Do I really need trailer brakes?

[DK35vince]

Yes, good too hear DK. I am a mechanic, been doing it my whole life. Too me, they appear well built. Big bearings, big spindles, and if they will haul even a small mh they will sure as **** haul my tractor around town... and then some... So I am thinking I will hang on to them, get some brakes though...

Last time I relined my MH brakes, I think they took standard Dexter brake pads.
The local Napa store had pads, magnets, spring kits, Etc. in stock that fit right on.

 

[WM75Guy]

Get brakes and new axles even if not required. In Texas brakes are required over 4,500 pounds GVWR. If you don't go over 30 mph you can go up to 15,000 pounds GVWR. With the new one sticker system you have to get an inspection within 90 days before a plate is issued. There is only one sticker for the plate on a trailer or the windshield for a vehicle, no inspection sticker is issued. The inspection information is in the computer when you go to get plates. Farm trailers are exempt from inspection.

Also get a good breakaway system. Cheap money to help stop a trailer the one time it gets away.

Hopkins Towing Solutions Engager Breakaway Kit with LED Test Light | Trailer Brake Controllers| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[prichard]

So do you test trailer brakes? How? What about the breakaway?

 

[STx]

I towed my TC40DA on a 16' 7,000# tandem trailer for about a year with no trailer brakes with a 2002 F250 7.3 and had no problems stopping it, ever. I now have a 20' 10,400# tandem trailer with brakes and to be honest, I don't really feel all that much difference in stopping, even in an emergency situation. I get that trailer brakes are safer and all things being equal, I'd rather have them but, for me anyway, they haven't made that much difference.

And yes, the brakes work, I can stop the truck with the brake controller when the trailer is attached. I think it's just that I have a 6500# truck and the trailer/tractor combo simply isn't enough to really push it around.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

When we first got our NH TC40D with BH and FEL on a 22' trailer - the trailer had brakes but my Titan truck did not.

Do yourself a favor, get the brakes. AMEN double, not only your life but others too

Just curious ..... the MH axles don't have brakes? I know MH's here have brakes on them.

I used to do a lot of modular building work where all the modules came in on temporary attached axles. After removing the wheels and axles the axles were sent to scrap as it cost more than they were worth to ship back to the manufacturing plant. Wheels and tires were sold cheap on Craig's list. No brakes, everything the cheapest possible, not even a flange to add brakes. The haulers carried at least 6 spare tires on rims as blowouts were common with the cheap undersized tires. WOULD you want those under your equipment trailer??

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Ron in Milne,

"Thank you! Oh, I am sorry, to answer the question about inspection, no a trailer this size does not need an inspection here in Maine. I am a licensed inspection mechanic- I don't remember how big thy have to be, but it is only the really big stuff that needs to be stickered here."

And you are asking these questions!!! Not sure I want you to insect my trailer.

Ron

 

[Qapla]

The biggest complaint I have heard about MH axles its that they are too wide so they have to be cut and welded back to the needed width. This is the main reason most people I have heard look down upon using them.

 

[2458n]

You now understand why most semi trailers in Ohio run Maine tags on them.

 

[mjw357]

So do you test trailer brakes? How? What about the breakaway?

Yes. Most brake controllers have a manual lever on them. While moving about 20mph, apply the trailer brakes with the lever. If you feel the trailer pulling on the tow vehicle, you got brakes. For the breakaway, while stopped, have a helper pull the pin and step away. Then attempt to pull forward. If you feel strong resistance, it works.

 

[Pepsiboy]

Hello everybody- I just have a quick easy question, well I think it is! I have just changed my fleet around a bit. I had a 2004 half ton chevy ext cab with a 16' 7k car hauler I used to move my L3200 on occasion. I never go far, just around my town doing small jobs. The truck did not like hauling the tractor, and stopping was not good either- So anyway, I sold my car hauler and picked up a pretty nice 18' deckover with mobile home axles. The trailer was well built, and down the road I will probably buy some new axles for it, with brakes. It does not have working brakes now. I dont know what the trailer weighs, but it is built pretty heavy. I just bought a super nice, 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with a cummins diesel, 66k miles. Clean florida truck. I have not picked the truck up yet. I am wondering, do you guys think it will stop ok? I know, I should have trailer brakes, but for this year I would like to run what I have and give my wallet a break! Like I said, I might tow it 20 miles max, L3200 with a backhoe... I sure do appreciate all your advise. You all have been great in the past!

