Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

[chriswh86]

Im looking at a Campion 18' Bow Rider. I/O motor. Comes with a single axle trailer.

Couple of questions

1.) I have a 2009 Sport Trac Adrenaline AWD 4.6L V8
Class 3 Hitch Rated at 5000lb w/ 500lb tounge weight (normal setup)

Or with Weight Dist. Hitch Rated at 7300lb w/ 730lb tounge wieght
I cant recall the weight of my truck. However, Im woundering if a weight dist hitch is over kill, even with a tounge weight that is within my range. Im looking to purchase a boat, not sure on tounge weight yet thought, I was told boat & trailer for 18' I/O bow rider is about 3300-3500lbs

2.) Adding Trailer Brakes - obv. the trailer wont currently come with brakes. Is it a good idea to add some, just to add safety and save some wear and tear on the tow vehicle?


Thanks everyone

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

Just use the 2" receiver hitch and go about your day.

A Weight Distributing Hitch is for RV's, not boats. They use bars sprung to offset tongue weights of 500-1000 lbs. and total weights up to 9000 lbs. You would have to un-spring the bars prior to launching a boat. Take it from a travel trailer owner, they're a big, big hassle. You're just looking for a 350 pound tongue weight on your boat.

As far as trailer brakes, you might look into British Columbia regulations concerning trailer brakes. Down South, some states require trailer brakes @ 3500 lbs. with breakaway prevention. It also depends on the terrain of where your going to carry your boat. If not required by BC and you're not trailering down a 10,000 ft. mountain, screw it. Go with what you have. If you do need brakes on your boat trailer, go with a hydraulic surge brake (not electric brakes) with breakaway protection.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

Trailer brakes are always a good thing.

 

[chriswh86]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

is it a big job to put brake setup on a trailer/truck? and whats teh best brake setup to go with, hyd or elec

 

[Guest]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

If I am right you have to have trailer brakes on any trailer/boat that is hauling 2,000lbs or more. There are some different laws depending on what state you are towing in. As for Canadians we have to have trailer brakes on at least 1 axle (if trailer is a tandem) when total weight exceeds 2000 lbs and when it is over 6000 lbs (tri axle) you have to have brakes on 2 axles. Just check your local laws or ask at the DMV they will be able to tell you.
I went with hydralic disc brakes on one axle of my tandem as they are less likely to have problems with the dampness you temd to get with electric ones. I have seen electric brakes that have rusted/rotted out from the dampness and the contact part of the magnet just not work properly in watery environment that boat trailers tend get into

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

Just use the 2" receiver hitch and go about your day.

A Weight Distributing Hitch is for RV's, not boats. They use bars sprung to offset tongue weights of 500-1000 lbs. and total weights up to 9000 lbs. You would have to un-spring the bars prior to launching a boat. Take it from a travel trailer owner, they're a big, big hassle. You're just looking for a 350 pound tongue weight on your boat.

As far as trailer brakes, you might look into British Columbia regulations concerning trailer brakes. Down South, some states require trailer brakes @ 3500 lbs. with breakaway prevention. It also depends on the terrain of where your going to carry your boat. If not required by BC and you're not trailering down a 10,000 ft. mountain, screw it. Go with what you have. If you do need brakes on your boat trailer, go with a hydraulic surge brake (not electric brakes) with breakaway protection.

This is unfortunately old and ill advised information.

There are now W/D systems available that are designed specifically for trailer boaters that do not require the release of the spring bars for launching.

Considering the terrain likely to be found in Canada, the best set up for the brakes would be Electric/hydraulic. This system uses an electric actuator that applies hydraulic pressure to the brakes, preferably disc. They actually enhance the braking quality of the tow vehicle.

Surge brakes, although better than none, have a tendency to apply braking pressure when descending long down grades, which can cause over-heating, premature wear and loss of braking action.

If you are buying this boat from a dealer, tell him your preference and work a deal with him on the trailer. At this early in your boating life you would be well advised to not start out by trying to put brakes on a trailer. Just get into the enjoyment of boating before learning about the difficulties.

 

[fibersport]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

I would also suggest brakes. My boat and trailer wiegh in the neighborhood if 3500 pounds, once with my previous trailer I had to brake hard to avoid someone who really wanted my place in the lane, my trailer almost pushed me into the next lane. That fall I found a different trailer with surge disc brakes. I had to replace the coupler and went with the original brand and type. Had I looked a bit more, I would have gone with the electric/hydraulic type instead. As stated above, the surge brakes can apply when going down a long steep grade and you have to have a bypass solenoid in order to back up with disc brakes, drums are free-backing. The electric portion of the coupler is activated by your brake lights, surge brakes depend on the trailer shifting forward to activate the master cylinder like in your car. You will sometimes feel a slight push forward when applying surge brakes, not with the electric. Also, I had read that some states are thinking of or have already outlawed surge brakes for certain trailers, I think it was for commercial drivers or something like that.

As for the hitch, you shoud be fine with the class III, keep your tounge weight about 5-10% of your trailer load as well.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

This is unfortunately old and ill advised information.

There are now W/D systems available that are designed specifically for trailer boaters that do not require the release of the spring bars for launching..

Still doesn't change the fact that a WD hitch it overkill for a 350# tongue weight load... (and that 350# is high. Depending on the trailer and actual weight, it might be safe at half that.)

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Trailer Brakes/Weight Distributing Hitch 18' Bow Rider

Still doesn't change the fact that a WD hitch it overkill for a 350# tongue weight load... (and that 350# is high. Depending on the trailer and actual weight, it might be safe at half that.)

You are correct. I wasn't suggesting that he needed a W/D, just clarifying the availability of one designed for use with a boat trailer. In point of fact, I don't believe that a W/D would even work with a trailer that light.