To Brake or not to brake?

[Guest]

Well ppl I am in a little bit of a pickle Do I really need brakes on my trailer? I am going to be towing an 87 22' Doral cuddy (approx.4200lbs), and a tandem axle trailer(approx.1100 lbs.) with my new 2010 F150 Crew Cab 4.6v8, trailer pkg. with possi trac. Do I really need brakes on the trailer and if so what type (elect. or hydra. surge) ?? Not too sure if I will be going any great distances with it at this point in time as it is my first i/o boat and over 18'. I will be using it a lot localy until I get used to it.

 

[Kaplooi]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Are you saying your trailer did not come with brakes? Typically a tandem axle trailer will at least have brakes on one axle if not both. As far as I know, in Ontario you're legally required to have brakes when you're towing over 3000lbs. Most US states require brakes at that weight also. Most people will say hydraulic surge brakes are best for boats because there's no electrics going under water to fail on you but I installed electric to have in-cab control and ability to fine tune and haven't had reliability yet, but I run in fresh water only. Electric over hydraulic is sort of the best of both but costs around 3 times as much as surge or electric brakes.

 

[Yellow Yota]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Yes. Without a doubt. If that boat and trailer is as heavy as you say, then it could get pretty close to the weight of your tow rig when it's loaded down.

I personally would not tow it out of the driveway without brakes. Legal or not, it's a horrible idea.

Sorry to sound harsh. I mean no disrespect. But that load needs brakes to be safe.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

In a word YES!! no matter what your province requires, I would not tow it without brakes, especially behind a 1/2 ton, surge brakes are going to be your least expensive option, but I would make sure at least one of those axles have brakes, you should be able to pick a new axle up that has all of the brake parts installed for a reasonable price, then add the surge control to the tongue, run the lines and you would be good to go..

 

[Guest]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Yes, one axle did have brakes on it BUT they are so messed up from not being maintained over the years that they are usless. Totaly needs everything from coupler, master cyclinder, lines, wheel cyclinders, shoes and drums! Maybe I should look at brakes on both axles! Where can I pick up an axle with everything on it for Cheep as I have very limited $$$ left to do it.

 

[Shrike]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Absolutely! You should have brakes!

 

[DianneB]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Another YES to brakes!

The best prices in Canada are at DL Trailer Parts http://www.dlparts.ca/

 

[stic88]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

anything over 3000 pounds requires brakes by law.

 

[justchecking]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

If it's fresh water consider electric brakes. Your truck is probably already wired for an electric brake controller (or it's built in). Get a proportional type (not timed). You can buy galvanized electric brakes but I don't think you even need that. You run two wires (I recommend a separate ground WIRE) on each side up to the 7 pin trailer connector and done. If they do rust just swap in new ones for <100 per side. My 14 year old electric brakes have a good coating of surface rust, but work fine.

Yes you do need trailer brakes. I have four trailers, one electric, one surge, two without, and I wish they ALL had electric.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

If your axles are in good shape they have brake plates on them.
Just replace the brakes, no need to replace axles to. If your drums are ok, then just replace the brakes and backing plate and wheel cylinders.

Or if you axles will accept it conver to kokiak disk brakes and install a new surge unit.

Brakes are not cheap. I am converting my tandem axle trailer 4200lbs on the trailer axles (had 2,000lb axles with no brakes), to a pair of 3500lb axles with kodiak disc brakes on one axle and oil lube hubs, new springs and such.
With this I have to buy tires and wheels. Cost without the tires and wheels is going to run about $1500, add the tires/wheels and I am into it for about $2,000. A $100 or so is rust bullet to coat the axles, springs, and such since I use it in salt water.

I agree with the others, to be legal I am sure you need brakes. However there are many boats without brakes like yours. Just look around at the boat ramps. I towed my 4500lb boat for 4 years with no brakes and I was ok. 4 wheel disc brake 3/4 tone pickup. But since I now added a camper to my pickup I am adding brakes since total weight of pickup/camper/boat is 15,800lbs.
I am ordering my brakes from Southwest Wheel in texas, they had the best price even with shipping.

