Trailer brakes PIA - Page 3

THEFERMANATOR · #21 12-19-2007, 02:53 AM

It wasn't bad with my SUBURBAN, but the JEEP was another story. Really brings new meaning to using a vehicle heavier than what your towing. Let's see here, CHEROKEE fully loaded weighs in at around 3800-3900 pounds. Boat weighs in at a conservative 8000 pounds with trailer. Wait a minute, aint it supposed to be the other way around ;D. And I remember the post here awhile back regarding somebody wanting to know if the V-20 was to big to tow with a CHEROKEE.

randlemanboater · #22 12-19-2007, 10:27 AM

You wont need brakes on the trailer, until you do. Just keep good insurance on everything.

mpcalfa2 · #23 12-19-2007, 06:36 PM

Glad someone brought up this issue as my trailers brakes are not hooked up. I pull with a V10 Ram 2500 full size so I guess I shouldn't worry. I don't pass by too many gas stations without stopping in unfortunately.

wpearch · #24 12-19-2007, 06:53 PM

guys just remember if you have a wreck and your trailer brakes are not hooked up or not working and someone gets hurt or worse thy can go after you for negligence

Monkey Butler · #25 12-20-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

You wont need brakes on the trailer, until you do. Just keep good insurance on everything.

Quote:

guys just remember if you have a wreck and your trailer brakes are not hooked up or not working and someone gets hurt or worse thy can go after you for negligence

It's all fun 'til someone loses an eye... and calls a lawyer.

I like my brakes but if they start to fall apart in a few years I'd think twice about replacing them. I don't have an exact "break even" point in my head but if I get 7 or 8 years out of them I think I would reinvest in replacements.

Ferm the 248 and 250 are the same, on the backside of some of the plywood in my cockpit it has "248" written in magic marker. '86 must be the year they came up with the 250 designation.

Airslot, I read on the Champion Trailer website that the brakes should go on the rear axle. I worked thru the physics in my pea brain and it seems to make sense, at least for leaf springs. I'm not sure if it would make a difference with torsion springs though. Just curious what the reasoning is for the front axle?

THEFERMANATOR · #26 12-20-2007, 01:59 AM

86 was the year they went to the 250. The early 250's were leftover 248's with the 2 1/4 births in them. Late 86 came out with the stand-up enclosed head and added a livelwell to the the starboard side. You normally put brakes on the front axle because the front of the springs on the front axle are normally anchored solid to the frame. When you have an equalizer, it would be pulling on it before the frame and would give a springing under braking. And on torsion axles, the weight will transfer onto the front axle under braking due to the weight pushing down on the tongue. So logically youy want them on the front axle if any axle.

Monkey Butler · #27 12-20-2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

MB is that the trailer to your 250? When i towed our 250 home i used the companies cargo truck which weighs 15,000 pounds empty and it was like the boat wasn't even back there. And i didnt even have brakes on the trailer. as a matter of fact the trailer has flanges for brakes but no brakes. My question is do you think i'll need to put brakes on it if i tow it wth my 94 F-150 or my 03 Sierra? Mostly we'll be towing about ten miles but we will tow it about 30 miles during some tournaments.

Honestly, with a little extra caution I don't think that towing the 250 behind either one of those vehicles is going to present a hazard in itself. Things that I would consider that might push you in the direction of adding brakes are:

What's the terrian like where you live? I have some long grades and steep hills in my locale. Without brakes, even on modest inclines, The increase in braking effort was significant.
What's your normal load? I often have 8 people in the Suburban, and in the boat 100+ gallons of gas, a few coolers of ice and drinks, fishing gear, beach gear, food, water, anchors, etc, etc... The extra space and volume of the 250 makes it easy to load up with extra weight without even noticing.
Peace of mind. When towing with a full load on busy summer weekends the shorter stopping distance and better handling are most appreciated.

Airslot · #28 12-20-2007, 02:38 AM

Every trailer I've had or seen with brakes on one axle has been brakes on the front.

'Slot

Monkey Butler · #29 12-20-2007, 02:44 AM

Here is what Champion trailer says on their website...

http://www.championtrailers.com/techsup.html

When only one brake axle is being installed on a tandem axle trailer, the brakes should be on the rear axle for maximum system performance. Rotational torque applied to axles during braking shifts the equalizer and applies more weight to rear axle. If brakes are installed on the front axle, the wheel may skid during braking. Brakes on rear axle are more effective as the equalizers shifts and the rear tires dig in to the pavement.

To me it makes sense if you consider torque and not linear force. Like why you put ladder bars on your leaf spring hot rod. But on torsion srings I can see the weight transfer to the front axle.

Monkey Butler · #30 12-20-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslot

Every trailer I've had or seen with brakes on one axle has been brakes on the front.

'Slot

I agree, that's how everyone I have seen is set up. But Champion is the only place I could find any recommedation in writing and they seem to be respected. That said, I don't think I've ever seen or heard about anyone skidding the tires with surge brakes so it's probably a moot point anyway.