Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer

[guy74]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

It's an 18 ft bowrider with a 70 horse chrysler, the rig itself probably weighs close to 2k and the trailer might be 700? I really have no idea what it weighs, but it's pretty heavy... took 6 of us just to lift it and move it when we picked the boat up.

I guess it boils down to what you want, and how you want it to be. There is no right answer other than that, unless it weighs over 3000lbs, then they would seem to be a requirement.

 

[mancho]

Re: Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer

i dunno, his tow vehicle seems bout right:

LOL

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

The "Brake Requirements" sticky at the top of the forum says New Jersey requires brakes at 3000#

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

I'm going to guesstimate that my GW is less than 3000..

and that Pic looks like an accident waiting to happen

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

I'm going to guesstimate that my GW is less than 3000..

and that Pic looks like an accident waiting to happen

Now wait a minute. You come on here asking about brakes then you suddenly start disparaging my choice of tow vehicle??????!!!!!!! Wow. That hurts. Thought you Joisy boys was cool.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Now wait a minute. You come on here asking about brakes then you suddenly start disparaging my choice of tow vehicle??????!!!!!!! Wow. That hurts. Thought you Joisy boys was cool.

LOL

That was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said about Jersey

 

[guy74]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

"I'm going to guesstimate that my GW is less than 3000."

It would be interesting to see an acual weight on you boat and trailer. I realize that most people don't have scales at their home like I do, but if I was close to the legal requirement of having brakes in my state, I think it would be worth it to have a slip from truckstop scales to prove I was under.
I also wonder if the experts here can tell us, example your states requirement for brakes is at 3000lbs, if that is gross trailer weight, or the gross weight on the trailers axle(s)? Would seem to make a difference to me, but I'm not sure how the law is applied.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Yeah... for all I know it wouldn't be even 2500. We have truck scales in NJ, but every time I've passed one, they've been closed.

It's a single axle trailer. I think the axle is 2" square. I feel as though it would be the gross weight... as you can shift the weight on teh axles so that you could avoid meeting req's...

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

"I'm going to guesstimate that my GW is less than 3000."

It would be interesting to see an acual weight on you boat and trailer. I realize that most people don't have scales at their home like I do, but if I was close to the legal requirement of having brakes in my state, I think it would be worth it to have a slip from truckstop scales to prove I was under.
I also wonder if the experts here can tell us, example your states requirement for brakes is at 3000lbs, if that is gross trailer weight, or the gross weight on the trailers axle(s)? Would seem to make a difference to me, but I'm not sure how the law is applied.

Last spring I reached a point at which I either had to fix my trailer brakes or disable them completely. I wanted definitive clarification of the requirement, so I called the main highway patrol office. I was advised that the requirement was based not on axle or gross weight, but on the GVWR of the trailer. I can't speak for other states, but that's how Arkansas handles it. I suppose their rationale could have had to do with the infeasibility of weighing a rig that had been involved in an accident, but I'm only speculating. In any case, it would be interesting to hear whether other states differ, because I always assumed the requirement was based on gross weight. Food for thought.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

That's weird... not really sure what NJ does -- but maybe I'll try to stop at a scal next time on my way to the lake. I know the county dump has a scale they might just let me weigh in there too for free.

 

[guy74]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Does your trailer have a data plate on it? I know mine doesn't, it is a factory Glastron trailer, and had the HID of the boat I pulled off of it stamped into it, nothing else.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

My trailer has nothing! I've searched far and wide

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Zop, if you really want to know what she weighs just find a truck stop with CAT certified scales. Cost you around ten bucks to do the deed and you'll get a printout with an axle weight and a gross weight. Ten bucks well spent in my opinion.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Yeah, not a bad idea. But I called the county dump today and they said I could do it for free! Is there any disadvatage to using their scale?
I think the guy I bought the old boat from might have built the trailer. He was an "iron worker" and very big into DIY...

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

Re: Thinking about adding breaks to my trailer

County scale will get the job done. You'll just have to determine your tow vehicle's curb weight, which is simple enough.

 

[haley]

Re: Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer

All this scale talk...

You originally mentioned you were looking for help stopping. If you are not in salt I'd go for it. Actually, my load is less and I am looking into it.

Jh

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer

He just wants to know what his rig weighs. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer

He just wants to know what his rig weighs. Nothing wrong with that.

Truth.