Brakes needed on 2nd axle?

[BobRip]

I had a trailer without brakes. I almost lost control coming down a hill. I gave it back to the guy who gave it to me and bought one with brakes on both axles. Never regretted it.

 

[ModMech]

.........It just isn't exempt from the law of common sense.

One of the most violated laws of all, by everyone from time to time

 

[BobRip]

One of the most violated laws of all, by everyone from time to time

Common sense is not a law, just a suggestion.

 

[ModMech]

Commons sense is a "law" of sorts, but one of nature, that engineers have been trying to stay a head of for centuries.

Common sense says if it's slippery, don't drive so fast. Engineers say "lets design an ABS system so you won't skid". To which those with little common sense respond by driving as if it's not slippery.

The laws of nature eventually catch up with you, common sense can help prevent that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The problem is "Common Sense" is not that common. It should be renamed "Special Sense". It seems to me only 3-5% of the population has this Special Sense now days.

At the end of the day I do not feel 2 brake axles are needed on a 7K trailer. I sell and tow lots of trailers and I would say 3/4 of the 7K stuff I deal with have 1 brake axle. The 10K up always and I would recommend to everyone to have 2 brake axles.

Chris

 

[BobRip]

The problem is "Common Sense" is not that common. It should be renamed "Special Sense". It seems to me only 3-5% of the population has this Special Sense now days.

At the end of the day I do not feel 2 brake axles are needed on a 7K trailer. I sell and tow lots of trailers and I would say 3/4 of the 7K stuff I deal with have 1 brake axle. The 10K up always and I would recommend to everyone to have 2 brake axles.

Chris

Common sense is what you get right after you need. No one is born with it, you must learn from experience. Life is complex today and no one has experience in everything that they really need.

Diamond, what you sell is legal, but for the small extra money I like brakes on all wheels. Two or three hundred dollars seems like nothing to prevent an accident. I bet a lot of us wasted that much in a month or two.

 

[mlauk]

This is out of the Texas Drivers Handbook. There is a performance requirement for vehicles with trailers.


c. Under all conditions, the combination of vehicles must be capable of
complying with the performance requirements. (Generally, if the trailer
and the combination is 3,000 pounds or less, the combination must be
able to stop within 40 feet when traveling 20 miles per hour; if the trailer
and the combination is in excess of 3,000 pounds, the combination must
be able to stop within 50 feet when traveling 20 miles per hour.)

 

[RTII]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Not one person suggested that brakes on one axle would be ok so I've bow'd to the more experienced than I. Yesterday ordered 18' utility trailer with tandem 5200 lbs axles, brakes on both axles.

This is out of the Texas Drivers Handbook. There is a performance requirement for vehicles with trailers.


c. Under all conditions, the combination of vehicles must be capable of
complying with the performance requirements. (Generally, if the trailer
and the combination is 3,000 pounds or less, the combination must be
able to stop within 40 feet when traveling 20 miles per hour; if the trailer
and the combination is in excess of 3,000 pounds, the combination must
be able to stop within 50 feet when traveling 20 miles per hour.)

Mlauk - thanks for the reference. I'm pretty sure I have a better chance of hitting those requirements with the second set of brakes.

 

[wvpolekat]

At the end of the day, for the little bit of money, put brakes on EVERY axle. If nothing else, it gives you peace of mind that you have all the brakes you will ever need.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Not one person suggested that brakes on one axle would be ok so I've bow'd to the more experienced than I. Yesterday ordered 18' utility trailer with tandem 5200 lbs axles, brakes on both axles.



Mlauk - thanks for the reference. I'm pretty sure I have a better chance of hitting those requirements with the second set of brakes.

Congrats on the purchase. You made a wise choice.

Chris