Brakes required?

[SQLDave]

Does anyone have any information to share regarding the following situation.

I will be acquiring a trailer, probably a 14' to 16' tandem axle, to haul a reproduction revolutionary war cannon. The cannons should weigh in the 1000 pound neighborhood, and figure MAYBE another 500 of gear (tent canvas, etc.). If it's relevant, I will be using a Ford Expedition.

What I'm wondering about is brakes. I'd guess that having brakes is always at least SOMEwhat better than not. But I'm seeing a lot of trailers for sale without brakes, so I'm wondering at what point (weight, I suppose) do brakes go from just "generally a good idea" to "you'll die if you don't have them".

Also: What might I expect to pay to have someone add brakes to an existing trailer? Should I go with electric or surge?

Any other input from any trailer-hauling pros here would be gratefully accepted and highly appreciated.

Thanks!
-dave

PS: I'm in Missouri, if that is at all helpful. And I have a goodly amount of trailer hauling experience, but am by no means a "pro".

 

[ultrarunner]

Could be because there is no statute for trailer brakes in MO last I checked...

It really varies from State to State and Manufacturer's Recommendation for tow vehicle and trailer.

I like electric because of the cab control...

Lots of boat trailers still use hydraulic because they seem to be a little more forgiving when being immersed in water and rental yards have a lot of hydraulics because the tow vehicle doesn't need a controller.

Some of the guys have found ordering a complete axle with brakes more cost effective than ordering all the parts separately for electric...

Installing hydraulic on a trailer is more involved because of the plumbing and tongue modifications.

Brakes are always a good option when it comes to safety.

3,000 lbs seems to be the threshold for most States where brakes are required...

http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm

 

[crusty 1]

ditto on the safety,and I think the advice on the 3000#s was right on.Check you area

 

[Bird]

Good information from ultrarunner, and the link is probably right, too. 3,000 pounds seems common, but as the link shows, it's 4,500 in Texas. Way back 38-40 years ago there was a federal recommendation that the states require brakes on any trailer that weighed 40% (or maybe it was over 40%) of the weight of the towing vehicle. But the states weren't required to have such a law and I guess none did.

 

[Bird]

Actually SC requires over 3000 lbs or over 40% of tow vehicle weight...the latter is often overlooked.

Yep, I overlooked it, too.:laughing: And I see the same applies to Washington, Montana, and Maryland.

 

[Skyco]

Yep, I overlooked it, too.:laughing: And I see the same applies to Washington, Montana, and Maryland.

Ya know I went back and deleted my post pending further investigation..I know it was a requirement in SC at one time, the trailering pamphlet DNR published about trailer boating mentioned it...but dang if I can find it in the state laws and regulations now
There is the 3000 lb requirement in state law and it also mentioned brakes must be on ALL wheels of ALL trailers over 3000 lbs, so the front axle/back axle argument is moot here in SC, unless it is under 3000 lbs
Twice I've bought boats that exceeded 3000 lbs and there were NO brakes on either trailer, I added them to be legal and safe. I also bought a car trailer that had brakes on only one axle and added the other axle brakes myself- moral of the story is apparently in SC a dealer can sell equipment that is illegal as soon as you pull out of his lot onto a public street...seems wrong doesn't it? And I would think a lawsuit waiting to happen.....guy gets into a wreck because he couldn't stop then the other sides lawyer finds he did not have legal brakes...and the dealer knowingly sold it that way $$uh-oh$$$..

 

[davkir]

I'm hardly an expert, but the first time you make a HARD stop or use your trailer in the rain, you'll wish you had trailer brakes.
I prefer electric on all axles with a good controller.

 

[Skyco]

Ya know I went back and deleted my post pending further investigation..I know it was a requirement in SC at one time, the trailering pamphlet DNR published about trailer boating mentioned it...but dang if I can find it in the state laws and regulations now

Well I finally found it- 38-393.42. (3) Any full trailer, any semitrailer, or any pole trailer having a GVWR of 3,000 pounds or less must be equipped with brakes if the weight of the towed vehicle resting on the towing vehicle exceeds 40 percent of the GVWR of the towing vehicle.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As mentioned before there is no requirement for brakes in MO but its a good idea to get them on any trailer rated for more than 3,000#.

Adding brakes should be in the $300 range per axle.

