does 1985 nomad trailer have brakes?
if so, how do i check? does it brake when tow vehicle brakes?
Forum Discussion
"Yes if the trailer is over 1,500 pounds or especially if it has two axles, it will have electric brakes."
Not necessarily. It depends on the state. Some state say a trailer must have brakes if it weighs 1500 lbs. or more, UNLADEN. Some states say that a trailer must have brakes if it has a GVWR of 3000 lbs. or more.
Many such trailers have surge brakes, not electric brakes.
I once had a tandem axle boat trailer that did not have brakes. Since the trailer and boat weighed less than 3000 lbs. brakes were not required.
The best (IMO) brake controller way back when (1970-1980+) was a Kelsey/Hayes hydraulic unit. A tee was installed in the brake line at the master cylinder, and a brake line ran through the firewall to the controller on the dash. It worked GREAT!! Sadly, it would not work on the new sophisticated braking systems.
Now, to the OP's questions. Yes, your trailer should have brakes. The easiest way to tell is to see if there are backing plates and brake drums behind the wheels. you can remove the wheels and look, or you can get under the trailer and look. Of course, just because they are there does not mean they work. Testing with a compass has already been described. Quite often, one can also hear a definite CLICK when the brakes are applied if one is right beside the wheel listening closely.
One thing that a trailer that old quite possibly may NOT have is a breakaway switch. Kits to install the switch are readily available from Ratco, 6 Robblees, U-Haul, and other trailer supply houses.
Not necessarily. It depends on the state. Some state say a trailer must have brakes if it weighs 1500 lbs. or more, UNLADEN. Some states say that a trailer must have brakes if it has a GVWR of 3000 lbs. or more.
Many such trailers have surge brakes, not electric brakes.
I once had a tandem axle boat trailer that did not have brakes. Since the trailer and boat weighed less than 3000 lbs. brakes were not required.
The best (IMO) brake controller way back when (1970-1980+) was a Kelsey/Hayes hydraulic unit. A tee was installed in the brake line at the master cylinder, and a brake line ran through the firewall to the controller on the dash. It worked GREAT!! Sadly, it would not work on the new sophisticated braking systems.
Now, to the OP's questions. Yes, your trailer should have brakes. The easiest way to tell is to see if there are backing plates and brake drums behind the wheels. you can remove the wheels and look, or you can get under the trailer and look. Of course, just because they are there does not mean they work. Testing with a compass has already been described. Quite often, one can also hear a definite CLICK when the brakes are applied if one is right beside the wheel listening closely.
One thing that a trailer that old quite possibly may NOT have is a breakaway switch. Kits to install the switch are readily available from Ratco, 6 Robblees, U-Haul, and other trailer supply houses.
