Opinion on trailer brakes

If you're comfortable that you can safely stop in an emergency then I think you are fine. You're getting in the weight range that would me question it too.

Laws requiring trailer brakes vary by state, most are around 3000#, but a few are 1500#. http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/

Are you worried about legalities or a successful trip?
The legalities vary from state to state. Some states require brakes on any trailer over 1500 lbs. UNLADEN weight (trailer only, no cargo). Some states require brakes on any trailer over 3000 lbs GROSS weight (trailer plus cargo). Then there is Alaska, which throws 5000 lbs. GVW into the mix. Perhaps just to be different.
Some states have a "Braking Performance Standard", such as Montana does, in that you must be able to stop any "combination of vehicles" within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a clean, level, dry, hard surface. Montana also requires brakes on any TRAILER that has a GVW of 3000 lbs. or more.
IMO, you will probably be OK with a trailer gross weight of less than 2000 lbs without brakes. However, if it gives you ANY concerns, for your own peace of mind, get the brakes. You don't need the additional worry.
Electric or surge brakes will work just fine.

Campfire Time wrote:
If you're comfortable that you can safely stop in an emergency then I think you are fine. You're getting in the weight range that would me question it too.

Laws requiring trailer brakes vary by state, most are around 3000#, but a few are 1500#. http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/

FINALLY! A "List Of Laws" that apparently is accurate!
This link should become a "Sticky" in the "Towing" section!

Tracus wrote:
I'll be traveling cross country next month (May) with a new Winnebago Vista 27N towing a 12 foot utility trailer with a Can AM Spyder strapped on it. The trailer weighs 900 pounds and the Can Am is a touch over 1000 pounds. What are your feelings (opinions) as to whether or not I should have trailer brakes installed? Our route is west through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah Nevada and finally Yosemite. From there it's down to Death Valley then AZ, TX, Natchex MS, Nashville and home to PA.

Previously we have made two cross country trips in a 24 foot Winnebago Minnie towing an 8 foot trailer with a motorcycle, combined weight about 1500 pounds. No trailer brakes and we had no problems crossing the Rockies and the Cascades.

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

In advance, thanks.
Chris

Two observations, regardless of the "legalities"...
1) Your emergency stopping distance will be increased. The heavier the trailer, the longer it will take to stop the entire combination. The increase is in direct proportion to the weight of the trailer as a percentage of the weight of the whole rig.
2) What will stop the trailer if it should happen to break away from the Tow vehicle?

Trailer brakes are a wise piece of safety equipment. If your trailer should ever develop sway, depressing the brake control lever will bring it back into line. And when (not if) a deer or an idiot driver must be avoided suddenly, you'll be glad for the shorter stopping distance.

Nevada requires brakes at 1,500 pounds. California 1000 pounds. Mississippi at 2000 pounds.

Note that some states with higher minimums for trailer brakes also have speed limitations for some weight ranges, and in at least one state the requirement is based solely on towing speed, without regard to weight.

Hauling that much load, I would have trailer brakes installed, with a breakaway provision. That would likely be a major upgrade of your trailer.

California

Every trailer and semitrailer manufactured after 1940 with a GVW of 6,000 lbs. or more and operated at a speed of 20 mph or more must be equipped with brakes; trailers and semitrailers built after 1966 and with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must have brakes on at least 2 wheels; every trailer or semitrailer built after 1982 and equipped with air brakes must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels.

Nevada

Every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer at least 1,500 lbs. and manufactured after July 1, 1975 must be equipped with service brakes on all wheels.

Trailers, semitrailers, house trailers, or pole trailers, manufactured before July 1, 1975 and weighing less than 3,000 lbs. need not have brakes on all wheels.

Mississippi

Every trailer carrying over 1 ton, when operated on a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of the trailer and to stop and hold the trailer.

Brakes on a trailer should be designed so that the driver of the towing vehicle from its cab may apply them.

Brakes on a trailer should be designed and connected so that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.

Every new trailer, except a trailer of 2 axles of less than 2,000 lbs. GVW towed by an automobile, hereafter sold in this state and operated on the highways, shall be equipped with service brakes on all wheels of every such vehicle.

Well, you've given me much to ponder. I thank you for all your suggestions and opinions. I spoke with the salesperson where we're buying the trailer and mentioned the various trailer brake laws in differing states. His response was that those laws apply only to trailers registered in that state. He then stated that in Pennsylvania, trailer brakes are required for a GVR of 3,000 pounds (Trailer plus cargo) if that trailer is to be registered in PA. (I will assume that he's correct.)

I must admit this could be confusing for someone buying a 900 pound trailer and not knowing when he might be carrying 2100 pounds of cargo. If anyone has been in my position and has towed a trailer of 1900 pounds without brakes, I would be interested to hear what he/she has to say.

Thanks again for all your responses.

Chris

Personally, I don't spend a whole lot of time worrying about whether my equipment will be legal in another state.
However, while there are Reciprocity Agreements in place between the states (most of them, at least), such agreements usually only apply to Drive Licenses, Insurance requirements, and registration. Equipment laws usually do not have reciprocity.
If it is an area of concern, one should NOT rely on what a salesperson has to say. Instead, check with the appropriate authorities in the state where you will be traveling and see what THEY say about the issue.
It IS, of course, highly unlikely that anybody will ever be stopped for a trailer brake check.

That 1900 pound trailer without brakes would be legal in Montana.

My decision would not be based on what is required in what state. It would be based on the safest way to travel. I would put brakes on the trailer. No matter what the weight of the trailer, you will be able to stop more quickly with trailer brakes. I have had too many idiots pull in front of me and slow down to take the risk.