Brakes for Harbor Freight trailer

[beverlyt]

Well, I'm still thinking one day I might pull the trailer with my automatic plain-jane Beetle.
But...if I'm going to pull it to our property in Tennessee, I'd sure feel a whole lot better in the mountains with a set of brakes on her.
What brakes will fit this trailer? Surge? Electric? Can anyone show me the exact brakes that would work? I'm not sure what all I would need.
Tnx!
Bev

[mikeschn]

You're gonna tow a teardrop in the mountains, with a beetle, without brakes???



I had to!!!

Mike...

[Joseph]

Hey Bev,

How much does your trailer weigh?

Joseph

[beverlyt]

Joseph,
I'm not sure of the weight of the trailer yet. The tongue weight is about 94 pounds. I would guess the trailer weighs around 650-700 pounds....but I wont' know for sure til we take it somewhere and get it weighed.
VW service told me to go for it if it's between 600-700 pounds, but he also mentioned mountain driving might be pushing it.
I've got just a regular 2.0 New Beetle with an auto transmission. Some of those Tennessee highway miles get pretty scary around the mountains. I just want to make sure it's safe for everyone.
Bev

[ALAN GEDDES]

I have the same concerns about pulling with my 69 Bug. Researced it a bunch and contacted munfactorers after trailer places couldn't give me an answer. All the surge brake systems aren't going to work because the trailer doesn't weigh enough. Electric is the way to go. You more than likely will have to replace your axel so you can buy and install back plates, brakes and drums. Probably will need new rims and tires also. Several hundred dollars to do this. If anyone else has a solution I hope the let us know because I plan on heading to the Smokies this summer. As long as your load doesn't exceed about 40% of the vehicle weight I think you will be OK. Just use caution and gearing going down hill . AL

[beverlyt]

Al,
Thanks for the information. Knowing very little about brakes, I hadn't understood that I couldn't simply buy brakes to fit the axle/tires I already have on the trailer. After just spending $400.00 new for the original trailer/axle...I'm not about to change it.
Bev

[vwbeamer]

I towed a 1500lb VW bug with my 2001 Jetta. I did not have a problem stopping.

Your new beetle should tow a up to about 1000lbs with no worry about brakes.

[KBS]

I'd just throw out a good sized boat anchor.

By the way, this thread is more than 5 years old. I suspect a solution has been found.

[Gage]

I'd just throw out a good sized boat anchor.

By the way, this thread is more than 5 years old. I suspect a solution has been found.

Yep, I think someone told her that they don't have mountains back there, not to worry about it.

[vwbeamer]

I'd just throw out a good sized boat anchor.

By the way, this thread is more than 5 years old. I suspect a solution has been found.

LOL, found via google search, sorry "bout digging up the dead.

[Gene C]

I just did a simular trip
I pulled my TD to Tahoe and back from San Francisco
with my Meyers Manx dune buggy. it was about a 650 round mile trip.
I did it with out brakes as well and I have a bigger TD.
So taking your time is the key and staying in gear on the downhill.
I was conscious of the braking the entire time but it was enjoyable.
To do it again I will have a surge brake though so I can take that thought element out of it and make the trip even more enjoyable But it's worth doing and the only way to learn
My bigger issue was the wind , which was not fun at all crossing the Bay bridges. I was in full pucker a few times from the cross wind and had my speed down to under 25 mph. I had plenty of power on the up hill with my 2330 but as long as your over 1800 cc ou should be fine, Under that could make for a real long journey.



Gene C
Burlingame Ca

[vwbeamer]

Gene, I had a Myers clone, and it wieghed in at only 1250lbs, did the trailer ever push the rear of the car on sharp turns? I can't imagine towing with something that lite.

Your GCVW was more than likely under 2000 lbs...

[Gene C]

Thats Gadget my Buggy and Relaxo the TD
First off Gadget weighs in over 2000- 2600 lbs depending on how I am packed. so it is not lite compered to other buggy's that weigh in between 1200-1600 lbs. i have Plenty of power and I did design the tow hitch etc with Relaxo in mind
When I do tow Relaxo around , I tend to be relaxed and not try and set any speed records. I will definelty get some pushing if I start to exceed my comfort zone, but that is with anything in towing. I did take on some long steep winding downhills andI just kept it in low gear. It did push some but nothing out of control
I will add a surge brake to Relaxo eventually but I would not hesitate take he two out any time as they are

Gene C
Burlingame