Forum Discussion

Guysakar's avatar
Guysakar
Explorer
Sep 20, 2014

Brakes?

Hi guys, I am thinking about buying a travel trailer to pull with a mid 2000's F150 with a 4.6 V8, and tow package.


I am looking for something small, around 18 foot and 4K-5K pounds.


I'm concerned with braking. Most of the trailers in the size range I am looking at do not come equipped with brakes.

I have looked at some videos on installing trailer brakes and all of the videos assume that there is a bracket already in place to mount the brakes.


Am I going to have to drive out to every trailer I am contemplating purchasing (which could be 1-3 hours away) and inspect each one to see if they have this bracket, or is this something that I can just assume that a mid 2000's year travel trailer will have, and then just double check when I get there?

Or do I even need brakes?


Also, the hitch weight of most of these is around 350, and truck is rated for 500. Should I be safe and get a distributing hitch thing?

Thank you in advance for any help.




PS any advice on towing, DIY brake install, price to have installed, etc... will be greatly appreciated.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    The brake requirement threshold seems to be around 3000 lbs. I don't know which "bracket" you are referring to but whole brakes with backer plate can be purchased and are not that expensive. Check Etrailer for pricing and installation instructions.
  • Guysakar's avatar
    Guysakar
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Turbo Diesel Dude wrote:
    I think that anything over 1000 lbs has to have brakes. JMHO



    Thanks for the reply.

    So then, would most TT's, especially the newer ones, which weigh 4K-5K LBS come with brakes? And maybe just aren't listing them in the ads because it is just standard?


    westend wrote:
    The brake requirement threshold seems to be around 3000 lbs. I don't know which "bracket" you are referring to but whole brakes with backer plate can be purchased and are not that expensive. Check Etrailer for pricing and installation instructions.



    Thanks. I think you might have just answered my question. So basically, most travel trailers will just accept bolt on brakes with no welding or such?



    Thanks again guys. I really do appreciate the help.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Guysakar wrote:
    Turbo Diesel Dude wrote:
    I think that anything over 1000 lbs has to have brakes. JMHO



    Thanks for the reply.

    So then, would most TT's, especially the newer ones, which weigh 4K-5K LBS come with brakes? And maybe just aren't listing them in the ads because it is just standard?


    westend wrote:
    The brake requirement threshold seems to be around 3000 lbs. I don't know which "bracket" you are referring to but whole brakes with backer plate can be purchased and are not that expensive. Check Etrailer for pricing and installation instructions.



    Thanks. I think you might have just answered my question. So basically, most travel trailers will just accept bolt on brakes with no welding or such?



    Thanks again guys. I really do appreciate the help.

    In the unique case that a 4K lb->5K lb trailer doesn't have brakes, the replacement brake assembly bolts to the axle in place of the original, brake-less backer plate. This will be a highly unique situation since most States require at least emergency break-away brakes for anything in this weight class. Not all axles have the same bolt pattern or drum sizes so you would need to determine that.

    I really think you have little to worry about with brakes on anything over 4K lbs. and once you start looking for trailers, your wants will probably be like others, picking the one with the most amenities and sacrificing small size over not having the extra livability features.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    my Ascend was the smallest at 17 ft and it had brakes. I doubt you will find a RV without them now days. I surely wouldn't tow anything without brakes.
    bumpy
  • dockmasterdave's avatar
    dockmasterdave
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    We have a 21' Amerilite. I tow with either a 2010 F 150 w/4.6 v8 or a 2013 ecoboost.
    I used to pull it with a 2006 F150 w/4.3 V6 with no problems. I added a tow package to the V6. I don't think It wasn't even offered with one.
    The trailer weighs about 4500 loaded for camping (per scales).
    The previous owner of the trailer, towed it to Florida from Oregon without hooking up brakes. His expedition only had a 4 pin flat plug, so probably no tow package. He said he had no problems.
    I wouldn't want to tow it without brakes.
    Just saying you might not have to look that small to stay under 5000lbs.
  • seaeagle2's avatar
    seaeagle2
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Our Chalet Takena 1860 has a dry tongue listed @ 275 and GVW of 4500. The place we bought it told us "try it before you install a wd hitch you might not need it" I figured why mess around and feel the 350 it cost me to have a hitch shop install it and set it up was money well spent. On the 3 mile tow to the shop I could feel I was towing a trailer on the 60 miles home I forgot I was towing
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Sep 20, 2014
    Online Towing Guide - State Towing Laws

    That link will show you the state towing laws and you will see in most cases 3000#, trailer must have brakes. There are actually a lot of states that require brakes at 1500#.

    As per what was already mentioned...most people are probably not advertising the TT they have for sale is equipped with brakes...but the TT probably does have brakes.

    As per your question about a Weight Distribution Hitch? Yes! Get one, there is really no reason not to get one for your truck...safety first.

    Keep in mind most hitches have one tongue weight for no WDH and another tongue weight with WDH being used. Also, unless you like your steering wheel to feel slightly unweighted or to be towing at night and people constantly flashing you, get the WDH. When you read of people who say "white knuckle towing experience", a lot of them are referring to either no WDH or an improperly set-up WDH which results in the unweighted steering feel. Take that unweighted steering feel and now descend a 7% grade with a TT pushing you from behind and you get the idea.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Sep 20, 2014
    I'm going to go one better and say they all have brakes. You can always ask the seller long before you leave your house. If it's a manufactured travel trailer it will have brakes. If it's a converted cargo trailer it might not have brakes.

    Ask the seller if it has a 4pin flat electrical plug (no brakes) or a 7 blade round plug (probably has brakes)

    Some of the older popups that were really light did not have brakes.

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