when are surge brakes required? What Length or Weight?

[jwharan]

I have an 18' Runabout. IT weighs 2700lbs. DO i need brakes on my trailer?

[DaveM]

It varies state to state. I personally would add brakes for a load like that. It is a small price to pay for that time when you really need brakes.

[fishingdan]

Depends:- Different states have different requirements. For example, some states requires brakes on trailers over 3000 lbs GVW.- Also depends on your tow vehicle. For example, my chevy venture can tow 3500lbs (I find that hard to believe!), but states that trailers over 1500lbs require brakes. Also "surge" brakes are one type of trailer brake system. The other common system is electric.

[roscoe]

Where are you located?Some states require brakes when gross weight reachs 1500#, some as low as 1000#.Don't forget to include the weight of all gear, batteries, motor, etc, and the weight of the trailer.If I was towing that much weight I would have brakes.

[KM2]

Yes you do. If your boat weighs 2700 add 600 for the trailer, a few hundred for gear and fuel and your towing a heavy load. In MN brakes are required at 3000#. If you have to make a hard stop with that load without trailer brakes you are going to have problems.

[jlinder]

KM2 has the right idea. 2700# for the boat, trailer more like 750#(that is what mine is), 30 gal of fuel is close to 200#, anchor, cooler, etc and you are soon at 4000#.You need brakes. The law is not your problem, stopping is.But what you really need to do is take it to a truck scale and get it weighted, with everything on board. Then you know.

[rwidman]

I agree with the others, you should have brakes.