Is it worth it to pay $400.00 for brakes on a 7'x14' open trailer - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

knezz · #1 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 12:16 PM

I have the option to by a trailer with or without brakes?

It will be a single axle 7'x14' open trailer with the wood slat floor. I will be towing at most 3 ATVs about 500lbs each. I don't know if I will be seeing alot of hills.

Is it extremely noticeable having breaks on a trailer carrying only1500 lbs at most?

I will be pulling it with a 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel.

Scooter86 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 03:31 PM

That truck will be fine without trailer brakes on that setup. They would be necessary if you ever wanted to tow it with a smaller truck or suv though. The brakes will save a little wear and tear on the truck however.

DODGE57HEMI · #3 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 04:44 PM

No doubt your Ram has the power to pull and the brakes to stop that size of trailer but I always say you can never have to much braking power! I tow here in the mountains Co and even with my 1500 I still have brakes on my 12" trailer with only 900lbs of quads. It's those sudden stops that get you every time!

JeffinTD · #4 (**permalink**) 03-21-2009, 06:13 PM

I often tow a similar size steel trailer with a couple atv's. The Dodge will stop it fine, but you do have to apply additional pedal pressure, and I know it extends panic stopping distance.

I think if you had the truck loaded to gvwr too (say a camper), plus the weight of the trailer, you would want trailer brakes.

If it were me, I'd spend the extra to have brakes on the trailer. Nobody ever says their rig can panic stop better than they want it to, and one deer jumping out in front of you could make that $400 look like pocket change.

knezz · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 12:02 AM

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: JeffinTD

and one deer jumping out in front of you could make that $400 look like pocket change.</end quote></div>

Now that was funny and point taken :-)

upnort · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 01:11 AM

Seems like a whole lot of overkill, that 2500 is not really even going to notice the trailer behind it.

oxfordnative · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 09:57 AM

You cant have to much in the line of brakes, but you shouldn't need them. You will also need the controller in your truck if they are electric brakes and you will need a battery on your trailer if you want the brakes to work if you lose the trailer.

95wolv · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 03:26 PM

I run a 7x12 with electric brakes, pulled by my 94 GMC 1/2 ton, I really like the extra control I get with a full load of quads and camping gear,especially on big hills. On steep hills, when traffic is bad, you can really feel the trailer taking the load off your truck, actually helps me stop faster and smoother at stop lights,too.

tripleR · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 06:35 PM

I pull the same size trailer with my 06 Tundra which is not as big or heavy as the Ford, Chevy or Dodge. I haul a combinations of ATV's and generator or a Kubota and have never had any trouble stopping. However, if it had been offered with brakes as an option, I would have bought it that way.

KQ400Pilot · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009, 07:51 PM

Definitely worth the $$. Without trailer brakes, the trailer will "push" the rear of the truck while braking. During hard (panic stop) braking, the trailer can actually raise the rear of the truck up, resulting in a smaller tire/pavement contact--which equals less braking power.
Your anti-lock brakes may keep the truck from lock-up (and loss of control), but the trailer brakes will help with the above, and result in shorter braking distances.