Are trailer brakes needed?

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Apr 12, 2005 | 10:19 PM

#16

snotwilim

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Joined: Apr 2005

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I'm sure that when you encounter your first "wag the dog" situation, you'll appreciate trailer brakes. Plus, if the trailer gets to wobbling or moving in a crosswind, a tap on the brakes can help avert disaster.

May 14, 2005 | 10:45 PM

#17

snotwilim

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Joined: Apr 2005

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Fixing trailer brakes or buying one with them already installed is probably worlds cheaper than getting your a*s sued off by an ambulance chaser after a big wreck.

May 16, 2005 | 08:06 AM

#18

pinesman

Cross-Country

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 69

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If you ever have a trailer tire blow out on a trailer without brakes, you will never pull a trailer without brakes again. Been there, done that!

May 20, 2005 | 05:43 PM

#19

jpeckinp

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Joined: Jan 2005

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Ok I have a question to add to this. Say the trailer was a U-haul car trailer so you are looking at 6k loaded, but the u-haul traliers don't have active brakes, so wouldn't this be just like having no brakes? My understanding is the brakes on a U-haul trailer only activate if the trailer breaks loose is this wrong?

May 20, 2005 | 08:33 PM

#20

believer45

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Cincinnati, Ohio

U-haul brakes are surge brakes. They are activated by how hard the trailer pushes forward on the tow vehicle. They do not have a breakaway provision that I know of, I have not pulled a U-haul in some time though. I think there is only one state that would not require brakes on a trailer with a GVWR over 5000 lbs so U-haul could not rent without brakes on their larger trailers. Most states require brakes on trailers over 2 or 3 thousand lbs, some even less.

Dave / Believer45

May 20, 2005 | 08:45 PM

#21

SoCalDesertRider

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Joined: Dec 2002

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From: USA

Dave is right. And I don't remember there being a break-away brake on the U-Hauls I have rented in the past either. The truck must initiate the stopping and then the trailer brakes kick in. There is no feature for applying the trailer brakes independently of the truck brakes, unlike electric trailer brakes. The surge brakes do work alright though

May 20, 2005 | 09:38 PM

#22

jpeckinp

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Joined: Jan 2005

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalDesertRider

Yeah I went on the U-haul site and they have updated the site to say that they have automatic hydraulic brakes now. So they are active all the time. I rented a car trailer about 6 years ago from them and I don't remember a hydraulic box on it for some reason but I do remember the guy explaining the brakes will activate if a 3rd chain was yanked on, it had two safety chains and a brake chain.