddy]

i have heard of check points in the keys where the state troopers,fdot,fwc are stopping vehicles to do safety inspections. those that fail are not allowed to leave until corrected. i think a v on a tandem axle would be required to have brakes on both axles.
never saw this firsthand, but read it on the internet, so it's gotta be true.

[Destroyer]

I really don't understand the problem with having brakes on a trailer. They're not that much trouble, and they are required in a lot of states, mine included. I mean, as long as you give them proper maintenance they last a hell of a long time. I think it's over 4 years on my present set, and they still work fine. Come home, jack up axle, remove spindle nut and slide off tire and drum. Pressure wash inside of brake drum and brake assembly, Blow dry with compressed air, quick shot of WD40, replace tire, do other side. Viola.. less than one hour for all 4 wheels. What's the problem? It's just like any other mechanical item... you have to do the maintenance. You wash the boat, so why not the trailer and the brakes?