RonnieMaine,

As a former over the road truck driver, if I remember correctly, USDOT regulations state that if the weight of the trailer AND cargo is over 1,500 pounds it is REQUIRED to have brakes. They can be electric, hydraulic surge, or air, depending on how the tow vehicle is set up. :2cents:

Dave

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I used to do a lot of modular building work where all the modules came in on temporary attached axles. After removing the wheels and axles the axles were sent to scrap as it cost more than they were worth to ship back to the manufacturing plant. Wheels and tires were sold cheap on Craig's list. No brakes, everything the cheapest possible, not even a flange to add brakes. The haulers carried at least 6 spare tires on rims as blowouts were common with the cheap undersized tires. WOULD you want those under your equipment trailer??

Ron

No that's NOT what I would want under my trailer...

Good thing that's NOT how most MH axles are built, at least not the ones under the MH delivered here...

NOW, the tires, that's different, as they really are low quality, but my tire guy sells brand name excellent tires that fit the stock rims, and "that's" how you fix that problem.

SR

 

[Xfaxman]

Good enough. I will see about some brakes. These axles do have brakes, but all need to be replaced. I may do away with the old mh style spindle and weld on the standard style used commonly today so brakes are easier too get. ---------------

You may not have to change the spindle: Parts for Lugged Hubs on a Mobile Home Axle with 15123 inner and 2588 Outer Bearings | etrailer.com

These fit some MH axles.

 

[RobertN]

I have same tractor, with loaded tires, and same size trailer. I can totally feel that trailer and tractor if I don't have my brake controller set right; I can stop it, but it takes longer and more pressure on the pedal. I always check brakes, since I tow 3 different trailers, to make sure my controller is set right.

I've had to make a couple hard stops to avoid accidents, mostly from people cutting me off. No way I would have made same panic stop in time without brakes, even with good brakes on my 3/4 ton turbo diesel.

I could even feel similar weight Bobcat on same trailer pushing my buddies F450 when I towed with it when the controller was not dialed in.

I towed my TC40DA on a 16' 7,000# tandem trailer for about a year with no trailer brakes with a 2002 F250 7.3 and had no problems stopping it, ever. I now have a 20' 10,400# tandem trailer with brakes and to be honest, I don't really feel all that much difference in stopping, even in an emergency situation. I get that trailer brakes are safer and all things being equal, I'd rather have them but, for me anyway, they haven't made that much difference.

And yes, the brakes work, I can stop the truck with the brake controller when the trailer is attached. I think it's just that I have a 6500# truck and the trailer/tractor combo simply isn't enough to really push it around.

 

[RoninMaine]

thank you for that link xfaxman! appreciate you taking the time to post that!

 

[Xfaxman]

thank you for that link xfaxman! appreciate you taking the time to post that!

Your're welcome. They are available from several places, just do a search.

 

[PILOON]

My experience.
Buddy loaded my PU (3/4 ton GMC 4 x 4) and my trailer with top soil that my wife wanted.
As I neared the first stop light I downshifted and braked then decided where I would crash the truck to cause the least damage.

Luck was on my side and the light turned green and fortunately the other vehicles accelerated rapidly letting me clear the intersection.

FYI, the rest of the trip home was VERY slow and timed to clear lights with lots of horn honking.
Never again.

He loaded me 'till the springs showed signs of sagging. (both truck and trailer had HD springs)
That PU diesel never even hinted of straining. (bet I could light a cigarette on the brake disks)

 

[mikesee]

Ronnie: Glad to hear you are adding brakes to this trailer. My advice is do not ever even think about hauling your tractor on that trailer with out brakes. If that trailer breaks away from your truck for what ever reason and that trailer hits someone and kills them you will go to jail

 

[RoninMaine]

You are absolutely right Mikesee. I never thought that deeply into it. I would not want anyone getting hurt on my conscious, that alone is reason enough....

 

[Qapla]

Here is a link to trailer laws for each state by AAA

 

[WM75Guy]

I have trailer brakes on all 3 of my trailers over 4000 pounds GVWR. My 03 GMC has 210,000 miles with factory brakes still on it. Just had new front hubs and rear seals done and all four brakes have over 50% pad left. To me that justifies having good trailer brakes.