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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

trailer brakes, which axle?

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Bob Collins

04-11-2007 06:06:30

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I'm finally going to install brakes on my trailer and peeked under a couple at the local dealer. I was surprised to see brakes on the rear axle, I had supposed they should be on the front. What do you think? Thanks for your input.

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souNdguy

04-12-2007 07:52:52

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Depending on what state you are in, what the capacity of the trailer is, and when it was built.. the trailers may have only needed 1 brake axle.. or didn't need it at all but had it out of convienience.

My 2 trailers a car hauler and a horse trailer have tandems.. with the rear axle being the brake axle. this was legal in fl when they were built / bought / their weight classification.

They are dexter axles.. parts are east to find.. and I found the entire e-brake system pretty easy to work with when ihad to rewire it a while back..

Soundguy

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Don L C

04-11-2007 21:18:01

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

If your trailor has 2 axles, then you need brakes on 2 axles..... ..... anything else and you are cutting corners..... dealers have trailers because they ordered them that way..... brakes on one axle is a bunch cheaper..... .I pulled a heavy trailer,with one axle brakes one time,never again..... .some guys spend the money on chrome and paint..... .Don

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JWCinMS

04-11-2007 19:22:03

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Bob,

I missed the "LOL" on your comment about your truck brakes. Sadly I have met too many people who would add brakes to their trailer because there truck just did not stop well enough anymore. The old days don't count anymore because the traffic is so much heavier and so many people have no clue how long it takes to stop the truck they are pulling in front of or nothing matters except their right to squeeze into any spot car will fit in regardless of how fast the traffic is going. As I have gotten older I don't care much for having my knuckles turn white and pulling that square yard of seat covering out of the pucker some idiot caused me to have. I have a Tekonisha controller with the inertia mass sensor for current control and knobs to set the delay and starting level for the current in my main truck. I pull a 12000# equipment trailer and a 7500# 27' travel trailer both with brakes on both axles and am very pleased. The controller also has a slide for manual activation. I have seen a few that did not, I would avoid them. I have seen a few places where I had to make a sharp turn at the bottom of a small hill or driveway where there was loose gravel and it's a lot nicer to be able to apply some braking force to the trailer and not have the truck wheels skid when trying to make the turn in the gravel. I spent a lot of time pulling a tandem axle nurse tank/support trailer on gravel roads and it would let you know which end of the dog was wagging the other end. Maybe some of the war stories that the older guys tell will save a Newbie some day or direct them to ask the right questions. Once again have a good day!

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Bob Collins

04-12-2007 11:19:07

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to JWCinMS, 04-11-2007 19:22:03

JWC, My trailer is a "custom built" as a car hauler, 16' but well made. Tandem axles and no brakes. I have hauled my John Deere A very short distances ( less than 10 miles) but did not enjoy it. Most times it has a JD B or LA or smaller loads, and I have yet to haul anything more than 100 miles. I realize one mile is plenty to have a mishap and safety is what keeps me looking far ahead with any load. My F-250 does a good job stopping on the mostly flat roads around here, but more stopping power is always better. Being thrifty (tight) I would like to spend less on the trailer and more on the fun stuff BUT... You guys have given me lots of good advice and I thank you all. Even if the brakes only end up on one axle now, I can always add another later before loading heavier stuff.

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JWCinMS

04-12-2007 15:29:48

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-12-2007 11:19:07

Bob,

Sounds like a good plan. I have a similar trailer and I bought brakes for 1 axle, but had to upgrade for a larger tractor before I installed them and replaced the trailer. It is still my favorite trailer to pull and will get the brakes one of these days.

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JWCinMS

04-11-2007 18:54:44

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Bob, You have not mentioned how much you have been hauling or how much you plan to haul or if you live in the flatlands or the hills. I am not preaching, but if you already had trailer brakes you might not be having trouble with your truck brakes. Hauling 5000 to 7000 pounds on any kind of regular basis with a lot of stopping (without trailer brakes) will heat up and warp the rotors on a truck in a hurry especially half-tons even if they are rated for that level of towing. If your hauling 8N Fords in level country one brake axle should be fine, but may not be legal. If your going to be hauling G John Deeres and Super M Farmalls don't waste your time on a trailer with a pair of 3500# axles and get brakes on both/all axles of what ever you get. Some insurance companies may not cover your vehicle at all in the event you have an accident that was caused by inadequate equipment. I wish you well, it is good that you are working on getting set up properly and are seeking advice. My trailers that have had one brake axle had them on the rear axle.

