Should my trailer have brakes on both axles?

Rdrett said:

Hello,
My question is since I am not required by Kentucky state law to equip my trailer with brakes should I or should I not?

I have towed big heavy trailers all up and down these Kentucky mountains without brakes over the past 20 years and I have never had a problem before.

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First I'd like to say that trailer brakes are kind of like seat belts. I bet you wouldn't say, "Why should I use a seat belt? I have been driving for 20 years without one and I have never had a problem before." You may be the most careful easy going driver out there but you cannot control the dumba$$ that pulls out in front of you.

OK, off my lecture box....lol

Federal law says that any vehicle and trailer combination that exceeds 10,000 gvw (That is towing vehicle gvw plus trailer gvw) is required to have trailer brakes. Your E-350 probably has a GVW of 7-8,000 lbs by itself. Most States have more restrictive laws than that (

My opinion is put the brakes on. If you can't afford the controller now then put the axles that have brakes on the trailer and get the controller as soon as you can. I personally would never tow 7000 lbs down the road without brakes.

Okay, back up on the lecture box...I don't mean to sound like a D%$k here but this is not only your safety we are talking about. I owned a towing company for 20 years and I cannot count the number accidents I had to clean up after because people were towing trailers unsafely. Knowing how to load a trailer, tow it properly, and be able to stop it safely are big deals. If you don't do it safely you can kill other people.

First I'd like to say that trailer brakes are kind of like seat belts. I bet you wouldn't say, "Why should I use a seat belt? I have been driving for 20 years without one and I have never had a problem before." You may be the most careful easy going driver out there but you cannot control the dumba$$ that pulls out in front of you.OK, off my lecture box....lolFederal law says that any vehicle and trailer combination that exceeds 10,000 gvw (That is towing vehicle gvw plus trailer gvw) is required to have trailer brakes. Your E-350 probably has a GVW of 7-8,000 lbs by itself. Most States have more restrictive laws than that ( http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/ ) You happen to live in a State that lets Darwinian Law dictate trailer brake usage so it's really up to you.My opinion is put the brakes on. If you can't afford the controller now then put the axles that have brakes on the trailer and get the controller as soon as you can. I personally would never tow 7000 lbs down the road without brakes.Okay, back up on the lecture box...I don't mean to sound like a D%$k here but this is not only your safety we are talking about. I owned a towing company for 20 years and I cannot count the number accidents I had to clean up after because people were towing trailers unsafely. Knowing how to load a trailer, tow it properly, and be able to stop it safely are big deals. If you don't do it safely you can kill other people.

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Cruzomatic said:

Texas just states brakes are required on trailers weighing 4500#. Doesn't say anything about dual sets on dual axles though.

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Not exactly what the law says - and the law is an odd one - they actually call out brakes for the rear axle specifically. Normally if you only had brakes on one axle they would be in the front.

? 547.402. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAKES. (a)
Required brakes shall operate on each wheel of a vehicle except: (1) special mobile equipment;
(2) a vehicle that is towed as a commodity when at
least one set of the towed vehicle's wheels is on the roadway, if
the combination of vehicles complies with the performance
requirements of this chapter; and
(3) a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer with a
gross weight heavier than 4,500 pounds but not heavier than 15,000
pounds drawn at a speed of more than 30 miles per hour, if the brakes
operate on both wheels of the rear axle. (b) A truck or truck-tractor that has at least three axles
is not required to have brakes on the front wheels, but must have
brakes that:
(1) operate on the wheels of one steerable axle if the
vehicle is equipped with at least two steerable axles; and
(2) comply with the performance requirements of this
chapter.
(c) A trailer or semitrailer that has a gross weight of
15,000 pounds or less may use surge or inertia brake systems to
satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a).
(d) Brakes shall be maintained in good working order and
adjusted to operate on wheels on each side of the vehicle as equally
as practicable.

http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/547.402.00.html

Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?Not exactly what the law says - and the law is an odd one - they actually call out brakes for the rear axle specifically. Normally if you only had brakes on one axle they would be in the front.? 547.402. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BRAKES. (a)(1) special mobile equipment;(2) a vehicle that is towed as a commodity when atleast one set of the towed vehicle's wheels is on the roadway, ifthe combination of vehicles complies with the performancerequirements of this chapter; and(b) A truck or truck-tractor that has at least three axlesis not required to have brakes on the front wheels, but must havebrakes that:(1) operate on the wheels of one steerable axle if thevehicle is equipped with at least two steerable axles; and(2) comply with the performance requirements of thischapter.(c) A trailer or semitrailer that has a gross weight of15,000 pounds or less may use surge or inertia brake systems tosatisfy the requirements of Subsection (a).(d) Brakes shall be maintained in good working order andadjusted to operate on wheels on each side of the vehicle as equallyas practicable.

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