Brakes needed on 2nd axle?

[RTII]

Hi all,

I'm looking for opinions and thoughts on whether I should add brakes to the second axle of a utility trailer I'm thinking of ordering. I understand that it would definitely be better but is it really needed? The trailer will be a tandem axle (5200lb axles) pulled by a late model Ford F150 with a 10,000 lb rated towing capacity. I would be using it in central Texas where there is some minor hilly areas but certainly nothing mountanous. By the way the second set of brakes would add about $300 to a $2300 trailer as it is set up now - sound about right on the price?

 

[RobertN]

It would be easier to get them from the beginning. I would have expected a trailer like that to just have them; can't imagine a 10klb trailer without.

I have a 7000lb trailer with single axles. It has done well, even in a panic stop. I would though, like to add the second set of brakes.

 

[Diamondpilot]

On a 5.2K axled trailer I would say yes 100% of the time. I do not feel its really necessary on a 3.5K tandem, just one axle is good enough for them.

Price is right. I just put a set on a 7K trailer, 2 3.5K axles, and it was $220 for parts alone.

Chris

 

[Just Bill]

Hello
With-out a doubt I would want brakes on both axles.
I'ts cheap insurance and a lot of piece of mind.
Not only will the trailer stop its self and its load it will also stop your truck too.

 

[RickB]

I can't believe it would even be legal to have a 10K trailer with brakes on one axle. In NY, 7K trailers are required to have brakes on both axles; and regardless of the legalities, you should order yours with brakes all the way around.

 

[RTII]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'll go ahead with the second set of brakes. I haven't looked into the legal requirements but as the trailer is offered with only one set of brakes I assumed here in Texas it would be legal. Alot of used ones on the market here with only one set of brakes as well. I guess I was looking at savings on the cost of the brakes as well as the extra maintenance but thinking longer on it, at least with the second set there will be redundancy if one set of brakes develops a problem during a trip. As stated - cheap insurance.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am a trailer dealer and in Texas all that is required is brakes and a brake-away over 4,500# according to my book. It does not state "ALL AXLES" so one axle would be legal but get them on both for that type of load.

You will spend a little more now but save a lot down the road on upkeep of both the trailers brakes but also your trucks.

Chris

 

[BobRip]

:laughing: Either get the brakes on both axles of the trailer, or take off your brakes on one axle of the truck. Just kidding of course. Get the brakes on both axles.

 

[deputy11]

You won't have extra maintenance on a 2 axle brake trailer. Shoes wear out twice as fast if you only have brakes on a single axle.:thumbsup:

 

[aczlan]

Also, if you go to resell it down the road (if you need to get a bigger trailer for some reason), two braked axles will be a selling point.

Aaron Z

 

[jlrsn]

I think you'll be happy knowing you have the extra braking power when you need it. I wouldn't own a trailer that didn't have brakes on all axles! Again, you'll mainly appreciate the stopping power when you need it but it makes a big difference.
Jim

 

[RTII]

I am a trailer dealer and in Texas all that is required is brakes and a brake-away over 4,500# according to my book. It does not state "ALL AXLES" so one axle would be legal but get them on both for that type of load.

You will spend a little more now but save a lot down the road on upkeep of both the trailers brakes but also your trucks.

Chris

Thanks Chris for that clarification. I appreciate the input from all and will go with the concensus - all points make perfect sense.

 

[ModMech]

I don't understand how a manufacturer *could* offer brakes on only one axle. I get the laws only require "brakes" (Federal) if over 3500# and that it's assumed that the towing vehicle can stop up to 3500# safely, so if the trailer can stop the added 3500# (1/2 of 7k) the math works, but golly it's just not safe!

It's almost as bad as "suge" brakes, if you have even a partial failure on the towing vehicle or limited traction, you get next to zero braking from the trailer with them. What's the point in that????

IMO, Electric or Air operated braking systems should be MANDITORY (installed and functional) on all axles of all trailers over 1500# or any trailer towed by a vehicle where the GVW of the towing vehicle is exceded (small car or truck with a 3k # trailer for example).

There are only two safety systems on a vehicle that REALLY matter, steering and brakes.

