Trailer brakes

[kimscrim]

I hope someone can help. My husband and I just bought a 1986 16' four winns w/inboard motor, not quite sure of the weight with trailer and everything. I'm thinking around 3000, husbands guessing around 3500? Anyone know? Also, we will be towing this with a 1998 blazer 4.3L. My question is, is this even feasible? I'm worried that this boat is just too big for the blazer. Also, the trailor does not have brakes on it. Where would i go to get brakes put on trailor? marina or mechanic? Also, anyone have an idea about how much that will run us? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much in advance!Kim

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: Trailer brakes

fourwinns.com has specs on past boat models. Not sure if they go back to 86, but it would be worth a look.

champion trailers out of slidell La. is where I keep hearing about for trailer brakes. I'm pretty much in the same boat (no pun), but I need brakes for my trailer as well, and will probably get a set from them the next time I head to N.O.

I think 5-600, for 6 bolt 15 inch single axle trailer. That would be for a disc brake set-up. That is what my trailer set up is.

That blazer should do fine, but brakes would be a necessity.

My 190 horizon with 5.0 IO is about 2600 pounds and trailer is about 650. Almost every state requires brakes on weights above 3000. There is a sticky on requirements.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: Trailer brakes

Here is a link to four winns past models spec sheets.

Link

They go back to 88. It looks like a 1988 Freedom 160 I/O weighs close to a couple thousand pounds.


Here is a link to Champion trailers

LINK

From all I've read about them, they seem to be pretty good.

 

[lombard]

Re: Trailer brakes

Can't help you with the trailer brakes, as I'm planning to re-do mine myself.

But I tow my 1995 18' Sea Ray with the 4.3 I/O with my 2000 2dr 4x4 Blazer with no problems. I can definitely tell the boat's back there, but a little bit of defensive driving goes a long way. I'll also be happier when I get my brakes working properly. The Blazer does a fine job with no functional trailer brakes though (for my 5 mile round trip to the landing).

PS Typically the blazers are rated for ~5000lb

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer brakes

I towed a 20' boat with a 2000 Blazer once...I never did it again because I didn't feel it was safe but my boat was heavier than yours. You definitely are going to want brakes on your trailer.

 

[security6]

Re: Trailer brakes

Your Blazer will be fine pulling the boat, but you'll want trailer brakes if you are going to be driving faster than 35 mph or so.

I had a 99 Blazer 4-door with the same 4.3 liter motor. I had to tow a Chevy Corsica car behind it once. I used a tow-dolly (750 lbs) with no brakes, and the Corsica weights about 3000 lbs - so about the same weight you are looking at. I had ample power to get up to speed and the Blazer ran along just fine, but it was a little scary when it came time to stop.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Trailer brakes

Boat that small should be under 3k ready to go. Your blazer will pull it no problems, but as mentioned brakes are the weak link on that vehicle.

Before we get too far guessing the cost to install brakes on the trailer, you need to have a peek behind a wheel (no need to remove the wheel, just stick your head down there and look), is there a square flange with a hole at each corner?

If yes, then all you need are the brakes.
If no, then you will need to replace the axle before you can install brakes.

 

[brick75]

Re: Trailer brakes

I assume you have the 160 Freedom model which is rated at 1,900 lbs. Probably add another 1,000 for the trailer, and you're close to 3,000. I pulled a similar weight (17.5 ft Reinell) with no brakes on the trailer with a V6 Tacoma and had no issues at all. Having brakes definitely helps, but you shouldn't have any problems pulling this with a blazer as long as you're careful and anticipate your stops. Keep the rest of your load in mind too though. The more people and gear you have along will add to the risk.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Trailer brakes

One other thing to keep in mind is hopefully the current axle has the flanges already on it to bolt the brake hardware to. Most do but not all and if it were designed NOT to have brakes it may not have them. Anyone you take it to could tell you exactly what you are going to need. If you had a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck I would say you would be fine without the trailer brakes but with your current tow vehicle it sounds like a good idea to have them. I agree that hydrolic discs are the way to go, but I have heard some real good things about the newer electrics if you don't boat in salt water. They are much easier to control braking.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trailer brakes

Probably add another 1,000 for the trailer

I think a single axle trailer for 16' boat will weigh a lot less than 1000#.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Trailer brakes

Well I've towed a much bigger FW (20' H-200) both without and with trailer brakes with a similar vehicle (98 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and the trailer brakes made a HUGE difference in safety. Even though the FW 160 may not weigh more than 2500-3000 the Blazer probably weighs in at about 4000 or so...the boat close to 3000...and I can guarantee the Blazers brakes were not mean to stop close to 7000 lbs (just look at what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is...usually on a sticker on the driver's door) that's a good guide as to what the vehicle itself can stop...For my old Jeep is around 4000+1140 cargo so a little over 5000 lbs...thats why most SUV builders rec trailer brakes for any trailer over 1000 lbs...and that assumes NO load in the tow vehicle...

So look at the axle...if it has flanges fine then you can put on a set of surge 10" drums or discs...if you are in freshwater the galvanized drums will work fine...discs are the hot set up now but they can have problems too...
I put a set of surge drums on the trailer for my old 88 H-200 and it made a huge difference...the little 11" disc brakes on my 98 Jeep were not meant to stop over 8000 lbs for sure!
My 07 Jeep has much better brakes but still I'd always have brakes on any boat trailer...

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Trailer brakes

I tow my Wellcraft Classic 170 with my Ford Ranger. (brakes are a weak spot here too). I installed electric drum brakes a few months ago, so far so good, as I'm freshwater only. I think it cost me $400 or so for the brake/backing plate assy, drums, brake controller, breakaway box, and wiring. I'm an ASE Master Auto tech, so I did the install myself saving some money.

The brakes made a HUGE difference in towing. Even if you anticipate YOUR stops, there is still no telling what the idiot pulling out from a side street, or driving in front of you will do, and trailer brakes can make all the difference in the world especially if the tow vehicle has marginal brakes like my Ranger.

But like some of the other guys said, look behind the hub of the wheel for the flange with 4 bolt holes on it to see if your trailer axle will accept the backing plates.

 

[jmfrost]

Re: Trailer brakes

Please forgive me if someone's already stated this, since I didn't take the time to read all the responses. 3K lbs + I think would be a bit on the high side. Our 21.5' bow rider is around 4k lbs. with trailer and gear. That being said, our boat is 100% wood free, so maybe wood adds more weight, but I think you'll be fine (with brakes). Have you weighed in on a truck scale yet?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Trailer brakes

I think a single axle trailer for 16' boat will weigh a lot less than 1000#.

I just purchased a single axle for a 19' boat.

With brakes, 661 pounds.... 630 without them.

 

[trejac]

Re: Trailer brakes

We had a 1998 Blazer one time, we went thr two trans pulling a small horse trailer. The motor would handle the weight but the trans was the weak link. Personally, I would not pull anything with any amount of weight in one. Also, someone else said it but the blazer is a short wheel base and high off the ground, you are going to notice a very bad reaction if ride over any low dips.