Hello,I have a 5th wheel RV and do okay towing and backing that but I need an enclosed cargo trailer for a small business I am thinking of opening up.The trailers I am looking at are either 6 or 7 feet wide by 12 feet long. They come with a single OR tandem axles. The tandem axel trailers cost anywhere from $1200 to $2000 more than the single axle trailers. The tandem axle obivously can haul more weight (which really isn't an issue for me) and comes with electric brakes. There are no brakes on the single axle trailers.My question is the tandem axle worth the extra cost? Is a tandem axle easier to back up than a single axle or visa versa? I know going in that backing this trailer up is going to be a lot differant than my 5th wheel.Like I said I do not need the tandem for weight but the brakes would still be a help. I would be towing this trailer with a 2013 Chevy 2500HD Silverado Diesel with tow package. Your thoughts appreciated!Dave

It should be possible to buy a single axle trailer with brakes. Personally, other than a small utility trailer hauling a lawn mower or some such, I wouldn't be comfortable with a trailer without brakes.

Depending on trailer gvwr the brakes are not required. If buying new option the single axle with brakes. If buying used, just get an axle with brakes and swap it out.I have never felt a difference between single and dual axle trailers when backing, unless it was a spread-axle trailer.

IMHO it has little to do with the number of axles and everything to do with weigh and tongue. Just bought a 5x8 with a fairly long tongue. It tows great.

dpgllg wrote:Hello,Like I said I do not need the tandem for weight but the brakes would still be a help. I would be towing this trailer with a 2013 Chevy 2500HD Silverado Diesel with tow package. DaveYes, having trailer brakes would save a little minor wear and tear on your truck brakes if you're driving in the city....maybe. You're talking 3klb trailer and a HD diesel w exh brake = trailer brakes are basically not needed.They'll back up the same radius, just tire scrub w tandem. If making alot of sharp turns and back ins the single axle will be a little more friendly.I wouldn't spend the extra unless you needed the capacity.Trailer suggestion if buying new, I bought a MTI trailer back in WI last year. They are a price point trailer and I paid the same or less than a comparable size used trailer in either WA or WI and considerably less than other brands, new. Found it to be very good quality for the price. 6x14 single axle, full plywood lined walls, picked the color. $3k out the door and the dlr put radial tires on in lieu of the bias tires. SOld it for $3500 back in seattle when I was done w it.

I have a single axle trailer. It didn’t have brakes but I fixed that with a complete brake kit from an online supplier. It came with everything including the wiring, plug and breakaway battery and switch. I went with single because with a wheel under the tongue jack you can push it around and turn it sideways by hand, which I do all the time at campgrounds.

Help from people who use bumper pull trailers | Good Sam Community

wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2018
dpgllg wrote:
How hard is it to add the brakes? I'm disabled and would need my son-in-law to help get them put on.

It's mostly bolt-on. You pull the existing hubs off the spindles, bolt on the brake backing plate the install the new hubs/drums. Then you connect 2 wires per side up to a new 7-way plug along with a breakaway battery and switch.

The kit I used came with everything including hubs with pre-greased bearings & seals, heavy gauge 2-conductor wire, the 7-way plug, and a breakaway battery, box & switch. You have to verify the spindle dimensions first since there are multiple sizes plus wheel lug spacing and number.

Again, be sure the trailer axle has the mounting flange or you'll need someone to weld. Some info here: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-Adding-Electric-Drum-Brakes.aspx

Also, it's possible a complete axle swap is easier/cheaper but you'll still need to buy and run the wiring, plug and battery so probably not.
Boomerweps
Explorer
Oct 02, 2018
A double pull trailer is obvious.
Whether brakes are on a trailer is not.
I have seen all kinds of traffic checks but checking for non-commercial trailer brakes hasn't been one.
Yes, the state laws of the state you are in are enforceable against you. Unless a reciprocal agreement is in effect between the states or superseded by federal laws.
Then again, police even have a hard time knowing the laws. A year after PA did away with license plate stickers to show current registration, PA cars were still occasionally pulled over by OH cops for expired registrations ;( I scraped mine off to help avoid their confusion.
dpgllg
Explorer
Oct 02, 2018
wnjj wrote:
dpgllg wrote:
OP Here,

I think based on all of the responses the best choice would be to find a single axle trailer with brakes. I do need the ability to hand move it into the spot I want to keep it in. We also might be taking it out of state so this way there is no chance of any possible violation.

I have found some but the singles with brakes are almost as much as a tandem with brakes. I will keep looking and maybe I can find a nice used one at a reasonable price.

Dave

A complete brake add kit is about $270 if the axle has the flange on it (square plate with 4 holes). What price difference are you seeing for with vs without brakes?

