aint got no breaks

[jeffw0037]

Just bought my first boat a month ago (ya excited) anyway this boat is 2500lbs dry 18ft came it tandem axle trailer both are 1972 models (exceptionaly clean for age boat and trailer) but trailer does not have any breaks. pullin it with my 05 chevy 2500hd. Do you think it would be cheaper to put surge breaks on it or electric or do boat trailers usually not come with breaks?. I keep it at the lake and only have to pull it a couple miles to put it in the water but i'm thinking about steep and slick boat ramps, what you all think? i'm sure back then electric breaks were not even availiable.

 

[rcracerx]

Re: aint got no breaks

I think alot of it depends upon your state laws & your tow vehicle. I know in my state anything over 3500lbs requires brakes. Since your tow vehicle is a 3/4 ton and your boat only weighs 2500lbs I would think you are fine. That is assuming the boat is actually 2500lbs, you need to get to a scale and have it weighed.

Rc

 

[jeffw0037]

Re: aint got no breaks

The manual says it's 2500 lbs and i wouldn't think the trailer would weigh over 500-600lbs just guessing by looking at it.

 

[rcracerx]

Re: aint got no breaks

The manual says it's 2500 lbs and i wouldn't think the trailer would weigh over 500-600lbs just guessing by looking at it.

Well that puts you at 3100 and you have not loaded any gear in it yet. Does the 2500lbs include batteries? Electronics? Coolers? Ice? Drinks? Fishing Gear? How about the motor? What about gas, what size tank do you have? 8lbs per gallon for the fuel alone. Is the motor included in the 2500lbs? I do not know the answers to the questions just asking, I think you should hit the scales.

Rc

 

[fortyfreak9]

Re: aint got no breaks

Why don't you load the boat up, maybe besides the fuel, and give it a tow and see how it does, if it's questionable I'd look into getting breaks but if you get the feel for it and are comfortable with towing it then you might be good to go.

 

[boat1010]

Re: aint got no breaks

If your main concern is the boat ramps then surge breaks will not do ya any good. I have never had electric brakes on a boat trailer but would think you would unhook them before going in the water.(maybe not) but like the others have said. 1. load it up and weigh it. 2. Load it up and test drive it. 3. look at local laws and see if they are required. Have a great day!!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: aint got no breaks

Well that puts you at 3100 and you have not loaded any gear in it yet. Does the 2500lbs include batteries? Electronics? Coolers? Ice? Drinks? Fishing Gear? How about the motor? What about gas, what size tank do you have? 8lbs per gallon for the fuel alone. Is the motor included in the 2500lbs? I do not know the answers to the questions just asking, I think you should hit the scales.

Gasoline weighs 6 lbs/gal. I honestly think he's fine without the brakes. It's a 3/4 ton truck well suited for towing and it's a pretty short distance. He could do it if he really wants piece of mind, but it's still a relatively low-weight to tow. We have no brakes on our tandem-axle trailer with a 3700lbs boat which both were made in the mid70's beofre the state rule on brakes and trailer weight. We have towed this without incident hundreds of times on 1-2 hours trips in hilly areas with a 1/2 ton. I bet even with a cooler and boat load of gas and fishing tackle, he doesn't break 3,500.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: aint got no breaks

For once, I'd agree that you likely don't need brakes.

Check your state laws and stuff, but you've got a good towing rig that should ba able to handle it for short runs.

I've got an 01 version with the Duramax and tow 2,000 pounds (910 kg loaded at the scale) with no brakes and I don't even think about it.

 

[jeffw0037]

Re: aint got no breaks

Thanks for the posts. I have pulled this boat a few times and don't really know it's back there till i go up a hill or have to try to stop quick, just wanted to know if any of you all had breaks on your trailers since i noticed mine did not have them, it's no big deal to put heavy duty breaks on my truck my main concern was backing down a steep wet boat ramp, was not sure if railer breaks were common or not for boat trailers.

 

[rcracerx]

Re: aint got no breaks

Gasoline weighs 6 lbs/gal. I honestly think he's fine without the brakes. It's a 3/4 ton truck well suited for towing and it's a pretty short distance. He could do it if he really wants piece of mind, but it's still a relatively low-weight to tow. We have no brakes on our tandem-axle trailer with a 3700lbs boat which both were made in the mid70's beofre the state rule on brakes and trailer weight. We have towed this without incident hundreds of times on 1-2 hours trips in hilly areas with a 1/2 ton. I bet even with a cooler and boat load of gas and fishing tackle, he doesn't break 3,500.

Your right my bad water is 8lbs per gallon.

I do agree with the others your truck is more then capable of towing it without trailer brakes. I tow a similar size boat with my V-10 Excursion it does not have brakes either. But to keep yourself out of trouble with the law you should get it weighed.

Rc

 

[89vip]

Re: aint got no breaks

I tow a 17ft boat with a 1/2 truck. No brakes on trailer are needed. It will sepend on your state law but you do not need them.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: aint got no breaks

Trailer brakes don't actuate well if at all going downhill backwards. Surge or electric.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: aint got no breaks

my boat and trailer is 3400 lbs n no brakes...i pull it with a 1/2 ton dodge with 4 wheel discs and never thought twice about it...i only go about 70 miles each way with it though. i think youll be fine with it. 2500s have some pretty big brakes...upsized calipers, rotors, pads, etc.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: aint got no breaks

Most surge brakes don't work at all in reverse, they either use a solenoid to block brake action triggered by your back up lamp circuit, or the brake shoes will be of a design which releases in reverse.

Electric brakes do not like being submerged. Not a good choice on a boat trailer.
Especially if used in saltwater.

I'd not worry much about brakes unless you really feel unsafe while pulling it. It would probably be easier to just find another trailer with brakes then to add them in most cases. Probably a lot cheaper too.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: aint got no breaks

I would not worry about brakes with the vehicle you are towing with. If you were trying to tow with a small car then first I would ask why then ask if you have trailer brakes.