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Ryan - WI

04-11-2007 16:39:15

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Judging by the fact that this trailer did not originally have brakes I am going to assume that it is a lighter tandem like a 7000# car trailer. If that is the case I would put them on the rear axle. I have a Falcon and it came factory with brakes on the rear. I can stop quicker with a load on the trailer and the brakes on than I can with just the truck so I wouldn't worry about both axles. If this is something heavier (10,000# +) then I would seriosuly consider both axles.

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KCTractors

04-11-2007 16:29:03

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

I had brakes only on the back axle on a car-hauler, but after pulling a RV with both axles having brakes, I installed brakes on the second axle on the car-hauler. Makes a big difference.

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centralilbaler

04-11-2007 15:12:53

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

I like to have brakes on all axles also. If nothing else it gives me confidence that i can slow down and avoid damaging my tractors lol

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buickanddeere

04-11-2007 14:17:39

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

All axles. Why reduce your stopping distance to save a couple of dollars?

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04-11-2007 11:03:23

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Laws vary by state and weight, preferred standard now is both axles on twin axles- possibly at 10,000 lbs or above?. Old practice of back axle was under the idea that front axle on wet/snowy road would act act road clearer for back axle -would reduce lockup/skids when braking, help maintian control. When running empty and brakes applied may lock brakes- having front axle rolling also maintained control. About like old practice of not haveing front brakes on semi tractors. RN

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Larry Larson

04-11-2007 10:29:57

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

If you're going to the trouble of running the wires, installing the controller, connector, etc. do you really really want to have only half the braking power on the trailer that you have on the truck? My two cents. By The Way, those cheap brake controllers are cheap for a reason, and are just as much work to install as a good one. Maybe more work, actually. (I upgraded to a Prodigy and am VERY pleased.)

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RickL

04-11-2007 09:50:18

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Both

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Circus

04-11-2007 09:06:50

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

My free advice is worth every cent. which axle makes no difference. weight transfer when slowing is nil.

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Joe(TX)

04-12-2007 05:49:15

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Circus, 04-11-2007 09:06:50

Actually it does make a differance which axle it is on. The braking torque causes the weight to transfer to the rear axle ans lift on the front because of the equalizers.

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mph

04-11-2007 08:56:25

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

I have an older trailer, brakes on the front axle. But its only rated at five ton.

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old

04-11-2007 08:17:06

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Its best to have them on all axles but the older ones had them on the rear axle. I just went out and looked at 2 trailors I have and both are set up with only the back axle having brakes

Hobby farm

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BFO

04-11-2007 07:56:09

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

When I'm not sure I just check to see which axle has brakes on my truck and take it from there >;-))

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Bob Collins

04-11-2007 12:47:33

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to BFO, 04-11-2007 07:56:09

Well, see there's the problem. I'm putting brakes on the trailer because I figured it's cheaper than fixing the brakes on the truck. LOL Thanks to all for your thoughts.

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Captain Typo

04-11-2007 06:24:37

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Both axles for me too.

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RustyFarmall

04-11-2007 06:21:43

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Most states now require brakes on all axles. Do it right the first time and you will not need to do it again.

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Joe(TX)

04-11-2007 06:09:42

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

Should be on both axles. The back axle is better if only on one axle.

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JDB

04-11-2007 06:08:55

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to Bob Collins, 04-11-2007 06:06:30

I like to have brakes on both axles

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BarryfromIA

04-11-2007 17:59:37

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Re: trailer brakes, which axle? in reply to JDB, 04-11-2007 06:08:55

Brakes on all axles is safer. If some one pulls out in front of you, you will wish for more axles and more brakes.

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