brakes needed on a enclosed trailer with cycle in it?

Laws come in two flavors, One is state vehicle codes, which vary from state to state, Some states trailers as low as 1500 pounds (Possibly less) must have brakes, other states you can hit 2 tons without them.... legally.

Then there is civil law. This comes into play when you accidentally rear end someone.. And if they understand the physics of stopping.. You are WAY better off with brakes on the trailer. Way Way better off.

Grit dog wrote:
Kinda depends how capable your MH brakes are.
The correct answer is not "yes" with no exceptions. Many small trailers like that don't even have brakes.
Under 2500lbs and good disk brakes all around on a MH that is not overloaded is not a problem in my book. After all you have to drive to the abilities of your vehicle and take it into consideration when you hit the road.
BTW, I've towed that trailer prolly 25000 mi across more than a dozen states and Canada. There ain't a cop out there sitting on the side of the road with binoculars looking for your trailer brakes!
I'd say go hook it up, test your braking and comfort level wit the trailer compared to no trailer and make an educated decision.

X2...I've towed thousands of miles with a trailer weighing 2700 lbs and felt comfortable with my vehicles braking capabilities.

Legally, it depends on the state.
Some states require brakes on any trailer that weighs 1500 lbs. or more UNLADEN weight.
Some states require brakes on any trailer that has a GVWR of 3000 lbs. or more.
Some states don't specify, but they have a Braking Performance Law that requires you to be able to stop within a certain distance from a set speed; Often 40 feet from 20 MPH on a clean, dry, level, hard surface.
Some states have BOTH a Performance Law AND a weight limit.
Many states require brakes on ALL wheels of a trailer.
Many states require a breakaway system that will apply the brakes, and hold them applied for at least 15 minutes on any trailer on which brakes are required.
Brake laws usually are not Reciprocal. Just because you comply with the law in your home state does not make you legal in any other state.
Do your research, but do NOT rely on any internet "List of Towing Laws" to ensure you are legal. I have yet to see any such list that is totally accurate!
For instance, the list of laws referenced above says that Montana has:
A 65 MPH towing speed limit. No, that is the truck speed limit. It does not necessarily apply to towing units.
A total length of 75 feet. No, that only applies to truck/trailer/trailer tows, not to truck/trailer.
Brakes required on trailer over 3000 lbs. Well, yes, but that is GROSS weight.

BTW, I noted that there were two problems with the Towing Laws page that @hooligan linked to, one being factual the other being that the PDF version was created without the headers printing to each page. This made it a pain in the kiester to use, so I fixed both, and anyone interested can find my updated PDF here.

Oh, yeah: use this pdf at your own peril, as I make no claims as to accuracy. Reliance on this information is strictly on your own. I am not a lawyer, and hereby offer no legal advice, YMMV, etc. etc. etc.

In case that the trailer happens to un-hitch and the chains brake, it is better if the trailer has brakes to protecct the investment that is inside, most states do not require brakes on a trailer that is 1500 pounds or less, other do.

navegator

Kinda depends how capable your MH brakes are.
The correct answer is not "yes" with no exceptions. Many small trailers like that don't even have brakes.
Under 2500lbs and good disk brakes all around on a MH that is not overloaded is not a problem in my book. After all you have to drive to the abilities of your vehicle and take it into consideration when you hit the road.
BTW, I've towed that trailer prolly 25000 mi across more than a dozen states and Canada. There ain't a cop out there sitting on the side of the road with binoculars looking for your trailer brakes!
I'd say go hook it up, test your braking and comfort level wit the trailer compared to no trailer and make an educated decision.

Thanks for info, after hearing comments,& after reading state laws sent by Hooligan I believe that I need brakes on the trailer.

I pulled a Chariot 1,000 lb fiberglass 8X14'
With bike and all the other things like bike cleaning equipment, spare tire for trailer, spare tire for MH, tools, 6' ladder for MH, etc.
Weight went up to 2,720 lb.

And you will put more then just the bike in it.

I used electric brakes on it when pulled behind a gas MH on a P30 chassis.
But when I went to a DP I didn't want the trouble running lines all the way back. So I ran without brakes.

There was a few times I wished the brakes worked on it. Changed to pulling a 3,300 lb toad and put brakes on it. Was able to stop faster with toad then with bike trailer without brakes.

When that traffic light changes from green to a quick yellow and then red and you are running 45-55 MPH.
You may wish you had brakes on the trailer. Or when that car passes you and cuts in and then hits the brakes. You may wish you had trailer brakes.

And your state may have a minimum weight requirement for brakes.
Also you MH manual usually recommends brakes for any tow over some weight given.

Depends on which states you will pass through.
State towing laws

IMO Yes
In state law, most states, yes.