towing V20 w/explorer

[Jester]

Okay, I've had a lot of experience with trailers, brakes, and the whole 9-yards lately, so here's my 2-cents.

1. Although you may not NEED brakes to stop a boat as light (relative term) as the V-Step20, a lot of states are now requiring them on trailers of a certain size, especially tandems.

2. The brake actuator on my new boat's trailer was shot, and the old drums didn't look much better. Since I'm going to be doing a lot of long hauls with this new boat I looked into replacing the brakes. I spoke with the Load-Rite factory guys and they said "DISC" is all they install now and they urged me to replace the old drums with disc. I'm fortunate in that I go right by Eastern Marine Distributors on my travels up to the new boat's location in NJ.... and they are the biggest (and maybe the least expensive) trailer parts place on the East Coast. New stainless-steel disc brakes with new hubs, bearings, etc., $99 each. And they're in Delaware, no sales tax!!

Check out: http://www.easternmarine.com/

2. I just put a Class III (6000lbs/10,000lbs with weight distributing stuff) Draw-Tite that bolts directly to the frame (with 6 bolts) in existing holes for $136. It took about 35 minutes to inststall.

Check out: http://www.etrailer.com

The site askes your vehicle and shows you all the hitches that fit, and give you installation tips (like installation time, level of difficulty, and drill/no drill).

That's my bit.