Old tandem pontoon trailer question - no brakes

[Vinny L]

Good day all, I have an old pontoon trailer with a tandem axle and no brakes. I've been wanting to add brakes but the trailer has 10" wheel rims with 5 lugs and I can't find any brakes that would fit.

Firstly, am I okay from a legal standpoint? The trailer was built this way in the 90s and I can't fit brakes without making major mods - so I would say this design was grandfathered in.

Please note: The truck and trailer combo tows fine, but I would prefer knowing I can stop quickly if I needed to. I'm not trying to get out of adding brakes but they just wont fit on my setup.

 

[jlh3rd]

My pontoon trailer is a tandem with 10" wheels.
I added these electric brakes to replace my surge brakes. Luckily, my trailer already had brake hubs. They fit the 10" hubs.
You'll have to get the brake hubs in addition to the brakes. The hubs need to match the spindles. Spindle/bearings are determined by axle rating which determine what 10" hub will fit...Then, I think the axle has to have a 4 bolt mounting flange welded to the axle to accept brakes....Maybe it would be more economical to get new axles and bigger wheels....or a new trailer...
I can't tell you specifically what to do as you have no brakes to begin with. Surge or electric is your choice.

 

[Vinny L]

Thanks, this is a new to me trailer although second hand. I did find the right size hubs and checked the bearings so I finally have a solution. Its just weird that E trailer told me there is no combination that would work for me - despite a 7" brake setup being on their website. They only have a 4 hole hub, but I found a 5 hole hub on Lippert.

Unfortunately if I go up in wheel size I need to modify the wheel arches pretty heavily as they are made for smaller tires, and I may have the wheels bottoming out on the bunks.

For now I will go with brakes on one axle, and maybe next year I'll add to the second axle - I just got new replacement hubs for those.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Electric brakes are pretty easy to add on, as you're finding out.

As to the legality of using a trailer without brakes, I think that's a question for your state's motor vehicle bureau. In my state, the requirement for brakes on a trailer is driven be weight, not by the year of manufacture.

In any case, having brakes is a good idea from a safety standpoint, so good for you for adding them!

 

[jlh3rd]

good. I just mentioned bigger wheels if you had no choice.
you didn't ask or say, but I sure like my electric setup.
My trailer was used when purchased.
I wanted disc brakes but they would not fit.

 

[Vinny L]

Thank you everyone! The first step will be welding on brake mounting flanges to the axles - luckily I have a buddy with a shop.

 

[airshot]

How much weight are you towing and what are you towing with ?? Most states require trailer brakes when towed weight exceeds 2500 lbs. Many vehicles with towing pkgs have 4 wheel disc brakes that are made for heavy duty stopping, so that weight can be exceeded a little.

 

[JimS123]

My state requires brakes required if the laden weight is above 3000 pounds. My last boat (per specs) was at 2850. That was dry. The paperwork stated 2850 pounds. I'm sure that with gas and all the gear it grossly exceeded 3000. I got away with it.

I simply hate brakes just because of all the maintenance required. At the time my towcar was a CAR, with a big V8 and full perimeter frame and had a factory towing package of 4500 pounds. Disc brakes on the front and drum on the back.

OK, OK, technically I was illegal. But after driving that rig for 35 years, and often having to hit the brakes, I never felt there was an issue.