Max towing without a trailer brake?

I have towed a 10,000lb trailer equipped with brakes without much of an issue but this setup below is only about 8,000lbs and it is super sketch.

Coupled with 35s I was standing on the brake pedal and didn’t even feel like there was a connection between the pedal and brakes. I’ve never experienced anything like it except on a ‘98 4Runner with a bad master cylinder.

I assume this is “normal” but I wanted to ask anyway.

Is it? How are guys towing so much weight safely if so?



Also, fun fact, if you get a tractor you don’t need to use your 1/2 ton as a work horse around the farm and you can keep it clean! Who knew?!? @hagrid

 

I dont really get the question? If it's a newer trailer it will have brakes and you just need a brake controller.

An old raggety trailer like that, either find an electric brake kit that fits or put new axles under it.

If your gonna ignore all that, drive slower and cross your fingers. Or borrow a 3/4 ton or larger truck.

 

8000 lbs am no brakes? Yes, there is something wrong with the truck.




The driver.

 

Im a big giant dummy.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't tow anything over 3-4K lbs without trailer brakes. It's just too much white knuckle with all the derps on the roads these days. Even a 3K lbs trailer gives enough extra momentum that you definitely feel it when trying to stop. I'd rent a better trailer or upgrade that one as @Half Assed suggested.

 

Different states have different laws concerning trailer brakes. In Texas, max trailer weight without brakes is 4500#. Coincidentally, my boat trailer loaded weighs 4500#.

 

Pretty sure the law here is anything over 2000 lbs needs brakes.

 

We in Michigan require trailer brakes at 2999 lbs.

 

3,000 requires brakes in AZ

 

Truck ain't heavy enough
and you need trailer brakes with a piece of equipment loaded

Big Double axle trailer needs it's own breaks, it weighs like 2K+ empty

I have driven plenty of heavy trailers with no brakes, usually with a dually and it can still be sketchy...Not wise even though I never wrecked

 

As other have said, your state will usually set a max trailer weight without breaks; however, some states have a max UNLADEN weight, instead of LADEN weight. Most of the single axle trailers around me come with an un-braked 3500 lb axle, a GTW of 2995, and an unladen weight of ~1100 lbs. Anything over 1500 lbs unladen needs brakes, any double axle axle trailer needs at least the front axle braked, and triple axles need two axles braked.

That said, I had a 6x12 v nose that didn't have brakes. I had it loaded to the max more than once and braking was... sufficient... Since I pulled it year round, I decided to put a brake kit on it (I was lucky and the axle came with flanges for brakes) for a better balance on snowy roads. Even with the brake controller set quite low, it made a noticeable difference in balance and handling. The truck was fine stopping it without brakes, but it was better with brakes on the trailer.

I pulled that trailer about once a week or more and never had an issue bringing it to a stop. I did have a panic stop with it on the freeway once which was pretty white knuckle, but it did stop it.

I've also had intermittent brake failure on a double axle car hauler I borrowed from a friend. I had a sedan on it for a four hour drive including a 5 mile decent at 10% grade. A brake wire on the second axle had snagged and torn (not my doing, but I fixed it the second I got back to my shop); brake controller would read continuity through the first axle but as soon as you apply brakes and voltage, it would trip a 'No Brake' warning and they brakes didn't work. So at 5-6k lbs total, the truck was still able to slow and stop the trailer without trailer brakes. I didn't need to stop in a big hurry, but it handled the descent (I engine brake anyways) and normal highway speeds and "traffic" without issue.

 

Good info.

 

You need a trailer brake kit. And also— probably a trailer brake kit.

But don’t forget to add a trailer brake kit either.

(The repetition helps my kids)

 

Great info guys. The trailer isn't mine, I am just doing some tractor work and the guy who asked me to help had a trailer.

It's SKETCH. Had no idea trailer brakes made such a big difference because I'm dumb.

 

You know we love you and your “yeet first ask questions later” style.

 

Life is too short to do research for things that can save your life.

 

Your life? Not conspiracy to commit vehicular murder? I've actually stopped an old guy with a lumber load hanging out the back
of his pickup. Completely unsecured. When I see stuff like that my brain hurts. Glad you understand now

 

My 16’ dual axle came without brakes. First time I towed my rzr I ordered the brake kit when I got to the off road park. No way in hell I’d tow 8k without trailer brakes. Not even an HD would handle that well. $300 for the brake kit and it makes stopping not even a question these days.

 

It’ll tow that trailer just fine without brakes.


Won’t stop it fer shit, but will tow it fine.

 

All brakes ever do is slow you down. Ain’t nobody got time for dat.