Trailer: To brake or not to brake...
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12756
Printed Date: September-29-2024 at 5:26pm
Topic: Trailer: To brake or not to brake...
Posted By: kman
Subject: Trailer: To brake or not to brake...
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 4:35pm
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I have a tandem trailer (1976 model) that has an old style inertia brake system on it that currently does not work due to age, rust, etc. A friend of mine who pulls a lot of trailers, boats and RV's told me to just leave it disconnected. The boat dry weight is 2450lbs and I pull it with a Ford Expedition with the large V8 engine which is rated for a lot more weight than that. He mentioned other variables like what happens if the brakes lock up on the trailer...
So, does he have a point or should I replace the brake system? One more important point is that I don't pull my boat very much. Maybe 4-5 times a year for trips. Otherwise it stays on Eagle Mountain. 
 ------------- Kirk 1976 Southwind 20 Eagle Mountain Lake Fort Worth |
Replies:
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 5:07pm
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Kirk,
I have a 99 Silverado and my brakes were shot when I bought the trailer. Your friend is right. If you have that big of a vehicle you don't need them. Now, I repaired mine and I don't regreat it. Now I feel more comfortable when I need to brake to brake hard. Also, I feel better knowing that if came off the hitch the emergency lock should stop. Safety is the question and how deep are your pockets. I bought all my parts at the http://trailerpartsdepot.com/ - trailerpartsdepot and they helped me a lot. I was surprise to know is really not that expensive. I only bought the parts I needed but I realize that for a little bit more I could bought the whole thing new. I don't know if they would have parts for that kind of brake. But you can buy the actuator and both drums for ~$340. Installation should be really easy. I would definetly do it since I have seen the difference and for the cost you will have some peace of mind, IMO. Is up to you and your pockets. |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 5:22pm
Here is an exple. Maybe your traile can be update with this newer style brake. This kit cost $325.
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 6:48pm
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Kirk,
Go with the brakes if you can. I have a 3/4 ton Suburban and even with a 2000lb. boat/trailer the brakes make a big difference especially with hard/emergency braking. You having a: "Ford Expedition with the large V8 engine" The engine only comes into play for acceleration!! Most state laws require trailer brakes over 1000lbs. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: kman
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 6:51pm
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I knew the V8 would come back to haunt me. Fingers type faster than the brain thinks...
Thanks for the advice. ------------- Kirk 1976 Southwind 20 Eagle Mountain Lake Fort Worth |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 8:33pm
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KMan - I'm with Pete on this one. If you get involved in an accident with defective brakes & get sued, your defense lawyer's fees will make the $325 look like peanuts. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: tullfooter
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 9:51pm
I was wondering how long it would take for freakin lawyers to be brought up. ------------- Play hard, life's not a trial run. '85 BFN '90 BFN White Lake, Michigan |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 10:29pm
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Are there kits available for a disc brake system? Our trailer has brakes on both axles thus (4) disc brakes, pulling with a Suburban stopping is not much different with or without boat in tow.
------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 11:16pm
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Quinner,
Trailerpartsdepot have different kits available. Checkout their website. They have from different kits ranging from weight, drum/disk, and hydraulics/electronics. Do you have disc or drums? If you have drums make sure they are well bleed and adjusted. A decent adjustment should be that when you turn the wheel it will stop about 1/4-1/2 turn. Make sure you feel the same resistance on all them. On my trailer it was very noticeable difference. I can stop quick something critical here in TX. 
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Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: January-26-2009 at 11:25pm
Sorry - Liability is pretty much drummed into me at work. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
tullfooter wrote:Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 8:51am
Thats because your trailer brakes are working you wingnut.  If they weren't you'ld know it, thats a lot of boat to stop.------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 10:12am
Anthony, Can't people still drink and drive in Texas? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 37N122W
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 2:14pm
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I was pondering this question my self. I'm pretty sure in California any trailer over 1500lbs is required to have breaks. I don't think mine are working - I popped the top on the reservoir and I didn't find any fluid! Hopefully it's as simple as bleeding the lines.
I just got back from Texas. I understand your need to stop fast! I think it's legal to drink and drive and shoot anyone who gets in your way!  ------------- "It never gets easier, you just go faster." Greg LeMond |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 3:07pm
Are you serious? Wouldn't this require anyone with an older trailer (say 1970s CC) to put brakes on it? Seems incredibly unreasonable to enforce such a law. ------------- |
Posted By: 37N122W
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 3:25pm
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I looked up California to confirm this and any trailer with a GVW over 1500lbs is required to have breaks. I don't know about other states. California tends to regulate everything they can possibly think of. As far as enforcing the law, I doubt the cops are going to be looking but if you got pulled over or in a wreck or something, it might complicate things for you. Who knows? I can tell you that I've hauled a few boats with out them for several years and never even knew it was an issue. ------------- "It never gets easier, you just go faster." Greg LeMond |
Posted By: anthonylizardi
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 4:18pm
You should see how many accidents we have when it starts raining. We are under ice storm conditions and people wants to 65mph on highways, they don't get it. I think is legal to drink and drive on the back of a pickup. 
They changed the law about shooting people. Now you don't have to tell them you are going to shoot them if you found a thief inside your property. Just shoot!!! Got love the Lonestar state! 
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Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 4:34pm
Kevin, I was wrong. I just googled state regulations for trailer brakes and found a listing of all the states. Most states (Ill. too) say they are required for any trailer over 3000lbs GTW. I'd have to say it's not enforced and most officers wouldn't know what they are looking at anyway. But, this is why we now see even single axle (typical 3500GTW) new trailers with brakes. I don't know if old trailers are "grandfathered" - it didn't say in the chart. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 4:49pm
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Wingnut.. What the....
Alan, you added brakes to your trailer, correct? Disc or Drum? Here is Tie Downs sales sheet on the disc brakes, would these work on Kirk's or any CC Trailer? Unless I am missing something, which is somewhat likely, aren't disc's better then drum's, less maintenance, etc? Cost difference? 
------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1143" rel="nofollow - Mi Bowt |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 5:28pm
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3k sounds better Pete. I know that is the number commonly thrown out when brakes are "recommended". Brakes were still options on the early "2001" Ski Nautiques trailers. ------------- |
Posted By: 75 Tique
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 5:42pm
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http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws - state trailer brake limits One thing on this didnt line up. I looked up MA and it appears to be 3,000, but this map says MA is 10,000. ------------- _____________ “So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: January-27-2009 at 6:39pm
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Larry,
The tow vehicles in MA. must have real good brakes or else they use the vehicle in front of them for additional braking!!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 74SkiNautique
Date Posted: January-28-2009 at 2:37pm
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I got an '02 1500 Yukon XL with the 5.3 V8. The brakes on this thing are HUGE! We drive 27 miles eachway to go to our lake, and it is a bit hilly. Our SN and trailer are about 3,000lbs. It does fine, but brakes would be nice just to take some load off of the Yukon. ------------- 74SkiNautique |
Posted By: C-Bass
Date Posted: January-29-2009 at 11:46am
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I have an '85 with the factory trailer. You guys mention 3000# brakes, but I can't ever find 3000# brakes with 6 lug hubs. They all seem to be 8000# or higher, which is definite overkill.
------------- Craig 67 SN 73 SN http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=6103" rel="nofollow - 99 Sport 85SN |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: January-29-2009 at 1:28pm
Yeah, I added drum because of the weight of the rig. I wanted to go disk but they require more pressure to apply so with a lighter boat when using surge brakes drum are recommended below 3000 and disk above that.
http://www.championtrailers.com/DrumVsDiscBrakeArtcl.htm - disk vs drum ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |