Trailer brakes

Oclk Dlux · 05-17-2010, 11:37 AM

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 · 05-17-2010, 12:05 PM

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 · 05-17-2010, 02:18 PM

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 · 05-17-2010, 02:37 PM

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

magnumv8 · 05-17-2010, 06:04 PM

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 · 05-18-2010, 01:17 PM

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 · 05-18-2010, 03:18 PM

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 · 05-18-2010, 04:03 PM

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 · 05-18-2010, 06:26 PM

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 · 05-18-2010, 07:13 PM

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)

05-17-2010, 11:37 AM	#1
Oclk Dlux Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 56 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Trailer brakes 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. __________________ Rich Hedden 6011 BF/S

05-17-2010, 12:05 PM	#2
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 976 Likes: 780 Liked 274 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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 __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N

05-17-2010, 02:18 PM	#3
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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. __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA Last edited by Ed Fernandez; 05-17-2010 at 02:50 PM.

05-17-2010, 02:37 PM	#4
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 169 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes Ed's correct. Get brakes on both axles. Best thing I ever did to my open trailer. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

05-17-2010, 06:04 PM	#5
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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.....

05-18-2010, 01:17 PM	#6
Oclk Dlux Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 56 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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. __________________ Rich Hedden 6011 BF/S

05-18-2010, 03:18 PM	#7
Robert Simpson Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 805 Likes: 7 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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

05-18-2010, 04:03 PM	#8
Steve Polhill Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Ontario Posts: 515 Likes: 40 Liked 262 Times in 74 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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. __________________ Steve Polhill 3520 STOCK, COMP

05-18-2010, 06:26 PM	#9
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 727 Likes: 160 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

05-18-2010, 07:13 PM	#10
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Trailer brakes 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)