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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.

16 Replies

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  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
    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.

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