Trailer Brakes required!!

[JB]

I am concerned by how many members don't seem to know their state laws regarding trailer brakes. At least that's the impression I get reading statements of how much weight they tow without brakes, and what vehicles they are towing with. The following are from Rand McNally, 2001 edition.<br /><br />The only states that do not have a law requiring brakes on boat trailers are: KS, KY, and MO.<br /><br />MA requires brakes over 10,000lb, AK over 5,000, TX over 4,500, and DE over 4,000.<br /><br />GA, MS, OH, UT and WV over 2,000.<br /><br />CA and ID over 1,500.<br /><br />NY over 1,000 <br /><br />EVERY other state requires brakes on trailers over 3,000 pounds.<br /><br />These laws cover vehicles being used in that state, whether registered there or not.<br /><br />If you have an accident you are toast, dudes! Get your trailer weighed at full load and get it legal. That includes, of course, making sure your tow vehicle is also legal to tow that much.<br /><br />Good luck, tow safely and legally.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Thanks for the info JB.Giving us access to this info shows just how deserving you are of your rank. THANKFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY BART (UNLANDLOCKED) SR.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Ditto that JB.. Someone nearly bought me a new one yesterday because his lawn maintenance trailer was way overloaded and his truck(if you can call it that) was not equiped with the proper load distributing hitch or brakes....I could see this clown a good ways back in my rearview mirror and could plainly see that he was going to have big problems if he had to stop at all let alone going fast(45).. The light turned red and of course I stoped applying my brakes long before I had to stop to give him plenty of warning... Thankfully there was nobody in the right lane next to me.. Well he managed to make it into the right lane just barely missing me and he went right on through the intersection with the front tires barely touching the groung and rear brakes locked up leaving skid marks at least 200 feet and going up on the sidewalk almost ending up in the post office parking lot.. Thank God no one was coming through the intersection or he would have bought the farm for sure... Now one would think after that mishap this fella would get the message, right?? WRONG.. He proceeded through the next intersection in the same fashion..Once again testing his luck and proving to be quite lucky that particular day... I don't know what happened to him after that...I wonder if he made it to his destination???... With all respect to law enforcment, why is there never an officer around when you need one???<br />So Fellas get the brakes.. Make sure they work properly.. Give yourself plenty of extra room.. Be responsible.. Thank you in advance from your fellow motorists and boaters....

 

[jocko_nc]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

That advice regarding trailer brakes is right on. Most boat rigs on the road, I bet, are illegal in some way.<br /><br />I am not sure what being "illegal" means with regard to being in an accident...<br /><br />Yes, many states have those laws you mentioned. True. However, I bet you guys don't know that many states also require a different type of vehicle registration for a tow vehicle with TOTAL vehicle + trailer weight in excess of, say, 5000 lbs. In NC there is a different sticker to put on your license tag. No kidding. (so I am told!) Nobody I know has it. Many tow rigs are in excess of the maximum weight even without a trailer! Tie a Radio Flyer to the back and get a $ 200.00 ticket.<br /><br />I understand the proper way to remain "legal" is to upgrade to a 10000 lbs registration when you get your tags renewed. About $ 100.00. Again, so I am told.<br /><br />Something to think about.<br /><br />jocko

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

boy am I lucky being in NY... 1,000lbs???<br />I'm pretty close to 1500lbs and never thought<br />I had to worry on a 16' runabout, but I guess<br />I'm wrong.<br />maybe I'll start a new thread... how to add<br />brakes to an old trailer. LOL<br />thanks JB, I never knew I was breaking the law.<br />boat 1050lbs<br />motor 300lbs<br />everything else 1-200lbs<br />not even close.....

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Good idea, Mellow.<br /><br />I just discovered that I am illegal when towing through Manitoba to LOTW. <br /><br />Guess I need brakes or a different trailer.

