Trailer brakes - need your advice...

[spike99]

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Since this section is to "talk about anything", I hope this unusual post is taken with a warm welcome. Hoping some of the guys on this forum are experienced in this area.

I need to install brakes on my large 6x10 utility trailer. I should have ordered this large size trailer with brakes back in 2002 (when I got it custom built) but didn't think brakes were necessary. After having this size of trailer "push" my Tow Vehicle down hills, into intersections and almost into the back of a few cars, I've come to the conclusion that trailer brakes anyting above 1,500 lbs are necessary. Especially for my trailer's max 3,500 lbs capacity.

Currently, I'm "crunching the numbers" to decide on installing new brake assembly & hubs on my trailer's existing 3,500 lbs axle, or simply buy a new pre-assembled axle that has brakes. Simple swap in/out in a hour instead of trying to rebuild existing. Then, sell my current idler axle for 50% discount, that reduce the overall cost of this project. In the end, the financial number are about the same.

Here's my question.... For a 3,500 lbs axle / 3,500 lbs springs utility trailer, should I replace its existing axle with a 3,500 lbs axle "with brakes", or upgrade to a 5,000 lbs axle "with brakes? The supplier only wants $80 (or so) difference to upgrade to a 5,000 axle with brakes. I'd leave the existing 3,500 lbs leaf springs "as is" but use a 5,000 lbs axle instead. Wondering if having a stronger axle with larger (stronger) brakes is worth it? Or, is this over-kill (sort of speaking) for a trailer that pulls average load of 2,000 - 2,500 lbs stuff 98% of the time. And only pulls 3,500 lbs (full load) on rare occasions.

Thanks...

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[larrynz]

I would see it as overkill, if you tow around 2,000 pounds the 3,500 gives you a wide margin of safety, thats plenty (it will have a safety margin anyway).
Keep in mind there is extra weight for you to tow, more wear and tear and fuel consumption for the tow vehicle.

[spike99]

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Thanks larrynz. After thinking about it, you are right. Too much brakes is a great thing but if this "extra" braking power is never used, its' a waste of dollars (re: an over kill).

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From a Trailer Towing Forum, one guy explained the following:
- My specific Tow Vehicle can tow up to 4,700 lbs (assuming only the driver and NO cargo inside my Tow Vehicle). Therefore, my Tow Vehicle can legally "pull" a 3,500 lbs utility trailer.
- My specific Tow Vehicle has factory brakes rated to stop its own vehicle weight and its max cargo capacity. For my specific Tow Vehicle, its maximum cargo capacity (including additional people weight) is 1,600 lbs. When towing my utility trailers, I do NOT load up my vehicle's cargo area. It's usually me (the driver) and an empty Tow Vehicle. Therefore, I'll use 1,600 lbs as a base number.
- My Tow Vehicle can only safely stop a trailer "under" 1,600 lbs without brakes. If a loaded trailer is more then 1,600 lbs, then the trailer needs brakes. Yes, my vehicle can stop more then a 1,600 lbs trailer (without brakes) but it will need more "road distance" to stop. In other words, the trailer's weight above 1,600 lbs does "push" its tow vehicle forward. Especially during a panic stop.
- From a math perspective (with only me and no cargo in the tow vehicle), having trailer brakes of 3,500 lbs is already an over kill. Actually, Trailer Brakes rated at 3,500 lbs braking power is more then enough braking power (behind my specific Tow Vehicle). However, more brakes is a good thing. Especially if I also load up the cargo area in my tow vehicle and "pull" the trailer at the same time. Therefore, I will stay with the 3,500 lbs brakes on the 3,500 axle - on my large utility trailer. Spending more dollars for a 5,000 lbs axle to obtain 5,000 lbs of braking power is way too much overkill (based on my Tow Vehicle's factory braking power numbers).
- From a math perspective, my tow vehicle cannot legally "stop" my fully loaded 3,500 lbs utility trailer. My trailer legally needs brakes for loads above 1,600 lbs Yes. The law in my area states that trailers under 3,000 lbs do NOT need brakes. Based on my specific tow vehicle braking designs specs, any trailer behind my Tow vehicle more then 1,600 lbs must have brakes.

BTW: The guy on the Trailer Towing Forum is the first person who clearly explained to me how one can calculate (confirm) if a trailer needs brakes and its strength of braking power. Or, how to tell when a trailer salesman is trying to sell you an under sized axle (with or without brakes) for one's towing needs. When buying my next trailer (like boat, utility, camper, etc.), I'll keep the following "braking power" formula in mind. And reflecting back in life, the guy who custom built my utility trailer in 2001 should have demanded I get brakes on this trailer. And, he should of explained why... Based on numbers, pulling a "fully loaded" 3,500 lbs axle trailer "without brakes" behind my Tow Vehicle is illegal. And, NOT safe.

thanks again for your feedback.

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