trailer brakes

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Agree that it is something else to break BUT, they are handy in a panic stop situation. Kodiac SS disc brakes last a very long while and are easy to service. Weld the flanges on and do it. One axle with brakes should suffice.

I gotta go with Ridge and a few others here.. Brakes are NECESSARY not only for the possibility of not killing someone, but also (as was already stated) to keep your a$$ from a huge lawsuit should you ever get into an accident and they find you are over the weight limit with no brakes.

Look, there's a reason they make brakes for trailers. They help you stop, they help your tow vehicle stay in a straight line, they help you trailer stay in a straight line. Ridge said it correctly... put one set on the front axle. Disks are nice, Drums work well also. Forget about anyone saying they rot out. If you do your maintenance correctly they will last you years and years. The set of drum brakes on my ShoreLine tandem is at least 5 years old and they still work fine. The secret? ..... Wash them with fresh water after a trip to the salt. That means jack up the trailer, remove the drum and hit it with the garden hose. Yes, it's a pain, but water is cheaper than a new set of brakes or (even worse) an accident. DO IT!!.