 

[jocko_nc]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Tie Down Enginering sells kits for about $400.00 to modify a trailer to disc brakes. Stainless discs, actuator, lines, axle w/ lugs.<br /><br />I will be getting one soon.<br /><br />jocko

 

[prplhze65]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Hey, JB, are you sure about CA. If so, can a boat dealer sell a boat and trailer without brakes if they are required by law? Hmmmmm.P

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Howdy, Purple.<br /><br />I am sure that is what Rand McNally says. I assume they know.<br /><br />I definitely wouldn't tow over 1,000 through those mountains. It is enough just to control a car!<br /><br />I assume that it would be illegal to sell an illegal vehicle, but the trailer doesn't become illegal until a boat and its load are on it. That's nit-picky, but some guys might use it to get around the law.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[jasonnb]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

I believe the great state of TN has a 3,000lb limit. One of my boats is under, one was over so I added elictric brakes a month or so ago. Love those brakes.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Mellowyellow and other NY'ers, good news?<br /><br />ALL States trailer and rv info posted on <br />this site, check it out. <br /><br /> http://www.rvadvice.com/rvtowlaw.html <br /><br />Explaination #9 at bottom of page says: Brakes required on trailers over 1,000 lbs. unladen, or 3,000 lbs. laden.<br /><br />You should be ok, but brakes are nice.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

3000# in Kentucky<br />Oregon ?? <br />NC 1000#<br /><br />Wyoming and Kansas- ability to stop within 40 feet at 20mph. Or brakes are required? What if I have brakes and still can't stop that quickly?

 

[SCO]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Roscoe, you can stop that fast with brakes on the tow and trailer. Thats only a 1/3 g decel. A regular vehicle will stop at about 2/3 g decel or better. With 1/3 g decel, it takes 422 feet to stop from 65mph. Roughly, you might get to that 1/3 g decel when the trailer is unbraked, and the tow vehicle and towed vehicle weigh about the same. It depends on the surface you are on. This is for dry pavement.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

sco, it was just a hypothetical ? <br /><br />I never ran with brakes until I drove semi for a year. What a learning experience. Now I look for any added safety I can find, and wouldn't run without them. I usually only tow a 16.5' fishing rig, about 1800# when loaded for vacation.<br /><br />The only time I don't use them is when we go off road in Canada. We drive a couple hundred miles on logging roads, mostly under 25mph because of all the pot holes and boulders.<br /><br />The bottom line is check with your states DMV and of those you run in, and get brakes if you can.

 

[SCO]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Roscoe, you obviously know your braking capabilities. I just knew the answer and thought it might be an eye opener. Thanks for your inputs, this is a good thread.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Sorry to jump into this so late in the conversation... <br /><br />Just one question..<br /><br />If almost every state has a trailer brake law, why do they sell trailers without brakes that would clearly break the law when loaded down?<br /><br />This makes no sense.<br /><br />Mark

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Hi, TX. . .<br /><br />It seems to me that the trailer doesn't become illegal until you put the illegal weight on it. That would let the dealer off the hook and make you liable.<br /><br />Lousy system, Huh?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

SCO, thanks for making me feel like I know what I'm talking about, but its all seat of the pants experience. I wish I had that kind of knowledge floating around in my head, like you do.<br /><br />Oh yea, the reason I don't use brakes on the logging roads is because I was told that with the way the trailer bounces, rocks, and slides around, the surge brakes would be applied inadvertently. <br /><br />It made sense to me. What do you think??

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Thanks JB - makes sense, but I can't say i agree with it...<br /><br />Roscoe, with surge brakes, i would assume they only come on when the inertia is applied tot he master cylinder located within the tongue of the trailer?

 

[SCO]

Re: Trailer Brakes required!!

Roscoe, It's the people that lose control of their rigs on the main highways, not logging roads that scare me, and those are mainly people that don't know their limitations. "A man's got to know his limitations"( The Outlaw Josie Wales after he shot a bounty hunter I think). As soon as you said "semi" I knew you knew yours. I have some areas of knowledge and contribute them to do my part, but am humbled by and grateful for the knowledge found on this board.