Trailer Brakes Do I need it ?

nymack66 · #1 09-10-2010, 11:02 PM

I am posting this under modification because its exactly what I am thinking on doing. My Trailer Brakes are locking up again on a different hub this time.
The last time this happened the dealership replaced the entire hub/caliper hoses etc all under warranty.
When I cam back home from Boating last week it was so hot it was melting the grease and slinging it around the rim, what a mess ...
I am seriously thinking on removing all four disc brakes, I rinse and wash this crap and yet it acts up on me.
My fear is it will lock up, overheat the hub/rim and explode my tires and create havoc on the HWY.
My old trailer which was also a double axle no brakes was easier to haul.
Any DOT regulations I need to worry about? or I am doing something wrong?

phatdaddy · #2 09-10-2010, 11:22 PM

ny. i am also in fl and i believe you are required to have brakes on anything over 3000lb. with brakes on ALL wheels. so far i have not seen a lot of enforcement and don't know of anybody getting a ticket. i also have a tandem axel with no brakes and would not consider putting them on unless they step up enforcement. my normal trailering is about 5 miles and speeds under 35 mph. i do trailer to the keys every 2 years and have been very lucky, it is a 12 hour drive with a very high pucker factor. i guess a lot of the decision is your normal route to the water.

THEFERMANATOR · #3 09-11-2010, 01:41 AM

X2, over 3K and legally you are required to have em. With that said I don't have em on any of my boat trailers, and probably never will. If you have a decent size tow vehicle then I say use your head and disconnect em. Just remember though, if you get into a bad accident without em, you could be found liable even if it wasn't your fault because you didn't have brakes.

Destroyer · #4 09-11-2010, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

ny. i am also in fl and i believe you are required to have brakes on anything over 3000lb. with brakes on ALL wheels. so far i have not seen a lot of enforcement and don't know of anybody getting a ticket. i also have a tandem axel with no brakes and would not consider putting them on unless they step up enforcement. my normal trailering is about 5 miles and speeds under 35 mph. i do trailer to the keys every 2 years and have been very lucky, it is a 12 hour drive with a very high pucker factor. i guess a lot of the decision is your normal route to the water.

A lot also depends on the tow vehicle. Legal considerations aside for the moment, the one thing you must consider is can you stop the trailer and the boat safely in an emergency? If you have a big tow vehicle like a full size pick up in the F150 class or above then you shouldn't need brakes on the trailer. But for lighter vehicles (even those with good braking systems) you have to have brakes on the trailer. In an emergency stop situation the mass and the inertia of the boat and trailer can literally push your car right into an accident.

As to the brakes themselves, I know that everyone in the industry says get disk brakes.... but I've been using drum brakes for tens of years with no problems... Just remember to clean them and do normal maintenace on them and they will last you as long as your trailer. Oh... and (IMHO) use surge brakes, not electric.. I've heard too many horror stories about electric systems.. Hydraulic surge brake systems are simple... and simple is usually better. Just my 2 cents

randlemanboater · #5 09-11-2010, 09:52 AM

I had never had brakes on a trailer before I got my new trailer last year for the V........now every timeI have to stop in a hurry I say, "man its nice to have trailer brakes".

Of course my trailer is new and not acting up yet.

Like the other say, if its a short slow tow and you have a big truck, and you can stand the liability, take em off.

macojoe · #6 09-11-2010, 06:51 PM

I have never had them and never want them!! The ones on the Sea Ox were messing up when I got it and nw the drums are empty and I never filling them up again!

Blue_Runner · #7 09-13-2010, 08:09 AM

My trailer was brand new in 2005. The drum brakes were toast by 2007. I went to move the trailer one day and one side was locked. I love trailer brakes but salt really takes a toll on em. I just take it easy and remember to keep a good distance b/t other vehicles and start braking well before any stops and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm sure it wears out the brake pads on the Yukon much faster but its a trade-off.

Destroyer · #8 09-13-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

My trailer was brand new in 2005. The drum brakes were toast by 2007. I went to move the trailer one day and one side was locked. I love trailer brakes but salt really takes a toll on em. I just take it easy and remember to keep a good distance b/t other vehicles and start braking well before any stops and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'm sure it wears out the brake pads on the Yukon much faster but its a trade-off.

They have flush kits you can install so that when you flush your engine you can just attach the hose to the kit and flush your brakes also. Gets the salt out.. Yes, they will still rust, like everything else that's made of metal.. but it really helps lenghten the service life of them. I figure a hundred dollars every 4-5 years is a sound investment vs the cost of a single lawsuit.

Blue_Runner · #9 09-13-2010, 10:06 AM

My trailer had the flush kit from the factory. Flushed every time every time I took out of the salt. I spray the leaf springs at the car wash with freshwater immediately after taking out as well. Always put in at the lake when I get home which should help the trailer some too. The Yukon does a pretty good job stopping it so I'm not too worried about it. One less thing to maintain.

macojoe · #10 09-13-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

I figure a hundred dollars every 4-5 years is a sound investment vs the cost of a single lawsuit.

I don't own anything, except bills and they can have them!!