Chris

 

[grnspot110]

Maybe not regulation, but safety dictates brakes on all axles on trailers over 3000#! ~~ grnspot110

 

[schmism]

Adding brakes should be in the $300 range per axle.

man that sounds familiar....:thumbsup:

and for the record, my single axle popup has brakes... and weighs in at about 3500lbs

 

[MikeD74T]

Having been shoved down the road by my own trailer on two occasions I'm a proponent of good trailer brakes. I did own a 4 place snowmobile trailer with surge brakes & liked it but a friend had a similar trailer push him off the road while going down an icy hill. The weight of the trailer pushed forward enough to activate the brakes which locked up on the black ice, slid over the shoulder & pushed his rear end over. He lost control when his front tires hit dry pavement at an angle, jacknifed, & slid into the opposite ditch. I'd like to think electric trailer brakes might have released and
maintained enough traction to track, maybe not??? MikeD74T

 

[LBrown59]

I'm wondering at what point (weight, I suppose) do brakes go from just "generally a good idea" to "you'll die if you don't have them".

It's not just about you.
It involves everyone else out on the road with you.

 

[Soundguy]

probably has something to do with year of manufacturer to.

her ein florida in 2000 1 axle of brakes was required.. then went to 2 if tandem axles. all the single brake axle trailers were still legal afaik.

soundguy

 

[JEH412]

Our pop up camper weighs about 2300 lbs. and did not come from the factory with brakes, since Pennsylvania doesn't require them on a trailer under 3000 lbs. The first time I towed it I realized that there was no way I wanted to rely only on the truck's brakes.

If the axle(s) on your trailer are already equipped with flanges -- and I think that most new axles are -- adding brakes is an easy bolt-on modification. The wiring is simple and many newer trucks have a plug in place under the dash for the brake controller. I bought everything I needed, except the controller, from R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals for little under $200.00 and had everything installed on the trailer in a morning. My truck didn't have the simple plug-and-play connection so I had to trace out a couple of wires. If you're not comfortable with that, there are plenty of place that will install the controller.

With the weight of your cannon and other gear, I'd certainly be more comfortable with brakes on the trailer, especially on a wet road or the first time you have to make a panic stop.

John

 

[niemeyjt]

You guys in the US have it easy!!!

Here in Europe the limit for no brakes is the lower of 750Kg (1650lbs) or half weight of towing vehicle.

Brakes tend to be overrun - when vehicles brake, trailer pushes against a spring on headstock that applies brakes by cable. Some mechanics in the hubs prevent the brakes being applied when reversing. The maximum allowed on an overrun brake trailer is 3500Kg (7700lbs) - above that it needs powered brakes.

Not only that, but new drivers are allowed a maximum weight of car and trailer of 4250Kg (oldies like me are allowed 8250Kg) on a standard driving license.

J

 

[Soundguy]

Yikes.. and I thought hyd surge brakes were bad.. but cable 'surge' brakes! now that's an interesting thought!

thanks for sharing!

soundguy

 

[Oldmax]

I bought a 16 ' tandem 5 years ago and brakes On 4 wheels were $200 addition then. Cheap price to pay . I bought Trailer in KY they don't require brakes on trailers. But in WV it is 3000 lbs. Any trailer that has permanent plates "C" weight starts at 3000 lbs. I doubt there is 5% of the 16' Tandems in WV that have brakes. One of these days MR LAW will wake up and have a hay-day with them.

 

[whistlepig]

Not only are brakes important for safety they make the trailer a whole lot easier to use. Pulling a trailer that has some weight to it with no brakes will flat wear the driver out. For sure in heavy traffic. And we have to allow for the "cell phone" factor these days. Drivers on a cell phone completely zoned out to what's going on outside the cars they are driving.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought a 16 ' tandem 5 years ago and brakes On 4 wheels were $200 addition then. Cheap price to pay . I bought Trailer in KY they don't require brakes on trailers. But in WV it is 3000 lbs. Any trailer that has permanent plates "C" weight starts at 3000 lbs. I doubt there is 5% of the 16' Tandems in WV that have brakes. One of these days MR LAW will wake up and have a hay-day with them.

They did that 2 summers ago in Indiana. I bet I put on 20 sets for the lawn care guys. They targeted them and it keep me busy.

Chris