trailer brakes

jetblue319 · #1 09-25-2012, 11:18 PM

i have a tandem trailer that i will be rebuilding for my 86 v20 with Johnson 150 outbd. i purchase two axles already and now i realize my combine trailer,boat weight, might be near the Florida limit of 3000 lbs for brakes required on a trailer. Can i weld brake flanges on the axles?
thanks
jetblue

macojoe · #2 09-26-2012, 05:15 AM

Screw the Law!! I would not ever think of brakes on a boat!! Any time I have had them they no work in short order! Ma. requires them after a weight and I have ripped them out and threw away first sign of trouble!

One more headache you don't need!!
I tow a 23' Sea Ox now, (about 6000# loaded ) and just bought a used trailer for it, tore the brakes out and put all new hubs on it. Tows great, and no breaks. Just slow down and watch the other drivers.

Disturbed · #3 09-26-2012, 07:11 AM

Jetblue319, I have to agree with Macojoe. I pull my V20 with a dual axle trailer using my 06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the frist thing I did when I got the trailer was to take the brakes off. I haven't had any problems with stopping whatsoever. You just have to plan ahead for your stops and drive carefully as I'm quite sure that you already do. I see that you live in Florida as I do, so the only ones you really have to worry about making it an issue is Florida DOT cops. They look mostly for commercial vehicles and I've never heard of them stopping boaters to look at their brakes. The only time it would most likely be looked at is in a traffic crash if you were pulling the trailer. I know LOTS of cops that have boats larger than mine that took their brakes off. Just make sure your vehicle has adequate stopping power and you should be good. Just my .02 cents.

jasoncooperpcola · #4 09-26-2012, 08:35 AM

Being from Florida too, i dont want brakes on my boat trailer. just something else to go wrong.

RidgeRunner · #5 09-26-2012, 10:29 AM

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.

bradford · #6 09-26-2012, 10:56 AM

Dunking trailer brakes in saltwater is part of a vast Illuminati conspiracy.

phatdaddy · #7 09-26-2012, 11:31 AM

also in fl, also no brakes, but the state is starting to shake the bushes looking fo ANY reason to give out tickets. i have never had them, but my tow is only about 4 miles round trip.

if you just bought the axels, maybe you can swap them for axels w flanges. if you weld them now, you will loose the galvanizing and they will rot pretty quick.

jetblue319 · #8 09-26-2012, 11:05 PM

guess i will take all your advice, and hold off for on those brakes for now, my trip to the gulf is only 50 miles round trip and only 10 to the bay from tampa. i plan to replace springs, axles. tires, this weekend.
thanks everyone jetblue

Genie Aye · #9 09-27-2012, 12:41 AM

My experiance---get brakes on the trailer--I had to switch from drums(crap) as others have stated to Disc and have been ecstatic about the performance and NO issues with over 2 years on them and always in the saltwater. #2--If you do get in a accident and your insurance or the others insurance finds out--You are SCREWED!! It is cheap compared to what you could get sued for--above and beyond your insurance coverage--if they even cover ya.

Think about it seriously!!

Get rid of them drums and step up to the disc's.

There is my .02

randlemanboater · #10 09-27-2012, 10:04 PM

I have disc brakes on mine...no trouble in over 3 years of use in both salt and fresh water...every time they go in salt I flush them well with fresh water.

Towing with my wifes Pilot, I would not want to go without them (it was right scary with my old trailer without brakes).

I would bet a V-20 fully equipped PLUS the weight of the trailer is at least 4000 pounds, that is like doubling the weight of a lot of tow vehicles.