For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Cruzomatic

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
78
I can't decide whether I want or need to add brakes to my second (front) axle on my tandem axle trailer. I have a 2009 Chap 236SSI. I'm guessing the total weight it about 6000K or so.

Your thoughts please?

What do you all have?
 

67GTA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
32
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

1979 Cobalt 19' Bow Rider. Weight of the boat is around 3000 lbs. Tandem axle with drums on 1 axle only. I don't know at what weight you go from single axle brakes to two axle brakes. I'm sure some others will chime in with some advise.
 

BRICH1260

Lieutenant
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Jul 6, 2011
Messages
1,381
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I have them now on just one axle, the front, which is where the manufacturer put them. I am in the process of pricing a second set and expect that within the next couple of weeks to have them installed on the rear. My boat is about the same size as yours, I think i want the extra security that they should bring with all the idiot drivers out there. I figure about $300 should do it.
 

rallyart

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 7, 2008
Messages
1,186
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

My tandem axle trailer has brakes on the front axle only. If I hit some gravel or rough pavement when braking its' easy to lock up a wheel. I would much prefer both axles to have brakes. There would be four tires slowing down instead of two. Seems like a much better plan.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,588
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

My trailer for my boat in my signature came with brakes on one axle. I added brakes to the second axle. There was no way that one axle was able to stop 6000 plus lbs. In many states, the set up I had would not even be legal.
 

Thalasso

Commander
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
2,879
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I can't decide whether I want or need to add brakes to my second (front) axle on my tandem axle trailer. I have a 2009 Chap 236SSI. I'm guessing the total weight it about 6000K or so.

Your thoughts please?

What do you all have?

Would i have brakes on two axels for that load? Yes. Is it required in Texas? Not sure. I do think it requires inspection there from what i remember. It is the same type of insp. as a motorcycle. Anything over 4500# gross weight needs insp. ( gross weight on trailer Manf. Plate)
 

burp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
363
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Brakes are usually only on the front axle of tandem axle trailers. I'm towing 7800lbs total and ordered the trailer with brakes on both axles. When braking hard, I have never felt that the trailer was pushing the tow vehicle as the trailer brakes work quite well.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Check the laws in your state, some states like MN require them on all axles.
 

Cruzomatic

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
78
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

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

oldjeep

Admiral
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May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

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

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
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

It doesn't matter what the law is--- Same reason I wore seat belts before it was mandatory----Look at it this way: Early cars had only rear brakes. Early Indy racers had only rear brakes. They quickly found that 4 wheel brakes were way better and worth the investment. No autos manufactured today have only two wheel brakes.

You have two axles. Why not invest the extra couple of hundred for brakes on all four wheels? It certainly can not hurt and the investment is only a couple of tanks of gas which you probably burn in one weekend. There: it doesn't look so expensive when compared that way, does it?

AND: The one accident I had that totaled a VW, ripped out three sections of guard rail, and clipped off a 6 inch tree--- The seat belt and shoulder belt MORE than paid for all those years I wore them and never needed them.
 

mikeneal

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 28, 2004
Messages
710
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I have a 20' bow rider and added second set to trailer. ( I think that's the law in Fla too). Money well spent, stops way better in panic situations.
 

oregoncruiser

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
180
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I'm guessing the total weight it about 6000K or so.

If my boat weighed 6000K, I'd want at least 2 brake axles, LOL!! Sorry, couldn't resist.

I would probably factor in what my tow vehicle is. If I was towing with an F550, I wouldn't bother, if I was towing with an F150, I would probably add the 2nd brake axle. What are you towing with??
 

FunInDuhSun

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2010
Messages
488
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Cruz, IMO that much weight should be handled by brakes on both axles ESPECIALLY if the terrain you drive has any hills.
 

Cruzomatic

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2005
Messages
78
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I'm towing with an '07 F150 4x4
 

04fxdwgi

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 10, 2011
Messages
754
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Brakes are usually only on the front axle of tandem axle trailers. I'm towing 7800lbs total and ordered the trailer with brakes on both axles. When braking hard, I have never felt that the trailer was pushing the tow vehicle as the trailer brakes work quite well.

Actually, some of the trailer manufacturers suggest the brakes be on the rear axle, if only braking one axle.

I just converted from nasty 20 year old surge drums on the rear axle of my Eagle trailer to surge Kodiak discs on both axles and the difference in stopping my 2550 SX is like nite and day. I consider it money well spent, indeed. To convert to disc on one axle wasn't much more than a complete rebuild on the drums / backing plates on that one axle and a new MC.

Now for that electric over hydraulic unit... Hmmmmmm (maybe next year)
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,320
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

I have single axle (front) disc brakes on a #5500 trailer and the truck has 4-wheel disc. Stopping is not a problem. I have considered adding the back brakes but just cannot get myself to pull the trigger on a set of Kodaik Stainless disc. Other wise I'd be replacing them on a regular basis do to SW corrosion.
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

My new Starcraft Islander 221 came with a tandem axle EZloader with brakes on one axle. I figure its about 5-6K loaded up.
I tow this with my F350 and I have zero concern about needing more brakes.
My car hauler has brakes on both axles. I believe its the law up here for axles over 6k.
 

dan t.

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
1,137
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

Here in B.C. its the law,all axles must have brakes, good thing too considering some of the hills and corners we have.
 

Momsboat

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
25
Re: For those of you with tandem axle trailers. Have brakes on one axle or both?

i have an Sea Ray 20 foot open bow; boat wt is about 2500 loaded, with trailer is about 3500. i have tandom breaks front and back that are activated by an hydrolic slide on the toung that attaches to my ball. - it works great and i pull it with a Tahoe. very little effort to stop my truck which means lees break wate on the Tahoe.
 
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