Which Axle to Brake first, Front or Back?

[Iplayfarmer]

I want to add brakes to a tandem axle trailer that currently has no brakes at all. I know that both axles is the best way to do it, but I also know that one axle is better than no brakes at all. I'll likely add brakes to both axles eventually, but for now I'm doing just one.

The question is whether one axle is better than the other to start with.

Any thoughts?

 

[kevinj]

I want to add brakes to a tandem axle trailer that currently has no brakes at all. I know that both axles is the best way to do it, but I also know that one axle is better than no brakes at all. I'll likely add brakes to both axles eventually, but for now I'm doing just one.

The question is whether one axle is better than the other to start with.

Any thoughts?

Seems like the factory units I have seen had the brakes on the rear axle.

 

[RickB]

Spring suspension tandem axles typically have equalizers that equalize loading. I'd think it doesn't matter which axle of this design has brakes. Tandem Tor-Flex axles have no equalizers and no way to predict axle loading on uneven surfaces. I'd be pretty adamant about having brakes on all axles on a Tor-Flex equipped trailer. Actually, I think you should just do both axles now. It's a requirement in many states for good reason.

 

[aczlan]

The short story is that, brakes on the front axle of a tandem axle trailer that uses equalized leaf springs will lessen the weight (and as such, the braking power) on the front axle, while brakes on the rear axle of that trailer will tend to increase the weight (and as such, the braking power) on the rear axle. For the long story, I will quote myself from another thread on which axle should have brakes (I apologize for quoting myself, but I like what I said over there)

As I understand it (and someone correct me if I missed something) if a trailer has dual axles with leaf springs and an equalizer between them, the weight on both axles will the the same when the trailer is loaded and stopped, if there is more weight on the front the front axle will be pushed down more than the back, this will cause the front spring to push up on the front of the equalizer which will push down on the back of the equalizer, causing the back spring (and by extension the back axle) to take an equal share of the weight, this continues until you run out of travel on the equalizer at which point the load becomes unbalanced.

Attached is a diagram of a dual axle trailer at rest, with front brakes applied and with rear brakes applied, it shows the forces applied to the equalizer and the result of said forces..

Aaron Z

 

[schmism]

mine are on the front axle. in the process of adding to the rear.

but reality is parts are like $300 an axle. why wouldn't you do both?

 

[Diamondpilot]

While I have seen and sold, even own, trailers with brakes on either the front or rear axle, the rear is preferred. My 7,000# boat has them only on the rear while my 7,000# car hauler has them only on the front.

If I was putting them on I would go for the rear.

As for being required on all axles I hear this all the time but seen no proof to back that up. That being said on a 7K trailer brakes on one axle is fine. On anything bigger, like a 10K up, I have never seen them on just one and would required them for any trailer I sold or owned.

Chris

 

[kebo]

My 16ft Diamond C Road Clipper utility trailer has the brakes on the rear axle.

 

[FlaDon]

While I have seen and sold, even own, trailers with brakes on either the front or rear axle, the rear is preferred. My 7,000# boat has them only on the rear while my 7,000# car hauler has them only on the front.

If I was putting them on I would go for the rear.

As for being required on all axles I hear this all the time but seen no proof to back that up. That being said on a 7K trailer brakes on one axle is fine. On anything bigger, like a 10K up, I have never seen them on just one and would required them for any trailer I sold or owned.

Chris

AAA compilation.

 

[ModMech]

Funny you should ask.......

It depends a LOT on the "attitude" of the trailer while in tow, I'll explain.

If you are pulling a trailer that is "nose up", you definately want brakes on the REAR axle because the front axle will be more lightly loaded.

If you are pulling a trailer that is "nose down", it's better to have the brakes on the front axle - within limits. As you brake, the nose of the towing vehicle will typically drop, raising the nose of the trailer, which will unload the front axle slightly.

So, the only answer that is really an answer, is "It depends" LoL!

 

[Diamondpilot]

AAA compilation.

Great site Don. Thanks.

I see only 6 states require them on all wheels and also the District of Columbia and on some of them its only over/after a certain weight.

Looking at the list none of the 10 or so states I commonly travel require them on all wheels.

Chris

 

[dcyrilc]

Mine has them on all three axles.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

but reality is parts are like $300 an axle. why wouldn't you do both?

Because I only paid $300 for the trailer. I don't want to sink too much into the trailer until I've proven to myself that it's worth it. I'm planning to do lights and a single brake axle to get me going. If I like it enough to keep it, I'll eventually add the brakes to the second axle.

See the attached pic. The trailer in the foreground is the new one. The one to the left of it is my old one. It's a good trailer, but I really miss the tilt feature I had on the shorter trailer I had before. The white one in the background is the neighbor's.

 

[CurlyDave]

Because I only paid $300 for the trailer. I don't want to sink too much into the trailer until I've proven to myself that it's worth it.

I tend to look at these things more along the lines of "how much is my life worth?"

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Because I only paid $300 for the trailer. I don't want to sink too much into the trailer until I've proven to myself that it's worth it.

I tend to look at these things more along the lines of "how much is my life worth?"

My life is probably worth about twice what I paid for the trailer. I don't aspire to be too awfully important.

Besides, my tractor is a Massey 1215!! It may weigh 2500 lbs caked with mud and full of fuel. I think the situations where brakes on the front axle will make a life and death difference are very few and far between. I've spent many years pulling much heavier trailers than this with maybe a few lights that work, let alone brakes. I'm just happy to have any brakes at all.

 

[MikeD74T]

Never given "which axle" much thought as my trailer has brakes on both but if I unload & forget to reduce the setting on my controller it's always the front axle that locks up & drags the tires. MikeD74T

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would worry about that tongue way before I worried about brakes.

Chris

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Never given "which axle" much thought as my trailer has brakes on both but if I unload & forget to reduce the setting on my controller it's always the front axle that locks up & drags the tires. MikeD74T

That's another vote for the first set of brakes on the rears. If the fronts lock up first the rears are still braking after the fronts have quit.

 

[LBrown59]

Never given "which axle" much thot.

Put 1 brake on one side of the front axle and the other on the opposite side ot the rear axle. :thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Put 1 brake on one side of the front axle and the other on the opposite side ot the rear axle. :thumbsup:

I guess then, in the most technical sense, I would actually have brakes on both axles.

Right now I'm hoping that I can save enough on shipping if I buy two sets that I can justify getting both now.

 

[FlaDon]

Great site Don. Thanks.

I see only 6 states require them on all wheels and also the District of Columbia and on some of them its only over/after a certain weight.

Looking at the list none of the 10 or so states I commonly travel require them on all wheels.

Chris

Bad, or good part, is that the main states I travel in do. Simplest to go for the highest requirement and not worry about it in any state. Florida requires the high standard, all wheels if over 3K as does GA. Rest of the states are not as specific.


And as MikeD74T says, empty, my front wheels are first to lock if the controller isn't cut back. I set it so in an emergency, the brakes will come on when empty. When doing normal stops, the truck handles it. Change in weight on the axles can be over 4K lbs between empty and loaded on a 7K GVWR trailer. That make a big difference in wheel grip. Tires chirping to a stop means excess tire wear.