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Trailer Brakes Necessary?
#12278197
06/04/17 07:07 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66
PurpleFrogger
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66 |
Do you have to use trailer brakes?
I ask because I had one seize up on me yesterday and would only roll backwards. I was able to get help. The guy removed the brake in question and saved my fishing day and kept me from being stuck!
I have a full size truck and I am only towing a 19 foot aluminum bass boat. It didn't seem any different afterwards and I think the trailer is too light to have to be inspected, BUT I wonder if this would be harder on my truck in the long term if it was my normal set up.
Also, how much credit can I give the guys who saved me? They operate a local business and deserve a good reputation, but I don't want to upset the forum.
Thanks!
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278250
06/04/17 07:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 214
thirtysixit
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 214 |
Nothing wrong with giving credit where it's due! I don't have a problem with knowing where to take my business. Let us know!
Anyway, I've got my trailer brakes disabled. I drive a F150 and tow an 18ft fiberglass Stratos. It hasn't caused me any issues over the last 50k miles. Just my 2 cents.
"Show me a man who will jump out of an airplane, and I'll show you a man who'll fight." - Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278274
06/04/17 08:09 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
Trailer brakes have kept me from rear ending someone on Hwy. 276 several times. These were dip$[censored] who never signal and realize they almost missed their turn so they slam on their brakes at the last minute. Also help going down steep hills like you see around Possum Kingdom Lake. I think they help over time save wear and tear on my truck brakes but not absolutely necessary.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed. Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278281
06/04/17 08:19 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 39,996
WAWI
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 39,996 |
I pull a 520 ranger with absolutely zero brake fluid. No problems stopping at all with tundra. Trailer brakes are a total pita. Last boat removed them and had actuator welded. This one I won't cause of trailer inspection, I'll just add fluid back when time comes. I do this because they get stuck and burn up hubs, quickly.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278327
06/04/17 09:07 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,184
Rayzor
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,184 |
JMO - not if your pulling a 19' aluminum boat. A 20' and up fiberglass boat, yes.
Be safe, Rayzor 2001 Triton Tx-21/225 Mercury EFI
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: Rayzor]
#12278332
06/04/17 09:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,710
Chet
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,710 |
JMO - not if your pulling a 19' aluminum boat. A 20' and up fiberglass boat, yes. This, but a real emergency stop may make you wish you had them.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278389
06/04/17 10:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,994
lakeforkfisherman
Elliptical Mechanic
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Elliptical Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,994 |
I've towed my 20' Gambler for 4 years without trailer brakes and no issues. There have been a couple of cheek clinching scenarios, but my truck has always stopped her. I've pulled to Table Rock and back 3 times and the mountains were no problem.
LET’S GO BRANDON!!!
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278463
06/04/17 11:23 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66
PurpleFrogger
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66 |
Thanks for the input guys, it really helps! I hate to miss a chance to be on the water and fish and your information helps me to keep fishing!
The two guys who helped me were John and Lysle from the Western Auto in Whitney at Hwy 22 and 933. I will make it a point to get what I need from them in the future, PLUS THEY TALK FISHING! GREAT GUYS!!! Stopped what they were doing to help me!
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278614
06/05/17 01:33 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 377
buggsboy
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 377 |
It depends on the size of your tow vehicle and the size of your boat. In fact, a 18' 8" Nitro Z7 with a single axle trailer may or may not come with trailer brakes. The brakes are optional on the single axle trailer. My friend that I fish with a lot has a 18' 6" Ranger boat with a single axle trailer, and it didn"t come with brakes. We both tow with full sized half ton trucks (me Tundra him with GMC) with no problems. That being said, I wouldn't be comfortable towing a 20 ft boat without brakes.
PB. 10 lb 12 oz
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278752
06/05/17 03:22 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
19' aluminum, I'd think you'd be ok without them but they are nice when you really need them.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278793
06/05/17 03:59 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,334
Hog Jaw
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,334 |
Nope , do not need them , at least I don't.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278854
06/05/17 06:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 414
Bruce Bullard
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 414 |
It depends on where you are and more importantly the drivers around you. Find an isolated road and test your stopping distance, with and without boat, if it doesn't change too much then you and those with and around you, can live without trailer brakes.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12278903
06/05/17 11:36 AM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,112
slim1
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,112 |
I don't know if it is still a law but at one time if your trailer and load weighed 1/2 as much as your vehicle you had to have brakes.
PATRIOT GUARD RIDER Riding With Respect Flag Captain
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12279039
06/05/17 01:29 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 62
ROT Angler
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 62 |
Your boat may be light enough to not be an issue under normal conditions. The problem with trailers without brakes comes when you have to make a hard stop to avoid an accident. The tow vehicle may stop ok but the trailer will keep on coming either pushing the tow vehicle so stopping distance is longer, or the trailer may try to pass you and jackknife.
With good working trailer brakes everything will stop in a straight line. You can add a brake controller to your tow vehicle and electric brakes to your trailer pretty cheap. Texas does not require trailer brakes for a trailer with less than 4,500 pounds gross weight, but other states have different requirements so if you plan to fish out of state you need to check their requirements.
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Re: Trailer Brakes Necessary?
[Re: PurpleFrogger]
#12279072
06/05/17 01:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
I insist on electric brakes on both axles on all trailers I own. Saved my butt more than once.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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