Adding brakes?

[Jojadog]

I'm looking at a dual axle trailer that currently doesn't have brakes. The current owner says they can easily be added. Anybody know how to do so? And how much it would cost? It's a 23' aluminum magic loader. We live about 3 minutes from the lake, so would we really need brakes? The boat is in the water now, but we plan on pulling it out in the winters and for sporadic cleaning and maintenance.

 

[vndkshn]

Re: Adding brakes?

That short of a tow, I wouldn't bother.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Adding brakes?

I find it very odd that a trailer that size doesn't have brakes. The total weight of boat + trailer is undoubtedly over the minimum for requiring brakes in any jurisdiction I can think of.

Check the regulations in your state/province; you are often required to have brakes on both axles. It doesn't matter how far away the ramp is if you tow on public roads.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Adding brakes?

See if the axles have brake flanges on them already.

The square piece in this photo is what a brake flange looks like.

 

[Mousejockey]

Re: Adding brakes?

Distance to the lake isnt relative, whats to say you dont plan a camping trip somewhere that has a lake?
Electric trailer brakes are fairly simple, You can get them already loaded up on a backing plate 14" or 15". You would need a drum that fits your spindle, bearings and wires to go up front and a trailer brake controler for inside the cab. Check with your local boat shop or trailer supply store, they can get ya all ya need for it.
You will only need 1 axle set with your weight Id say.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Adding brakes?

Distance to the lake isnt relative, whats to say you dont plan a camping trip somewhere that has a lake?
Electric trailer brakes are fairly simple, You can get them already loaded up on a backing plate 14" or 15". You would need a drum that fits your spindle, bearings and wires to go up front and a trailer brake controler for inside the cab. Check with your local boat shop or trailer supply store, they can get ya all ya need for it.
You will only need 1 axle set with your weight Id say.

he will have to know what his state requirment is. No sense doing it half a#^#.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Adding brakes?

Championtrailers.com has a good tutorial about brakes.

First, I hope your tow vehicle is capable of handling the load. In other words, don't try to pull a 7,000 pound load with a front wheel drive mini-van. Hopefully you're pulling with a full size V8 powered truck or SUV.

Second question is how heavy is the boat AND trailer? 3K to 4K is one thing if you're just pulling a short distance to the lake. But if you're grossing over that, brakes are really needed.

If you need to put brakes on the trailer, you should consider 4 wheel disc surge style brakes. Surge brakes just do better on boats than electric actuated drum brakes. They're not hard to install for a backyard mechanic, and readily available at many websites at good prices.

I can't believe anyone built a 23' aluminum tandem axle boat trailer without full brakes.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Adding brakes?

I guarantee you that the trailer was manufactured and delivered to the original customer with brakes! Someone in the interim has ripped them off for a variety of unknown reasons! I would be suspect in the purchase of a trailer that is being sold without brakes. Is this a C-list advertisement? Post the listing here for us to have a gander at it.

 

[mitchell2345]

Re: Adding brakes?

I just added brakes to my trailer this past weekend. wast really that hard at all. Took about 6-7 hours. I have never done anything like this but with some reading and $500 i got it done. The kit was $450 (etrailer.com) and another $50 in grease, wiring harness and tools etc.

I pull my 21' Bow rider only about 2 miles to get on the water. but we are planning on taking a trip every summer to a hilly area.

Mitchell

 

[dave11]

Re: Adding brakes?

I will be putting surge disc brakes on a single axel trailer. Just under $1000. to have it done.

 

[mitchell2345]

Re: Adding brakes?

wow glad to know i saved some good cash doing it myself.

 

[vndkshn]

Re: Adding brakes?

Distance to the lake isnt relative, whats to say you dont plan a camping trip somewhere that has a lake?

What's to say OP doesn't want to take the boat overseas? Or to the moon? If he planned to take a camping trip somewhere that has a lake... that would be PLANNING! And he could add brakes then.

Since OP is saying the boat will stay in the lake and only come out for winterizing, cleaning, and maintenance... no reason to spend money adding brakes to a trailer that is going to sit there empty over 90% of the time. I have a 3500# empty weight boat that spends its life on the lake, coming out from time to time for cleaning, maintenance, and so far one trip to a lake 1 hour 30 minutes away... its trailer brakes don't work right now (master cylinder is full of water and rust), it hasn't caused drama.