To Brake or not to Brake?
- Thread starter Scoutman
- Start date
tclaremont
Observer
It is impossible to answer without knowing the specs on the tow vehicle. If you are using an underpowered vehicle to start with, adding brakes will be more recommended than if you are starting with a good sized tow vehicle.
There are also state regulations, so you might want to start there.
In my opinion, it is better to have them, and not need them than to need them and not have them. It has less to do with you and your driving ability than it does with the guy in a civic that cuts you off at 65 mph. I consider brakes on the trailer very cheap insurance.
There are also state regulations, so you might want to start there.
In my opinion, it is better to have them, and not need them than to need them and not have them. It has less to do with you and your driving ability than it does with the guy in a civic that cuts you off at 65 mph. I consider brakes on the trailer very cheap insurance.
Scoutman
Explorer
Sorry, I should have added more details. There would be 2 possible tow rigs. One would be my Dodge Ram 3500 diesel with a slide in truck camper. The other would be my wife's JK Unlimited Rubicon. I'm less concerned with the truck as I would be the Jeep but I know that they could be useful on both and of course the added 'insurance' of just having them would be nice. I'd have to get a brake controller and new wiring harness in the JK as it's not setup for anything other than 4 pin.
willywaxer
New member
It depends more on the weight of your trailer than anything else. Small 1/4 ton military type trailers do not typically need brakes unless they are overloaded. I took the surge brakes off my M416A1 when I changed axles. No problems stopping the trailer with my JKU.
tclaremont
Observer
The JK is only rated to tow 2000 or 3500 lbs depending on how it is equipped. With that being said, I hate towing anything more than about 2000 lbs with my JK both because of low engine output and less than spectacular brakes. If an auto trans, they are notoriously easy to overheat (the trans, not the engine).
So, with all of that being said, I would consider brakes and a brake controller just about mandatory when towing with the JK if the trailer weighs any more than 2000 lbs.
So, with all of that being said, I would consider brakes and a brake controller just about mandatory when towing with the JK if the trailer weighs any more than 2000 lbs.
wjeeper
Active member
As long as you keep the weight down on the trailer I think you are probably just fine without brakes. Off-road I could see brakes being handy in a few situations. For example say you are going down a steep loose hill: you could lock the trailer brakes so the drag helps keep the trailer strait. (this would of course require a controller that you can manually actuate the brakes with)
If you ordered an axle without brakes but snagged one that already had the mounting flange it wouldn't be a big deal to bolt them up and run the wire if you decide you need them.
If you ordered an axle without brakes but snagged one that already had the mounting flange it wouldn't be a big deal to bolt them up and run the wire if you decide you need them.
I love the brakes on my adventure trailer. I had always figured a small trailer didnt need them but if you pull the trailer in the mountains or in traffic the brakes are great. I feel safe driving anywhere and in any weather conditions when I know my brakes are working properly. They make a world of differnece.
alosix
Expedition Leader
I've done this on a few occasions with my M101 trailer's big drum parking brakes. Its been very handy offroad in more technical downhills.
My TJ stops it pretty good without brakes/brake controller on the road, but there's a few times I would have loved to have some brakes on the trailer as well.
Antichrist
Expedition Leader
There's also the other drivers on the road. Breakaway kits make it a bit safer. At least in some respects.
I also prefer having them and not needing them, than the opposite.
I also prefer having them and not needing them, than the opposite.
To add to the discussion, other than costs, there are no downsides to having breaks. You can use them or not, as you choose.
One benefit not mentioned is that you can get parking breaks on some e brake set ups, and I have found parking brakes to be very, very useful.
As far as wiring up a JKU, its not difficult and Mopar offers a seven pin plug and play harness that also retains the factory four pin. There is no controller plug and play harnesses available, but the wiring is easy according to posts on Jeep forums and according to the guys that installed mine. The Prodigy P2 is the controller I got, and it allows mounting in a wide variety of positions. Mine is mounted to the right of and below the steering wheel and is inconspicuous. I can easily reach the controler to adjust and can activate the hand control as well without issue. The controller can be moved between my JKU and my 2500 Suburban as well, and there are plug and play controller harnesses available for my Suburban, your Ram truck and other more common tow vehicles as well.
Regarding the JKU brakes, I have found them entirely satisfactory and do not find my JKU under breaked, even with a Hemi engine, 37's and the added weight of aftermarket bumpers, winch, aluminum skids front to back, a small Engel fridge, a srorage box in the rear. Or when towing ~2,000lb breakless trailers. When my oem brakes wear out, I may upgrade, but only because the upgrade costs so little more than going back with oem.
JPK
One benefit not mentioned is that you can get parking breaks on some e brake set ups, and I have found parking brakes to be very, very useful.
As far as wiring up a JKU, its not difficult and Mopar offers a seven pin plug and play harness that also retains the factory four pin. There is no controller plug and play harnesses available, but the wiring is easy according to posts on Jeep forums and according to the guys that installed mine. The Prodigy P2 is the controller I got, and it allows mounting in a wide variety of positions. Mine is mounted to the right of and below the steering wheel and is inconspicuous. I can easily reach the controler to adjust and can activate the hand control as well without issue. The controller can be moved between my JKU and my 2500 Suburban as well, and there are plug and play controller harnesses available for my Suburban, your Ram truck and other more common tow vehicles as well.
Regarding the JKU brakes, I have found them entirely satisfactory and do not find my JKU under breaked, even with a Hemi engine, 37's and the added weight of aftermarket bumpers, winch, aluminum skids front to back, a small Engel fridge, a srorage box in the rear. Or when towing ~2,000lb breakless trailers. When my oem brakes wear out, I may upgrade, but only because the upgrade costs so little more than going back with oem.
JPK
brentbba
Explorer
Late to the party, but another vote FOR brakes. My M101 is well short of the 1500 lbs that make trailer brakes mandatory here in the Peoples Republik of California, but I put them on anyway and couldn't be happier with them. Better safe than sorry with the added braking power on the trailer. Don't forget a good brake controller if you are going electric and not surge. Prodigy is an excellent choice.
Scoutman
Explorer
I have a prodigy in my truck and have been pleased so that's probably the way I'll go for the Jeep too.