trailer without brakes - max weight

[MechanicalGuy]

Does anyone stomp the brakes when loaded to see what happens?

I always test my brake setup.

 

[Dan Almashy]

It looks like 3000 GVW and above is where most companies install brakes on their trailers. I am thinking about a 6x14 single axle without brakes for ATV UTV etc transport. This would be below the 3000 lb threshold but how comfortable are you towing 2500 without brakes? is there a max weight without brakes you are ok with occasionally? thinking of a Gladiator or full size Ram tow vehicle. I could see a 20 or 40 mile trip for repairs with a total weight of 2500 or less. I could also see a 3 mile trip on my back road to moms house fully loaded once or twice in the next few years.

I thought I should reply on the towing weights issue. I had to look into that when I first started towing a car behind my RV. It's been 3 years since so I dont have the website handy but, there are laws about weights and how much before brakes are mandatory to tow legally on the highways in each state. The average in most is 3000. A few are 2500. So I bought a b re making system for the car I towed. You have to add that weight of your load onto the weight of the trailer. If you have 1000 more on top of a 2900 lb trailer. You are trying to stop 3900 lbs. Check your state laws.

 

[sunbeam67]

Braking System Requirements By State and Province | Hitchsource.com

 

[Jstpssng]

Does anyone stomp the brakes when loaded to see what happens?

The controllers I’m used to have a lever so that you can do the same.

 

[4570Man]

Does anyone stomp the brakes when loaded to see what happens?

In my 750 no because then the load would go flying into the headache rack lol. My ton truck doesn’t have that kind of stopping.

 

[4570Man]

yep. most of us learn the hard way that you should err on the side of more front weight.

Load all of it on the front. Only part way kidding.

 

[JWR]

FWIW Most states in Australia impose a GTM limit (Gross Trailer Mass) for unbraked single-axle trailers of 750kg = 1653 lbs.

I consider a 1653 lb limit absurd.

 

[JWR]

Trailer brakes are independent of the tow rig, it doesn’t matter what the tow vehicle is in regards to brakes. Just this past week coming up the hill there was an accident involving a small enclosed single axle trailer. It broke loose from a large van and decided to go downhill hitting cars which brings up another point, a breakaway device to apply those brake should the trailer breakaway. As the man says 1500 lbs in California with a breakaway device.

This is not a matter of ”if you can”. It’s a matter of law and safety for you and others on the road.

I disagree. It is mostly a matter of good judgement, the driver AND It matters a LOT what you are towing with. Clearly the weight and braking capacity of the towing vehicle is THE MAIN FACTOR in whether or not you need trailer brakes. We TBN readers do not get to reinvent or change physics. Breakaway devices are rarely if ever used on smaller trailers and are mostly supplied with ones over 10,000lb GVW.

 

[JWR]

CHECK YOUR STATE TRAFFIC LAWS! Unfortunately they differ from state to state. In addition to service brake requirements, many states have break-away requirements where the trailer brakes apply automatically if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle. In Nevada you can (and probably will) be criminally charged if you are involved in a serious accident while towing and the accident investigation team determines that your GVW (trailer plus load weight) meets the trailer braking requirement and you don't have proper brakes or they are not functional. Also some states require brakes on ALL axles, not just one. I'm near the borders with California and Oregon so I need to make sure my equipment is legal in all of those states.

While on the subject, some states (such as Nevada) also check tire ratings against the vehicle's GVW in the event of a traffic stop or accident. I tend to run Load Range E tires just to be safe. Plus they are more stable on winding roads. But remember, the ACTUAL rating (not just what's on the tire sidewall) is dependent upon tire pressure. A Load Range E tire filled only to 65 psi is down rated to Load Range D. Understandably a trailer that is generally used for light service might best run on lower pressures to save center tread tire wear, but if you're heavily loaded, such as hauling a tractor or backhoe, you should bring all your tires up to their rated pressures.

Avoid a ticket and avoid an accident. Check with your highway patrol or DMV for the regs that apply to you.

If we try hard enough and look up all the states I doubt the trailer will have the capacity to haul all the regulations.

 

[4570Man]

I disagree. It is mostly a matter of good judgement, the driver AND It matters a LOT what you are towing with. Clearly the weight and braking capacity of the towing vehicle is THE MAIN FACTOR in whether or not you need trailer brakes. We TBN readers do not get to reinvent or change physics. Breakaway devices are rarely if ever used on smaller trailers and are mostly supplied with ones over 10,000lb GVW.

Obviously the tow vehicle makes a huge difference. My 750 will stop 25k with the brakes turned off just the same as a pickup stops a lawnmower. But how are you supposed to make laws to fit every vehicle? Painting everything with one brush is a lot easier.