Are trailer brakes needed?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Erie, PA
Are trailer brakes needed?
I want to tow a 3500# vehicle on a 18' deck tandem axle 7000# rated trailer with my 1990 F250 super cab with a 460. The trailer I want to buy has hydraulic brakes on it but they don't work. My question is this, would it hurt to run it without brakes? Will the truck's brakes alone be sufficient? I do want to get the brakes fixed eventually. Also, since the brakes don't work anyway, would you fix the hydraulics or convert it to electric brakes? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Elk River, MN
If the vehicle is 3500 and the trailer is 2000, your load would be approximately 5500. Your F250 probably weighs in at least 4500, so you would be moving around 10,000#. The brakes on your truck are only rated for the truck GVW which would be maybe 8500. Legally you would be responsible for any accident even if it was not your fault. I would fix the brakes before hauling that kind of load. My preference is for electric trailer brakes and a decent brake controller. Better safe than sorry, or how ever that goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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Almost every state requires trailer brakes if the trailer (including the load) is over 3000 pounds. Some states require trailer brakes at lower weights.
Get the brakes fixed before putting ANYTHING on the trailer. I prefer electric brakes, but I'd look at fixing what's already there. If everything needs replacing I would change it to electric. If it doesn't take a lot to fix, I'd fix what's there.
Get the brakes fixed before putting ANYTHING on the trailer. I prefer electric brakes, but I'd look at fixing what's already there. If everything needs replacing I would change it to electric. If it doesn't take a lot to fix, I'd fix what's there.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Erie, PA
Thanks for the input everybody! I figured it would be better to have them but I was looking for outside input. I haven't purchased the trailer yet, so I guess I'll make an offer taking into consideration the brakes needing fixed. Thanks again!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
One thing to consider is if the brakes do not work it is likely that there are other problems such as bad wheel bearings that would go as soon as you got a load on there and drove a decent distance.
Why the brakes do not work could just be a pin stuck in the coupler or they need to be bled, are low on fluid, or a line got holed from being snagged.
I think taking the whole thing apart and making it right is the only way to go. Myself, for a car trailer I would go with electric.
I know from using tow dollies without brakes that having a load going down hill and hitting the brakes hard is not a good thing. The trailer either starts to jack knife or just keeps pushing after it slams into the ball. That is with light cars like a Taurus in tow.
Your trailer probably weighes in at 2300 pounds (1/3 of 7k), plus the 3500 pound vehicle means 5800 pounds pushing you while trying to stop going downhill. If you are approaching a curve it could get ugly fast.
Why the brakes do not work could just be a pin stuck in the coupler or they need to be bled, are low on fluid, or a line got holed from being snagged.
I think taking the whole thing apart and making it right is the only way to go. Myself, for a car trailer I would go with electric.
I know from using tow dollies without brakes that having a load going down hill and hitting the brakes hard is not a good thing. The trailer either starts to jack knife or just keeps pushing after it slams into the ball. That is with light cars like a Taurus in tow.
Your trailer probably weighes in at 2300 pounds (1/3 of 7k), plus the 3500 pound vehicle means 5800 pounds pushing you while trying to stop going downhill. If you are approaching a curve it could get ugly fast.
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New User
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From: Erie, PA
Originally Posted by rebocardo
I know from using tow dollies without brakes
Last edited by SLAB; Mar 24, 2005 at 01:33 PM.
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Posting Legend
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From: Where Critters Are Free
Originally Posted by SLAB
I want to tow a 3500# vehicle on a 18' deck tandem axle 7000# rated trailer with my 1990 F250 super cab with a 460. The trailer I want to buy has hydraulic brakes on it but they don't work. My question is this, would it hurt to run it without brakes? Will the truck's brakes alone be sufficient? I do want to get the brakes fixed eventually. Also, since the brakes don't work anyway, would you fix the hydraulics or convert it to electric brakes? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
My self I would not pull a trailer with out electric brakes.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Wickenburg, AZ
If you do go with Electric Brakes, I Recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy as your controller. If your truck has the Trailer Towing Package, you might have the ability to buy a plug-in harness under the center of the dash and have the whole thing up pretty quick. I'm not sure if they had this kind of thing yet in 1990 though.
You definitely need brakes for that size of trailer. I like electric because you can actuate the brakes manually from inside the cab should something go wrong during a tow. If you keep the surge brakes, do yourself a favor and make sure that it has something to lock out the brakes when you shift to reverse. Otherwise you'll have to put a pin through it whenever you back up with any amount of force.
You definitely need brakes for that size of trailer. I like electric because you can actuate the brakes manually from inside the cab should something go wrong during a tow. If you keep the surge brakes, do yourself a favor and make sure that it has something to lock out the brakes when you shift to reverse. Otherwise you'll have to put a pin through it whenever you back up with any amount of force.
Elder User
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From: northern,california
I once towed a 30 foot sailboat 2000 miles behind my f250. The brakes on the trailer quit woorking halfway through the trip. I put new brakes and a clutch on the truck before I left for the trip. By the end of the trip I had to use granny gear to help me stop. I was young and foolish, but somehow I made it alive.
GET BRAKES ON YOUR TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GET BRAKES ON YOUR TRAILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by tazo; Mar 25, 2005 at 12:47 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by SLAB
I want to tow a 3500# vehicle on a 18' deck tandem axle 7000# rated trailer with my 1990 F250 super cab with a 460. The trailer I want to buy has hydraulic brakes on it but they don't work. My question is this, would it hurt to run it without brakes? Will the truck's brakes alone be sufficient? I do want to get the brakes fixed eventually. Also, since the brakes don't work anyway, would you fix the hydraulics or convert it to electric brakes? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
The truck can handle the chore if the driver can. This is not an indorsement for no brakes, just an answer to the question.
John
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Erie, PA
Time isn't the issue with fixing the brakes right away. Money is. I'm guessing, if it's not something simple, I'll have another 2-3 hundred in making them work as hydraulic. I would rather have electric brakes, but, your talking more money to convert it I'm sure. I do like the idea of being able to control them manually from the truck. Plus, the truck is already setup for electric brakes anyway.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
While I don't recommend it, I have pulled without brakes, but you have to stay sharp and know that you won't be stopping as good as you may need, so be prepared to deal with what comes. I don't have mountains or such to deal with, so it can be done relatively safely around here, and the traffic isn't as heavy. I prefer having working trailer brakes, but life isn't always ideal.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
SLAB, I am reading you have not tried to fix the brakes. It could be something as simple as low brake fluid. I think I would at least try to fix it, might only cost $3.95.
John
John
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Response to Jowilker..
"The truck can handle the chore if the driver can. This is not an indorsement for no brakes, just an answer to the question. "
If he was the only vehicle on the road, maybe yes. I never question my own driving ability, it's others that scare me, they are the ones that make mistakes.
FIX the brakes!
"The truck can handle the chore if the driver can. This is not an indorsement for no brakes, just an answer to the question. "
If he was the only vehicle on the road, maybe yes. I never question my own driving ability, it's others that scare me, they are the ones that make mistakes.
FIX the brakes!