How big of boat for trailer brakes

[bruceb58]

You are going to spend around $120/wheel for Disk. $100/wheel for electric drum.

Brake coupler for surge will run $160 vs a brake controller that will run $150 so the price difference is not that much.

If the boat happens to be launched in salt water ever, the choice is a no brainer for the disk brakes.

 

[studders]

I got your attention and that was the point. If the trailer is pushing the truck around when braking, then something needs to be done. If you do a hard stop, the rear of the truck is raising and the trailer is adding to that lift, reducing the braking and traction of the rear wheels. Brakes on the trailer hold the rear of the truck down during a stop, increasing stability along with decreased braking distance.

I used a kid as an extreme example. But dogs and deer do the dumbest things, not to mention others pulling out in front of you. And it can happen to anyone of us.

Just from a comfort standpoint, trailer brakes will help. I glad you're looking at getting trailer brakes. Carry through with it for your own safety.

Thanks again to you and to all that had input on this issue I am having. Already shopping around for electric brakes. Doesn't look to hard to put them on either.

 

[Scott Danforth]

opcornoh a trailer brake thread....... sort of like an oil thread or ethanol thread but different.

long story short, trailer brakes are a good thing. I personally do not care if you want electric, surge hydraulic drums, surge hydraulic discs or little monkeys throwing out anchors because you have the brake light wires hooked up to them to give them a shock. That is a preference issue.

But definitely, put brakes on the trailer

 

[smokeonthewater]

Look like Bruce has lost another one to the darkside BAWHAHA

 

[bruceb58]

Look like Bruce has lost another one to the darkside BAWHAHA

Just giving my advice. I have had every combo of brakes that you can have so know the problems with all.

Just giving the flip side to all the people that think electric brakes are the best for some odd reason. There is a reason that 99% of boat trailers do not come with electric brakes.

 

[oldjeep]

Just giving my advice. I have had every combo of brakes that you can have so know the problems with all.

Just giving the flip side to all the people that think electric brakes are the best for some odd reason. There is a reason that 99% of boat trailers do not come with electric brakes.

I would think that a big one would be because 99% of people don't have or even know what a brake controller is and 99% of vehicles don't have any factory wiring for a brake controller

 

[bruceb58]

I would think that a big one would be because 99% of people don't have or even know what a brake controller is and 99% of vehicles don't have any factory wiring for a brake controller

99% of travel trailers have electric brakes. Wouldn't the same reasoning apply to them?

 

[H20Rat]

Just giving my advice. I have had every combo of brakes that you can have so know the problems with all.

Just giving the flip side to all the people that think electric brakes are the best for some odd reason. There is a reason that 99% of boat trailers do not come with electric brakes.

Battery maintenance is my main reason I dislike electric brakes. I don't need yet another small battery to maintain and replace every couple of years. (and yes, I know a lot of people completely forget that a battery on the trailer is a requirement of electric brakes, and it is illegal to run without it.)

 

[gm280]

Obviously any size trailer WILL effect the drivability of any vehicle. Now whether that is obviously noticed or not is the real question. But by mere physics, it does change the drivability of any vehicle. If your present setup seems to not even know you are pulling a trailer, then I see no need for any brake system on the trailer. But equally you can but brakes on even a little tiny utility trailer if that makes you feel better. And any properly maintained brake system will work. I can see reasons for the more expensive systems and I would go for such if I were installing brakes. But also knowing how each system works, I can also see any brake system make stopping easy if there are setup properly and in complete operational order... I do like the "this one's better" comments going back and forth though... Keep it up, it makes for interesting reading. :thumb:

 

[oldjeep]

99% of travel trailers have electric brakes. Wouldn't the same reasoning apply to them?

Nope, because pretty much everyone tows them with a 1/2 ton or bigger pickup. Boat trailers are towed with just about anything.

 

[oldjeep]

Battery maintenance is my main reason I dislike electric brakes. I don't need yet another small battery to maintain and replace every couple of years. (and yes, I know a lot of people completely forget that a battery on the trailer is a requirement of electric brakes, and it is illegal to run without it.)

Good point, I'm sure I never checked the battery on any trailer I've ever had.

 

[GA_Boater]

opcornoh a trailer brake thread....... sort of like an oil thread or ethanol thread but different.

Big difference with a brake thread. We can put a stop to it.

Gotta agree, any working brake system is better than none at all. Now quit abusing monkeys. You know who might be knocking on your door. :lol:

 

[bruceb58]

Nope, because pretty much everyone tows them with a 1/2 ton or bigger pickup.

As do people that tow 24' or longer boats which are still 99% surge brakes.

 

[smokeonthewater]

My brakes work when backing down a boat ramp.

 

[oldjeep]

As do people that tow 24' or longer boats which are still 99% surge brakes.

That is not something you really see much of around here.

 

[Frank Acampora]

No one has yet mentioned tongue weight. Too light a tongue weight besides making the trailer squirrely can affect braking. His tongue weight should be around 300 pounds.

 

[SilverSS07]

Have you checked the adjustment on the drum brakes on your Dodge? I know I have to manually adjust mine every so often and it does make quite a difference when towing. Can't tell much of a difference when you're not towing. I would recommend trailer brakes just for the record . Hydraulic disk or electric. I'm going with hydraulic disk on mine...

 

[bigdee]

In NC only over 3500 lbs require brakes.....which also means dual axle since single axle trailers are rated under 3500#. I have seen very few single axle trailers with brakes in my state.

 

[bruceb58]

There are single axles rated at over 5000#.

 

[bigdee]

There are single axles rated at over 5000#.

As a general rule you would be hard pressed to find a single axle BOAT trailer rated over 3500#