Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Here is a good price on an axle kit with all the options. The brackets are set at 58" a part (you need to have an overall width of 58" for it to properly clear). I need 60" to fit my frame. They ordered it in wrong and are reordering one for me . It's a 2000lb Dexter Torflex with EZ lube and brakes. It's 22 degrees down. It's in my garage today but will be going back to Pacific Steel soon. You can call Tonya at Pacific steel in Bozeman MT (406) 587-0662 and ask her about shipping it to you. Let me know if you have any questions. I wanted to help them sell it since they were so nice to exchange it for me. I could send/post a photo if you are interested let me know.

Kev

I am shopping for a torsion axle, and considering the Dexter axle. Since I live in Long Beach, CA I found a source not to far from where I live in someone's reference list: Redneck Trailer Supply in Mira Loma, CA. I'll compare prices later, hoping shipping costs will be less, maybe even do a will call.

Now my question: Is electric brakes necessary for a trailer under 2000lbs?

I wonder how many wide x long (5x8+) TD builders plan for electric brakes? Just a newbie question.

cuyeda wrote:Now my question: Is electric brakes necessary for a trailer under 2000lbs?

I don't have brakes on mine. Loaded it's around 1500lbs. You'd have to check on the brakes, I think I heard about them being required in CA but I don't remember the weight.

Since you are in CA, that means it will be different for you as opposed to the rest of the country. Like that 55mph while towing a trailer BS

brakes are a question of what you're building weight wise, what you're towing with and where you are towing it...depending on location, trailers under 2000#s don't require brakes and in somplaces under 3000#s...if you are building heavy..say 12-1500+pounds and towing with a lightweight vehicle then you may want to consider brakes...if you do a lot of mountain driving you may want brakes...if you are towing off-road in a lot of hills, you might want brakes...just be aware of what it is you are doing...situational awareness and common sense will get ya down that long and winding hill.............
madjack

Thanks madjack for your TD wisdom. We should call you the TD wizard! At first, I thought adding brakes would be overbuilding. It is a feature that isn't absolutely necessary, but a feature that would be nice to havec covering any terrain conditions (hills). I will probably build 5 x 8+ minimum. I tend to add every creature comfort to the build list, plus a few ideas of my own. So the weight of all the additiions may add up in the end. I may balance the amenities out later.

I have a Dodge Ram 1500, V8, but the vehicle may change to something like a Honda Pilot V6 (on the wish list) for better gas mileage and GPS. We have a Honda Accord with GPS, and wouldn't buy a new car with out it now. I already have the brake sensor installed in the truck.

Decisions, decisions... to brake, or not to brake

I am not looking for replies, just thinking out loud.

C, just another thought to add to your decision making process...brakes will cost ya around 100 bucks to add...that is cheap insurance/peace of mind and depening on the cost/level of your build.,.not a significant amount to add to bucks up build, to get that added insurance/peace of mind...
madjack

Breaks.... I got umm on my Honda CRV<-&-1000 lbs trailer.
I feel my Honda is on the boarder line of pull rigs and so feel better with
breaks on the trailer.

It does give one peace of mind when having a small rig pulling and hills
looming. After adjusting the sensitivity on the break controller;... stops are
a pleasure.

A novice might experience the buck-n-broncO effect if the
controller is set wrong. That is the rear end of your trailer might lock uP,
skid and jump as it pulls back on your unsuspecting tow rig, not unlike the
vision of a wild mustang fighting its inevitable come along.
This experience can be disconcerting.

I live in the Rockies and tow in all conditions. The first time you have a tourist jam a U turn to get that photo of an elk, you will be glad you have them. We also snow camp, so it's common for us to tow on snow pack. If your building larger than a 4X8 with an off road quality frame it's heavy enough to push your tow rig even on the flats. The trailer brakes will also save wear on your tow rig brakes. Lastly, the next owner of your tear may need the brakes even if you don't.
Kev

cuyeda wrote:...
Now my question: Is electric brakes necessary for a trailer under 2000lbs?

I wonder how many wide x long (5x8+) TD builders plan for electric brakes? Just a newbie question.

In California the law says that any camping trailer 1500 pounds or over must have brakes. Note they say "Gross Weight", not Gross Weight Rating or Unladen Weight.

California Vehicle Code 26303.
Every trailer coach and every camp trailer having a gross
weight of 1,500 pounds or more, but exclusive of passengers, shall be
equipped with brakes on at least two wheels which are adequate,
supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the
combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance
requirements of Section 26454.