newby question on brakes

[Bill J]

Are brakes required on a tear? I suppose it would depend on the gross weight and by state/province. An overview would be nice.
I am sure this topic has been brought up before but I'm new here. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Bill

[Steve_Cox]

Are brakes required on a tear? I suppose it would depend on the gross weight and by state/province. An overview would be nice.
I am sure this topic has been brought up before but I'm new here. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Bill

Hi Bill,

I think you answered your own question, country or state rules and regs. Generally TD's don't need brakes in the USA because they are under the required weight. Some folks put them on because they pull with a really small car that doesn't weigh very much. Some do it just for the hell of it. Are you a "brakes on a tiny trailer guy?"

[dreadcptflint]

It varies by weight for example California anything over a gross weight of 1500 brakes are required. You don't have to have brakes under that and some people do put brakes on them.

The Washington state law is as follows:

Every trailer having a gross weight exceeding 3,000
pounds must be equipped with brakes on all wheels and
capable of being applied from the towing vehicle. Any
trailer whose gross weight is over 3,000 pounds must be
equipped with a device which will automatically apply the
brakes in case of a breakaway.
Trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less must
be equipped with brakes if the weight of the trailer(s)
exceeds 40 percent of the weight of the towing vehicle.
Trailers manufactured and assembled prior to July 1,
1965, having a gross weight less than 2,000 pounds
need not be equipped with brakes.

The best thing is check where you live.

[sdtripper2]

Bill:

I have electric brakes on my TD.
My TV = 4 cylinder Honda CRV
I got the break option cause of my light TV and going out and into San Diego
has mountains to the East and down into the deserts.

Have had a time that I locked uP my breaks as in an off ramp and a line uP
with cars stopping in a frenzy. I put on the breaks so hard that smoke came
uP all around my rig and yet the combO TV & TD kept solid in line and came
to a stop in an orderly manner. There was no fishtailing as the
trailer breaks seemed to add to the stopping in a most effective way. Holding
fast the TV, where I would have thought I was going to plow into the short
stopping car in front of me. I was a little shaken but my rigs were both ok for
the wear.

[Steve_Cox]

Good, no Excellent answer Steve. Next build, I'm putting brakes on it.

[Bill J]

I have to agree with Steve on those comments. A bit of effort now saves a potentially bigger headache in the future. Brakes it will be.

[Juneaudave]

Steve makes some good points about a light vehicle and emergency situations.

When pulling a trailer, it becomes really important to anticipate unexpected situations, give yourself some room, and avoid having to lock em' up. I personnally think a lightweight tear if fine without brakes if you do those things. On the other hand, brakes do give you some additional margin of error, and can be usefull in mountainous terrain.