Enough braking power?

[Arnie929]

I am new to this forum, so please bear with me if I screw up on the format required here.<br /><br />I have a 17' Bayliner with an 85 HP Force outboard motor and your standard trailer. I guess I am around 1700# all told, and I am pulling this with a Chevy S10, 4 cylinder, not the most powerful truck around but I have had no problems in the pulling department so far.<br /><br />The question is: Where can I go find the information to learn whether I have enough braking power in this truck to handle this extra load? I never exceed 55 on the highway, but I am looking for peace of mind here. Even at 55, if I have to slam on the brakes, I am afraid it might not stop. The result is that every time I go out with the boat I am sweating bullets, not an enjoyable situation. What is the general rule to match braking power to load?<br /><br />Thank you.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Enough braking power?

I spent an hour today sweating bullets pulling my 23' CC to Key Largo (40 miles) behind my 93 Explorer and that is with disk brakes. I put up with it since I go slow (45-50) and make the trip very infrequently.<br /><br />First you should contact your dealer and find out what your truck is rated for. I suspect that you will be OK. Having said that if you do a lot of over the road running I would consider puting a set of brakes on your trailer to lessen the pucker factor even though they may not be required. Peace of mind is worth it. <br /><br />If you have to dunk your trailer you might consider the extra cost of disk brakes. Drum brakes are OK so long as you don't have to sink them. I spent years and mucho $$$ replacing rusted drum brake parts ,even with fresh water flushing.

 

[JB]

Re: Enough braking power?

Hi, Arnoldini.<br /><br />I really doubt that your rig weighs 1700lb.<br /><br />My Boston Whaler 17 with a 70 Suzuki 4 stroke, 14gal of gas, battery (1) and my fishing gear weighs just about 2000lb, including Magic tilt trailer. I would expect the B'liner/85 Merc to be heavier. You should get it weighed.<br /><br />SoLittle gives good advice. Get the tow rating of your S-10 as equipped (tranny and oil cooler, diff ratio, heavy duty cooling, etc). Four cylinder minipickups, particularly with stick shift and economy gearing, are often rated below 2,000lb.<br /><br />My tow vehicle is rated for 5,000lb with, and 3,000lb without brakes, which is normal because most states require brakes at 3,000lb. I wouldn't call a tow comfortable if it exceeded 70% of my tow rating.<br /><br />Good luck.