I found a used 6x10 with a side door for $1500 but this was several years ago.

Right now on my local Craigslist a 7 x 12 single axle with brakes is $4000 and one without is $2800.

How hard is it to add the brakes? I'm disabled and would need my son-in-law to help get them put on.

Dave
wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2018
dpgllg wrote:
OP Here,

I think based on all of the responses the best choice would be to find a single axle trailer with brakes. I do need the ability to hand move it into the spot I want to keep it in. We also might be taking it out of state so this way there is no chance of any possible violation.

I have found some but the singles with brakes are almost as much as a tandem with brakes. I will keep looking and maybe I can find a nice used one at a reasonable price.

Dave

A complete brake add kit is about $270 if the axle has the flange on it (square plate with 4 holes). What price difference are you seeing for with vs without brakes?

I found a used 6x10 with a side door for $1500 but this was several years ago.
dpgllg
Explorer
Oct 02, 2018
OP Here,

I think based on all of the responses the best choice would be to find a single axle trailer with brakes. I do need the ability to hand move it into the spot I want to keep it in. We also might be taking it out of state so this way there is no chance of any possible violation.

I have found some but the singles with brakes are almost as much as a tandem with brakes. I will keep looking and maybe I can find a nice used one at a reasonable price.

Dave
wnjj
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2018
wa8yxm wrote:
Most states, As I understand it, Respect your home state..

BUT in an accident... If you can not stop in time and thus rear end the driver in front of you .. you WILL get the ticket.. Brakes on trailer or not.. You WILL get the ticket.

And if the "injured" party (The guy you hit) has a sharp lawyer and you do NOT have brakes on a heavy trailer.... (This applies to towed cars on a Motor home as well) Well. Again a sharp lawyer will add a few zeros to the law suit.

I think reciprocity only applies to drivers’ licenses and vehicle requirements are not necessarily covered. In some cases they may not care as much (i.e. trailer brake requirements if your rig can stop sufficiently) but other things like double towing probably not so much.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2018
Most states, As I understand it, Respect your home state..

BUT in an accident... If you can not stop in time and thus rear end the driver in front of you .. you WILL get the ticket.. Brakes on trailer or not.. You WILL get the ticket.

And if the "injured" party (The guy you hit) has a sharp lawyer and you do NOT have brakes on a heavy trailer.... (This applies to towed cars on a Motor home as well) Well. Again a sharp lawyer will add a few zeros to the law suit.
Optimistic_Para
Explorer
Oct 02, 2018
CavemanCharlie wrote:
In MN brakes are not required on anything that weighs less then 2900 pounds. I don't believe that a trailer licensed here would be ticketed in another state because of a difference in laws. I will admit that I am not 100 percent sure of that though.

It's an interesting problem. If something is legal in your home state, but not in another state you are traveling through, whose laws apply?

Take double towing - say you are pulling a boat trailer behind your fifth wheel. This is legal in a lot of states but not all of them. Not legal in PA, NY, NJ, or MA for example. So if your tow vehicle, fifth wheel and boat trailer all have TX plates, where it's legal, think that's going to save you from a ticket from a PA or NY cop?

I don't think so, but then, I'm not a lawyer and I haven't tried to research it in law books. I wouldn't even know how, really.

And I suspect that the people who claim it's perfectly fine aren't lawyers and haven't researched it in law books, either.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2018
Grit dog wrote:
Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
And AFAIK if you cross into another state, THEIR laws control, not the state your trailer is registered in. In NY, anything over 1,000 lbs needs brakes. Here's the different laws:

https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/

More bullsheet from O P. For the rest of us living in the real world, never seen a 3klb gvw trailer that came with brakes...ever and unless you are gettin the finger wave from a DOT cop (I mean the kind that requires a latex glove, not to be confused with the finger shake gesture, lol) noone will ever look at your little single axle trailer for brakes.
Why? Because they don't need them and they aren't required in 90% of states. Just like other obscure laws.

And to add back that often missing aire of practicality, an HD pickup has no need for trailer brakes on a small little trailer like that.

In MN brakes are not required on anything that weighs less then 2900 pounds. I don't believe that a trailer licensed here would be ticketed in another state because of a difference in laws. I will admit that I am not 100 percent sure of that though.
wnjj
Explorer II
Sep 30, 2018
If my single axle trailer gets a flat in a dangerous place, It will travel just fine on the rim if needed to get it moved so that’s a non-issue for me. A new wheel is cheaper than a new life.

On the couple of snowmobile low profile trailer tire blowouts I’ve had, the rim was done before I even got pulled over.

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