Trailer Brakes

[seal oil]

Are 16ft tandom car haulers with brakes on the rear axel safe to move a small tractor ? I would think that one with brakes on both axels got to be better .

 

[Gary Fowler]

It all depends on the weight of the tractor and the axle rating on the trailer and the load range of the tires on it (not to mention the condition of the tires themselves). The one set of brakes should be sufficient for cautious trailering if your tow weight doesn't exceed the tow vehicle capacity and the trailer capacity is not exceeded. Remember that you have to add the weight of the trailer to your overall weight. The trailer could be anywhere from 1800# to 2200# depending on the make and rating. Rims sizes are usually a good indicator of axle rating: 5 hole rims=3500# axles, 6 hole= 5200 and 8 hole= 6000 or more. Also have to look at the tires and see what load rating they are good for and not exceed the total combined weight rating for all 4 tires.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I believe the Federal DOT standard for trailers is that all wheels have to have working brakes. Most states follow that standard. WA does. Probably would never get a citation unless stopped for something else and the Cop is a HA or you give him a ration so he looks for everything. Insurance is another matter, not having legal equipment usually gets a claim denied or judged greater against you. Awhile back I was looking at tandem trailers and never saw one with 2 wheel brakes. Dealer said it was illegal to sell them.

Ron

 

[lutt]

Depends on what your pulling with also , size of truck. I would rather have both axles with brakes. I happen to own one of thousands of tandem axle utility trailers that don't have brakes, LUTT

 

[Diamondpilot]

Mine is a 7000# trailer with brakes on one axle. I have pulled a Suburban on it behind a F150 and never felt unsafe.

Chris

 

[grnspot110]

I'll stick to brakes on both axles! ~~ grnspot

 

[dodge man]

It seems pretty common in my area where they sell them with brakes on only one axle and that is what mine is. Mine is a 7000lb trailer and I don't feel unsafe. Its fairly easy to add brakes if you want.

 

[downsizingnow48]

In California the rule is, trailers over 3k GVWR must have brakes on at least 2 wheels, and the combination vehicle (pickup and trailer) has to be able to stop in 40ft from 20mph "under any condition of loading". So if you have good brakes on the pickup, and a properly adjusted trailer brake controller, you might not need brakes on both trailer axles. Here is a DOT link that seems to say the same thing:

Brake performance. - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

My personal take on this is that trailer brakes are really inexpensive compared to the cost of your pickup, trailer and load. So, why not have them on both axles for maximum braking force. You might need that some day. But maybe there is a downside to braking both axles that I havent figgered out.

 

[JPRambo]

I have an two axle utility/car trailer that is rated 6000 lb. gross that only 1 axle has brakes. And a 2 axle camper max 5000 lb. that has both axle with brakes. The electronic brake controller seems to act a little slow to me. Is there a way to decrease the time the controller acts to the setting I program (depending on the trailer I am using and the weight of the trailer?

 

[Spindifferent]

Are 16ft tandom car haulers with brakes on the rear axel safe to move a small tractor ? I would think that one with brakes on both axels got to be better .

Here's my small truck pulling a relatively small tractor on an 18' car hauler with brakes on one axle. I'm well within the max. tow capacity of the truck and have a good brake controller, a weight distributing hitch, and everything works well for my setup.

You'll need to run the numbers for your setup to answer your question.