ANY trailer with brakes, legal rules not withstanding, stop the whole unit quicker. I put a set on a single 3500 lb axel, getting towed daily by a dually flatbed. We stopped at least 5-10' quicker brakes vs no brakes. Trailer tyiclly was around 2500 lbs total. I legally did not need them behind this truck. But my SW 25 series trucks did. In Washington state, legal varies from 1509 up to 4500 lbs if trailer. This is based on registered gvw. Which is bought in 2000 lb increments. Reality, 40% of 10000 lbs gvw is 4000lbs of trailer. So legal with 35 series truck with 12k plates. 25 series with 8k plates is limited to a 3200 lb trailer. So pulling it empty or loaded is illegal.
Read legal requirements in the state(s) you are going to tow something in. MANY type A motorhomes get ticketed because their towed car behind, has a 4500 or more potental gvw, so they have to disconnect and drive car seperate until it has working brakes. Plus a ticket for non functioning brakes, which is a moving violation. That follows your driving record. Unlike an overweight ticket that many on here worry, pice etc about. That is a non moving violation, that does not go on your driving record in most cases.
As I'm finishing thumb typing. IIRC, ant dual+ axel towed type vehicle, needs working brakes on all points of contact with the road, no matter the gvw % requirement.
Marty
