Trailer brakes

[Oclk Dlux]

Need some advice on trailer brakes. I'm looking to buy an open tandem axle trailer for my LeBaron that only weighs 2400 lbs. Most normally come with a single axle electric brake, but since it's a tandem axle toting a FWD car, I don't think have to worry too much about trailer sway. With that said, I thought it would work better with hydraulic surge brakes. Byt he way, my tow rig is a '88 GMC C1500.

But here's where I'd like to hear others experience. One or two axle brakes? Electric or hydraulic?

Thanks for the help.

[Sean Marconette]

Electric, with a good proportional brake controller. Single axle should be fine. A load distribution hitch and sway control would also be a good idea. All these things are good insurance for you while pulling the trailer loaded or unloaded.

Sean

[Ed Fernandez]

Get the brakes on both axles,easier to sell down the road and less strain on the single axle setup and the truck brakes.If you want a real trick setup you can buy a dual axle disc brake setup for about $850.But you have to change the front coupler over to a supplied surge brake unit.
Correction,Titan makes the surge kit starting at about $585.The disc brake electric actuated setup starts at $999.85 .Both kits for 2 axle 3500# systems.

[Ed Wright]

Ed's correct. Get brakes on both axles. Best thing I ever did to my open trailer.

[magnumv8]

Check the trailer laws in the state you are located....some require brakes on each axle and some don't....likewise with surge brakes, some allow them while others don't...this makes it difficult because the trailer could be manufactured and legal in one state but not the one you're living in....if you get a trailer with electric brakes on both axles with a good contoller and breakaway system you should be legal everywhere.....


D L Rambo.....

[Oclk Dlux]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I checked on my truck and it has the light duty brakes, therefore the dual axle brakes is a must.

[Robert Simpson]

Not to highjack the thread but what electric controler would you recommend for the open trailer above and why? I am in the same situation and I am looking to update.
Thanks
Robert

[Steve Polhill]

Robert

I upgraded to a Tekonsha Prodigy Controller. It works great. Hell it even tells you if you are connected or not, or if you have a short in the system.. They even have a high model that has a LCD screen.

[Philip Saran]

I have and perfer the 4 wheel electric brakes, when towing my open
car trailer empty I can turn down the controller to slight or no trailer
brakes since mine has a tendency to lock the trailer brakes when
the trailer is empty. But then I tow with a Ford F350 diesel 4x4 with
4 wheel disc brakes.

The only time I have towed a open car trailer with surge brakes was
back in the 80's and when the trailer was empty it would smoke the
trailer tires coming to a stop sign. With the car on the trailer no problems.

[Tom keedle]

when i bought my 18 footer, 1992 models didn't have to have 2 axle brakes but 93's did.
if i had to do it again, i'd go to 2 axle brakes

i use a Tekonsha controller but it's not a prodigy (i forget which model)