 

[Lou C]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

For sure get brakes, at least on the one axle that had them...if the drums are in good shape, I'd probably just put on a new set of complete galvanized backing plates (with aluminum wheel cylinders) and also replace the actuator if it's corroded and leaking...
When I got my old 88 FW the trailer did not have brakes, the boat probably weighed about 4000 lbs on the trailer, stopping it with my 98 Grand Cherokee even with 4 disc brakes was not fun, esp on the steep hills we have on the north shore of LI. I had an axle made with brake flanges, installed the brake system (surge drums) and it made a huge difference. Brakes on one axle at that weight are not the best set up, but it's for sure better than nothing. If you wind up keeping it then I'd add another brake axle when you have the cash to do it....

Here you go...here is what Ford says...

http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/pdf/towing/10FLMrvF150sep09.pdf


Three good on line trailer parts vendors
Champion Trailers (they make axles to order with brake flanges, good prices)
Eastern Marine
Trailer Parts Depot

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

with my new 2010 F150 Crew Cab 4.6v8, trailer pkg. with possi trac.

Got to love the Fords, and not say anything bad about yours but its not a heavy duty truck.
I have the F250 and my boat is close to that weight and would not tow with out brakes on the trailer. Its not only illegal, its stupid. Almost every place requires brakes for a trailer 3000 lbs and over, even metric.
How bad would you feel if if you rear ended a mini van with a baby in it and they got hurt or died because you could not stop in a normal amount of space?
I could not live with that.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Do I really need brakes on my trailer?

Go drag it around the neighborhood and stomp on the brake pedal real hard.
You'll see WHY you need trailer brakes.
Might need some clean drawers too!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Big yes to needing brakes.

 

[JoLin]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

They're legally required for a reason. In a moderate-high speed fast-brake siuation you WILL jackknife your rig.

Fix the brakes!

 

[skargo]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Absolutely!

I replaced the brakes, coupler, and lines on my trailer for less than $500. Got my stuff from eastern marine, hopefully you have a place like that.
Bought the tie down coupler, soft brake line kit, and complete backing plates. A couple hours in my driveway and it seems like I stop better with my boat/trailer hooked up, than with just my truck alone.

 

[Guest]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Thanks to all the ppl who replied. I am very sure from what I've read in all the replies that I am going to replace the brakes on the one axle that has them for now and when I get a little more cash will put them on the other axle as well. Unfortunatly living in Canada I do not have a cheep source for trailer parts, so maybe someone in the US wants to adopt me Thanks all and happy sailing

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Thanks to all the ppl who replied. I am very sure from what I've read in all the replies that I am going to replace the brakes on the one axle that has them for now and when I get a little more cash will put them on the other axle as well. Unfortunatly living in Canada I do not have a cheep source for trailer parts, so maybe someone in the US wants to adopt me Thanks all and happy sailing

How about Princess Auto ???? check out their web site. Got my electronic brake controller from there recently. Great prices.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Boateric,

My boat weighs 3000lbs. My trailer is a tandem axle with surge brakes. The system handles like a dream. Every time I take off from a stop, I feel the brakes release smoothly on the trailer. If ever I don't feel that, I know to pull over and check my braking system. I've never used electric brakes so I don't know how they feel, but the surge brakes are the less expensive option and they work beautifully for me. No matter how I apply my brakes when towing, the trailer and boat stay right in line behind me. There is no difference in braking ability with or without the boat behind me. No worries...
Please get your braking system before you pull the boat again. If you get only one brake to start, Safe and happy boating!!! (and trailering)

 

[hz]

Re: To Brake or not to brake?

Here's an idea. Why not buy a used trailer with brakes and sell your old trailer. Or buy an old boat on a good trailer, then sell the old boat and swap the trailers. Could cost less in the long run. Craigs list is full of possibilities.

Harris