I commend you for taking the high road!

 

[newt92]

Here in Illinois, its a law to have brakes on all trailer axles and a break-away kit on trailers rated for 3K lbs and up. Most all single axle trailers now are rated for 2990 or under to stay under the 3K law.

If buying a new trailer over 3K, do yourself a favor and spend the extra $$$ and add electric brakes on all axles.

 

[Crash101]

If it has a single 3500 pound axle, it needs brakes, regardless of creative licensing tricks. If it has two 3500 pound axles, it makes good sense to have brakes on both axles. If it has 5000 pound axles or greater is must have brakes on both axles.
This is my rule for any trailer I would purchase to pull on public highways. If the state requires both axles to have brakes on a double 3500 # axle trailer it will have both brakes, as it should. Even that trailer may gross upwards of 7500 pounds or more depending on the tongue weight. In my opinion, which means something to only me, no trailer should be out there at highways speeds over 4 or 5 thousand pounds with a brake on only 1 axle. If you had to stop quickly that single axle will at best lock up and skid you right past your normal stopping distance by several hundred feet.

 

[BigE_]

I have brakes on both axles on my 7500 lb trailer, and there has been several times I was glad I did it. It only cost me $100 extra, though, and I considered it money well spent.

I can actually stop faster when towing the trailer (with a load) than I can without the trailer.

Oh yeah, get the Prodigy brake controller. I picked one up off eBay for $50.

 

[aczlan]

If it has a single 3500 pound axle, it needs brakes, regardless of creative licensing tricks.

According to most state laws if a trailer is REGISTERED for 2999# or less (even if it has a 3500# axle) it is exempt from needing brakes (and in some states, titling and/or registration). For more info search on Google or ask Diamondpilot.

Aaron Z

 

[ModMech]

So where are the legislatures and manufacturers in this? In my opinion, safety is a BIG back seat to cost (registration and purchase). As brakes only add $100 to a $2000+ bill for the extra axle, where is the sense in building them w/o brakes on every axle?

Why would you pass a law that even allows such a loop-hole? It's certainly NOT in anyone's best interest to allow it, except someone might sell an extra trailer a year because the price was $100 less. Yea, that's a really good reason to sacrifice safety, not.

 

[Renze]

Over here in Holland, brakes are mandatory on everything over 750kg/1650lbs.

I used to have a 750kg (untagged) trailer without brakes, to haul scrap, but i left the trailer at the scrapyard together with its last load. It was in such a bad shape that when they pull me over it would cost me a year of scrap money.

Anyways, i now have a big scrapbin which i load with the forks onto the brand new plywood floor (scrap would damage a floor: thats why i had a dedicated scrap hauler, but a bin saves my floor too) of my 2.6 ton (5700lbs) tandem hauler, brakes on both axles, and it tows so much safer even though i'm towing 50% more load on average. When i brake hard, i feel the rear end of the car slam to the ground because of the brake force applied by the trailer (center of gravity above the road surface will push down on the ball hitch when braking) instead of the trailer gravity pushing the rear axle of the car all over, despite the car being 50% heavier than the old single axle trailer.

When you have brakes on one axle, it will push me around just as hard as the single axle trailer without brakes. Just try it and judge for yourself. Why pay for airbags, ABS, adaptive cruise control, but cut corners on trailer brakes ?

Even when loading 3 ton of silage bales on my trailer, behind my 1.5 ton S70, i cant drive faster than 70 or it begins to sway, (only on local farm roads) but at least i never ever have to worry about stopping: When sway occurs, i brake and it stops. I am looking for stiff rear springs of an estate so i can load some more on the ball hitch to prevent sway.

 

[Crash101]

According to most state laws if a trailer is REGISTERED for 2999# or less (even if it has a 3500# axle) it is exempt from needing brakes (and in some states, titling and/or registration). For more info search on Google or ask Diamondpilot.

Aaron Z

A trailer capable of weighing 3500 pounds plus tongue weight, but licensed at 2999 pounds may , as you suggest, be exempt from needing brakes per state law. It just isn't exempt from the law of common sense.