Do I Need Trailer Brake?

[goeduck]

Question. What is it about tandom axle trailers that need brakes vs single axle? I keep seeing reference to tandom axles needing brakes. Here it is 3000 lb gross that need brakes regardless of axles.

 

[George2615]

FYI, my state doesn't say it's mandatory. Only on gooseneck/5th wheel trailers or trailers hauling over 3000lbs of hazardous materials. So legally I'm not required to have them.

So does this mean a 20T or larger pintle hitch or bumper pull trailer hauling a dozer on it doesn't need brakes?
The trailer brake requirement law in MO doesn't make sense to me.

 

[RandyT]

My insurance company (USAA) has always told me that liability coverage on the towing vehicle extends to the trailer also!

It does, but say for some reason like the tongue on the trailer breaks allowing the trailer to cross the other lane of traffic and hits a vehicle head on. At that moment the trailer is no longer connected to the tow vehicle, therefore is no longer insured by the tow vehicle insurance. So you may want to ask you insurance company if the insurance still covered the trailer and any damage if the trailer becomes disconnected from the vehicle. Here in IL it does not, but most people will say it is covered under the vehicle insurance policy which it is, provided it is attached to the vehicle. Most people don't know that.

 

[RandyT]

Question. What is it about tandom axle trailers that need brakes vs single axle? I keep seeing reference to tandom axles needing brakes. Here it is 3000 lb gross that need brakes regardless of axles.

It is not a tandem vs single axle needing brakes, it is fact that most trailers rated for over 3000 lbs are tandem axle. Just not many single axle trailers with a 5000 or 7000 lbs axle

 

[Grumpa Wally]

There are dozens of reasons to have them! Idiots, weather, Idiots!
But once you do have them you will not want to pull without them.
I have them on this 16' trailer with a cheap Reese Controller from Walmart. Work great!

Exactly. Here in NC, the Legislature passed a law that allows bicycles to no longer stay to the right. Last year while pulling my 18' tandem loaded with Mahindra 5035, 4n1 bucket with Leinbach gang harrow attached, I come around a curve on the two lane rural road and meet four bicyclists. The two in the rear were far to the right, while the two idiots in the front were taking the whole lane. With a car coming, I had to lock up the trailer brakes for the idiots and they cussed me till I was out of sight. Stimw hit the nail on the head, the roads are full of idiots and they will get you killed. Emphatically yes, hook up the trailer brakes, pull the wheels, clean and check pads and wiring inside wheels.

 

[RalphVa]

I just bought a 16ft tandem axle trailer to tow my tractor and brush hog out to my land. The trailer will be a little project as it needs completely rewired for lights, needs a new deck, etc. I figured after I remove the deck boards, I壇 go ahead and rewire the lights. Wondering if I should go ahead and wire it for trailer brakes or not. The seller said the front axle had electric brake, but they壇 never hooked it up. My tractor weighs about 4000lbs and my brush hog is a 5ft Standard Duty Howse. I知 pulling it with a 2016 F150 that already has integrated brake controller. I only tow my tractor to the property about 2 to 3 times a year and the property is 25 miles door to door from my house.

Rewiring the standard lights would be no problem, but I have no experience wiring trailer brake or even how to adjust them, etc. Do I really need the electric brake or will I be ok without?

FYI, my state doesn稚 say it痴 mandatory. Only on gooseneck/5th wheel trailers or trailers hauling over 3000lbs of hazardous materials. So legally I知 not required to have them.

Depends on how fast you want to stop. If you have maybe a 1/4 mile or so to do it, no trailer brakes and maybe wear a pair of Depends to catch what comes out.

Dad once rented a tandem on the back of our 1957 Olds. Needed maybe a 1/4 mile to stop it.

Better get some good trailer brakes unless you want to kill somone.

Ralph

 

[timswi]

My insurance company (USAA) has always told me that liability coverage on the towing vehicle extends to the trailer also!

Told the same thing by State Farm

 

[LD48750]

Do you NEED them?
I guess that depends on how good a driver you are & how good your luck is.

No, I have hauled many a trailer loaded without brakes & survived.
I have used trailers WITH brakes & MUCH prefer that to not having them.

As long as you are rewiring the trailer anyway & have everything you need, I can't see any logical reason you wouldn't hook them up.

They do make it safer but DO NOT guarantee you will never come to a situation where you can't stop before killing someone.
Just as running without brakes doesn't guarantee you WILL kill someone next time you hook up your trailer.

 

[RandyT]

Told the same thing by State Farm

The question that you need to ask your insurance is. If the trailer becomes disconnected from the vehicle does the vehicle insurance still cover any damage. In my state the answer is NO. The catch is you ask your insurance if they cover the trailer connected to an insured vehicle and they say yes, but don't tell people that it is not covered if not connected. So if it disconnected, bye-bye insurance coverage.

 

[Hanshans]

I tow a 4000lb boat which would be pretty close to your weight. I can tell you from experience after losing my trailer brakes that your truck is going to have a hard time stopping that trailer in a stressful situation. If its raining or icy forget about it..