Hey Mtbikernate, I've said this before, and will probably be saying it again, but just so you are aware... in my state, CT, at least and maybe in yours too, it is actually illegal to have brakes on a trailer and not have them hooked up and working. Yes, even if the trailer's weight doesn't require brakes at all.
I think their reasoning is that they don't want excuses and they don't want the cops and/or inspectors to have to make common sense judgement rulings. Same thing for lights; if they are there, even if redundant, they have to be working. Probably too many people towing trailers that have, and are required to have brakes, using tow vehicles that they never bothered getting a controller installed in is what created the law, but it is what it is. Just saying. Better to know if you are breaking the law before you get into more serious trouble. It's not the ticket I would worry about, it's the insurance adjuster and civil suit lawyer that would be looking for a loop hole after an accident.