Trailer Brakes

[TedderX]

I've never had any trailers brakes on any trailer I've used.

What are the real advantages of them, especially offroad?

Are there any disadvantages?

 

[Longtallsally]

I'm fairly new to them, but I can tell you, they make a HUGE difference in confidence in driving. Prior to our popup camper I never had them before and now wonder how I ever did without. Now I've never had a huge truck made for towing, but with the Jeep it feels much safer and is is very confidence inspiring.

 

[toymaster]

Properly adjusted trailer brakes activate just before the vic brakes. With this action the vic and trailer tend to stay in a straight line. The opposite happens when there are no trailer brakes; the trailer tries to push the vic as you stop. The heavier the trailer and/or shorter the vic wheelbase the more important it is to have trailer brakes.

During off-road situations the trailer brakes can be activated to hold the vic back while going downhill thereby giving the operator more control. In addition, the trailer brake break-a-way battery set-up can be used as a temporary parking brake to help during connecting the trailer in the inevitable less than optimal situations.

 

[JPNCA]

Don't get confused between a parking break on the old military trailers and trailer breaks that break with the tow vehicle.

 

[brentbba]

x2 on what toymaster said. I've had electric brakes on my M101CDN for awhile now and very happy with that decision.

 

[Pikeman]

Trailer brakes help reduce wear on vehicle brakes when towing and help keep things in a shorter safer stopping distance as opposed to towing a trailer without brakes. Off road they help keep the trailer from pushing you down hill or can be activated to assist in holding your position. I would recommend electric trailer brakes over the tongue activated surge brake style.

 

[Arlo]

Trailer brakes are great! No doubt.
But.
It might be tricky in off road terrain!
Downhill they are welcome, uphill without reverse stop they might get you into trouble when the towing vehicle recognizes it's too steep!

Without a reverse stop you might be traped.:yikes:

 

[Martyn]

Trailer brakes are great! No doubt.
But.
It might be tricky in off road terrain!
Downhill they are welcome, uphill without reverse stop they might get you into trouble when the towing vehicle recognizes it's too steep!

Without a reverse stop you might be traped.:yikes:

Arlo, in North America trailer brakes are typically electric brakes that are powered using a brake controller in the tow vehicle. The system is energized through the brake light circuit and the power to the brakes set through the controller. Some brake controllers have momentum sensors that increase the power to the trailer brakes in proportion too the speed the vehicle is stopping.

Electric brakes work in forward and reverse directions unlike the mechanical override brakes that are typical in Europe.

Huge advantages using trailer brakes both on and off road, lots of techniques for using the trailer brakes when on the dirt. AT teaches classes on the methodology to our owners and at the Overland Expo. Techniques for allowing the trailer to go over an obstacle, and others to make the trailer go around an obstacle. Use of the trailer brakes in conjunction with the vehicle and independent of the vehicle.

When you need brakes in an emergency situation six brakes is always better than four.

 

[srgsng25]

where is the best place to get a brake kit for a new trail build i am heading out to find a axle hoping to find treasure at the junk yard

 

[Woods]

Makes me wish you guys were still in Cali. I'd pay for that trailer braking course.

Huge advantages using trailer brakes both on and off road, lots of techniques for using the trailer brakes when on the dirt. AT teaches classes on the methodology to our owners and at the Overland Expo. Techniques for allowing the trailer to go over an obstacle, and others to make the trailer go around an obstacle. Use of the trailer brakes in conjunction with the vehicle and independent of the vehicle.

 

[Woods]

I do some pretty extreme stuff with my trailer. Posted about trailer brakes last week, in my build thread;

I answered one of my own questions this past weekend and thought I share what I learned.

I was planning to run the North Side of Afton Canyon and knew that there would be a VERY steep blow sand hill that I'd have to go down. I wanted to take my trailer on the trip, but didn't want to take it down the hill without brakes. I knew the brakes would help, but was still very concerned. So my question was how much would the brakes help...

So I spent last week installing brakes on the trailer.

I honestly believe that the brakes turned the trailer from a liability to an asset on this very steep hill. Out of the 7 or 8 rigs that went down, I think I had the easiest time. I locked the brakes up and easily dragged the trailer down the hill. No side sliding on the Jeep at all. I know that setting your parking brake a little will help keep you strait while descending a hill on sand, but chose not to do that. I wonder if it helps when pulling a trailer???

 

[Arlo]

Hmmm,...
@Martyn
Electrical breakes are not legal in Germany I guess.
Wikipedia shows me they aren't aible to fix it.
How does it work when the towed wheel doesn't turn?
Do you have a smart link for me?
Even how does it work all in all?

Greatings beeing lightly confused about that.

Kurt

 

[Ace Brown]

Hey y'all, it's brakes, not breaks. ;-)

I agree with the consensus that brakes are good. Also have been to A/T trailer training and seen how hand activated brakes can help you maneuver through tight spots. A point on surge brakes not mentioned is that they can engage when backing up a hill. :-(

 

[srgsng25]

Ok i know this is going sound like i am clueless but i really am in the department of breaking systems

ok any how... i am planning to get junk yard axle and then change over to a electric breaking system form what i am understanding i will loose the ability to use the E-break cable as a parking break once i change out the drums do i just go back to using chocks as my parking breaks? or is there a better solution?

thanks everyone for putting up with my stupid question

 

[Ace Brown]

Ok i know this is going sound like i am clueless but i really am in the department of breaking systems

ok any how... i am planning to get junk yard axle and then change over to a electric breaking system form what i am understanding i will loose the ability to use the E-break cable as a parking break once i change out the drums do i just go back to using chocks as my parking breaks? or is there a better solution?

thanks everyone for putting up with my stupid question

I have been told by a trailer builder, Aspen Trailers, that an E-brake can be fitted. I have not investigated this myself but will when I install brakes soon. As someone posted earlier, you can activate the breakaway switch for a temporary parking brake. Note the two different uses of break and brake above.