towing w/o trailer brakes

The 2021 manual says that trailers exceeding 1000 lbs should have trailer brakes. Is this a recent change? It seems pretty light. They cite SAE J2807 but I’m unsure how it relates, whether imposed externally or decided by Toyota for their Tundras.

 

Toyota covering their a$$, Virginia requires brakes over 3000 pounds

 

Not required for 1000lbs but I can tell you from experience, they are super helpful and much safer once you get above 2000lbs. When you get up into the 3000lb range you will be glad you have them and that is also the weight where it becomes a need/Law, depending on where you live.

 

After several trailers of different sizes and such I'm pretty much spoiled and actually hate towing without trailer brakes. My current trailer is a 5x10 utility and ordered it with brakes. So nice to have. Plus with the way the Toyota rotors like to warp, just saying.

 

I'm here to tell you that when you're going down the Teton pass towards Jackson Hole with 5 people, a full truck and a brakeless 4,500 lb camper hooked to the back, you'll sure be wishing you had them!

That was me about 10 days ago...

 

Oregon doesn’t require trailer brakes, instead has a 20 mph stopping distance requirement. Plenty of mountains here, too! Many boats under 5000 lbs here lack trailer brakes, though I agree stopping gets waggy at 3000 lbs.

 

Wouldn't tow my Dblr without them. My 2011 has the tow package and the paddle shifter with tow mode button on the shifter.
I am really happy with the combo. With my Razor loaded I'm at about 5K and the truck pulls great and has good stopping power.
Gas MPG sucks though