Are trailer brakes a must ?

On a small trailer (6x8 enclosed trailer) when being pulled by a full size truck.

Thinking it should be fine - with proper hitch and weight distribution - but will be towing through mountains of WV.

Not common to find many of these small trailers with brakes installed and of course costly to add on afterwards.

Plan is to just use a small trailer to take stuff back to Ohio we don’t use or need immediately - clear up clutter around house while we list home for sale and save on space in moving truck.

Thinking if I did need to go bigger - need something with brakes - but something this small shouldn’t be pushing the weight of a truck around (3k rating total).

Found a couple of trailers used relatively cheap - for the limited use it will receive hate to buy new and really hate to rent given the cost.

 

Depends on your state. http://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws.html

 

My advice....buy a little bigger tandem axle trailer with brakes. Sooner or later you will be thankful.

 

I had small 6x10 enclosed with a 3 foot v nose. I used it regularly (at least once a week) for several years without issue. It came without brakes because my state goes by unladen weight and didn’t require them for that trailer. Fully loaded, I never had any problems stopping, but you could tell it was there. Not in a daunting kind of way, but it wasn’t transparent.

I ended up adding trailer brakes to it for winter driving. I could turn the gain down a little bit and keep the trailer tracking straight while braking in inclement weather better than a trailer without brakes. Else, I probably wouldn’t have bothered. I used it for a couple of years without brakes.

 

I've used a 1500lb trailer w/o brakes, and I can definitively tell it's there.

3000lbs would be scary IMHO.

 

I pulled a 6x8 Uhaul trailer with my 14 Tacoma I had from Akron Ohio down to Nashville. Never needed trailer brakes. I was fully loaded with a very heavy bedroom set to the gills. I knew the trailer was back there but wasn't white knuckling by any means. Would be a lot easier in the Tundra due to it's size and the Tacoma is not a good tow vehicle.

Obviously the terrain is very different than say the WV turnpike. You would be fine unless you're hauling a lot of weight (like pallets of shingles etc) in the trailer.

 

To be clear, the issue without trailer brakes is if you have to stop suddenly. Without brakes on the trailer will definitely take longer than if the trailer does have brakes.

Yes a large factor is how mindful the truck driver (YOU!) are. But there are other things beyond your control, like every other driver on the road!

 

Thanks

I’m thinking it will be ok - again max weight of trailer is 3k - not the loaded weight. Guessing loaded weight will be below 2k -I mean how much household stuff can you jam in there?

Not like I’m going to use it daily doing this - one trip - go slow/keep space and should be fine - especially since it’s interstate driving and not really stop and go. No - you can’t always tell what some other idiot is going to do - but in an interstate situation and keeping sufficient distance should be fine.

I’d like a dual axle and something bigger - but this is just a price thing for a simple use. Found one at an equipment sale and it’s bid low - I’ll try to get it cheap if I can. If not - no big deal. Eventually will ne getting a car carrier/equipment trailer for moving tractors and such - but this would be nice to haul the 4 wheeler/gator if needed.

 

Under 2k you'll be fine. The Tundra is heavy enough to not be pushed around by that trailer. Other than when accelerating or overpasses, you'll easily forget it's back there. Safe/smart driving and you'll be fine.

 

I think a majority of trailers pulled by 1/2 ton users are in the 1000-3500 pound range and do not have brakes on them. Smaller boats, utility trailers for 4 wheelers and side by sides etc. Braking distance will be longer, leave more room between you and the next vehicle. Drive slower, I'm amazed at all the 80mph or we'll die from traffic posts on here. Perfectly fine to drive 65-70mph on interstates with a trailer, or slower as needed in the right lane. Just be aware that you pulling the weight behind you, the Tundra won't care so much and has pretty good brakes on the 2 Gens and up. Your profile doesn't mention which truck you have and this is in the general towing forum.

 

I have three single axle trailers and none of them have brakes. I have never had an issue towing or stopping. If the trailer is built with brakes, then they are most like necessary and you should use them. The Tundra is a capable tow vehicle, but it is not designed to stop with a heavy trailer without using the trailer brakes.

 

3k lbs? No worries. Downshift in the mountains and keep her in control on the downhill. Most states don't require brakes less than 3k. My boat + trailer is 3500 and my taco was fine. Tundra even better.

If you want, adding surge brake with drums is easy as he'll and not to much $. Go to etrailer.com. I ended up doing that to tow into Canada. Heard OPP will make you leave your trailer on the side of the road if no brakes, so I did it in a few hours. Simple bolt on.