Trailer Brakes should I even bother.

redneck joe

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sorry if I sounded like an a.. Not my intent.

If you don't want them, and it appears you don't, then don't.
 

superbenk

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Not really sure why the OP is getting so defensive. He asked if he should get the brakes or not and a number of people think he should. He still thinks he doesn't need them so why bother asking? I think he should have them too both from a safety point of view & because it's close enough to the requirement that it seems we're just arguing how to out-smart the law. Again, OP, if you really don't want the brakes, don't get them and deal with whatever consequences there are to that decision (hopefully no one else will be the consequence). It's your choice, but you asked a question and your getting your answers.
 

smokeonthewater

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I absolutely agree you should ditch the brakes IF they are surge brakes... spending $400 to repair the brakes is silly when you can convert to electric on one axle WITH a breakaway box for much less..... low maintenance, low cost, works great, AND should the trailer ever leave your truck at speed there is a very high probability that it will just stop or stretch the chains and follow till you stop without killing anyone OR damaging your truck.

Nope, not worth it at all looking ahead BUT one day it may be VERY VERY worth it looking back.

It won't ever happen to me... nope not ever.... till it does................
 

NYBo

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Having just read this thread, I would strongly consider brakes if towing your rig on hilly terrain. You may be ensured, and you may be legal, but that doesn't necessarily mean safe, or even alive in the event of a collision.
 

ken51k

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Your profile shows your from Eastern Tenn. Look at the sticky in the Trailer and towing here. Tennessee requires brakes on a trailer over 1500 lbs.
You might also want to look at this post My towing disaster (pictures) bet he wishes he had brakes
 

SigSaurP229

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That accident was caused by towing way to much boat on a bumper hitch AND driving to fast for the conditions. As specifically stated by the Original poster.

Tennessee changed the trailer towing law in 2010 the New Tennessee Code Annotated is cited in this thread.

I bet he had slowed down and driven more appropriate for the conditions as well, as maybe not used a bumper hitch to tow a 4000lb boat as well.

That is Not enough tow vehicle for that set up.


Let me change the title to this thread, IT is not NECCESSARY for me to have trailer brakes for my setup should I bother with them, and are there any Cheaper alternatives to spending $400 on system prone to failure.
 

oldjeep

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That accident was caused by towing way to much boat on a bumper hitch AND driving to fast for the conditions. As specifically stated by the Original poster.

Tennessee changed the trailer towing law in 2010 the New Tennessee Code Annotated is cited in this thread.

I bet he had slowed down and driven more appropriate for the conditions as well, as maybe not used a bumper hitch to tow a 4000lb boat as well.

That is Not enough tow vehicle for that set up.


Let me change the title to this thread, IT is not NECCESSARY for me to have trailer brakes for my setup should I bother with them, and are there any Cheaper alternatives to spending $400 on system prone to failure.

A better thread title might be - I really really don't want to spend $400 to fix this busted trailer I just bought - will someone please agree with me.
 

redneck joe

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I'll wait.
 

oldjeep

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I'm pretty sure I gave an answer to satisfy BOTH sides here.... jus sayin

Maybe, but I'm not sold on electric brakes on boat trailers. Seems like most folks can't figure out how to keep their lights working let alone trusting their wiring to brakes.
 

smokeonthewater

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Maybe, but I'm not sold on electric brakes on boat trailers. Seems like most folks can't figure out how to keep their lights working let alone trusting their wiring to brakes.

Well I guess in that case the prob isn't electric brakes or boat trailers, it's unqualified people who shouldn't be working on ANY brake system....
 

SigSaurP229

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Along with many of the unqualified people who have no idea how to scale a trailer, read axle weights, balnce a load, dont do a pti (pre trip inspection)EVERY time they hookup to trailer. Along with people who seem to think that on a curvy back road with a speed limit of 45 mph is still safe with a trailer on their boat. I do not now nor will I ever trust surge brakes on a boat trailer a dragging drum can over heat and sling a bearing very quickly once the bearing is slung you can quickly watch a tire fly across the road. Towing is NOT something I take lightly doesnt matter if its my trash trailer jet ski, starcraft or pontoon. This particular trailer os WAY overkill for my boat but I feel much safer pulling a tandem axle over a single axle. I have pulled everything from a lawn mower trailer to 90,000 lbs across black mountain North Carolina. Never not even once in over a million miles of driving have I received an equipment or weight violation. The only time I have ever had an equipment problem was when I took a seller at his word, and I do consider that my fault for being in a rush, to pick my kid up from school. Its not as if I am unfamiliar with the law or towing in general, its not as if I am unwilling to shell out the money. I trust my tow vehicle way more than I trust an obsolete braking system which in my eyes is prone to failure and creating more problems than benefit especially in this particular application. Ive never run more than 11 hours no more than 14 on duty and no more than 70 in 8. Ive also never run more than 12 34 34 wo permits. The goal is to get to and from the lake safely. My pros and cons Trailer brakes may reduce braking distance slightly. Cons trailer brakes hang up sling a bearing and throw a wheel across the road. That is the reason i was asking for opinions.
 

SigSaurP229

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Trailer is going to be converted to electric brakes. I already have new bearings for a $75 conversion kit is NBD. If they don't work or give problems with standard maintenance I am going to remove them completely.
 

smokeonthewater

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I personally couldn't be happier with my electric brakes.... IIRC the wire I used was double insulated 12-2 fine stranded... It has the normal red and black insulation and then another gray plastic sheath on the outside... I ran two strands from my junction box, one on each side and split to front and rear on each side.. I did NOT count on the trailer frame for a brake ground but rather took power and ground directly from my 7 way plug.... I also wired in a breakaway box and if you do MAKE SURE it's the one with the built in charger... I thought the price was too good to be true till I figured that little detail out.
 

SigSaurP229

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I am not overly worried as I have TONS of jacketed 10-2 wire laying around from numerous boat rebuilds, and a good friend who is an electrician, the wiring it up is no big deal. I had considered repairing the old braking system but the main line had been cut and most of the lines may have been useable but were rusty enough for me to not trust them anyways.

I already have the controller in the truck, and really the only thing I am going to need is just the actual brakes and the breakaway box.

$75 dollars for the kit for one axle (the trailer had brakes only on the front axle to begin with) I am not going to change the rear under any circumstance. Breakaway box with intergrated charger is $50.00
 
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