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View Full Version : Does an tandem axle trailer have to have brakes?

MCMURRAYHARDSCAPES
11-28-2008, 11:42 PM
does a tandem trailer have to have brakes? im in ohio and i have no idea what the law is. its a 6.5x16' trailer with 2 axles and it doesnt say that it has brakes, and if it does what do i need to run in my truck to hook them up? thanks.guys :dizzy:
hosejockey2002
11-28-2008, 11:48 PM
A tandem axle trailer should have brakes. I think federal standards say that any trailer over 3500 GVWR must be built with brakes. Brakes on both axles are better than one. If the trailer does not have brakes at all it's probably a redneck home-built special that is better avoided. To operate trailer brakes you need an electric brake controller that mounts in your truck.
lawnbutch
11-28-2008, 11:52 PM
In Colorado I think both need brakes.
OrangeToys
11-29-2008, 12:45 AM
why would you not want brakes? If you have/looking at a tandem axle trailer most likely its a big trailer made to pull a lot of wieght and the brakes are making it easier to stop the trailer and not having the trailer wieght all on the the trucks brakes.
lawnman_scott
11-29-2008, 12:47 AM
does a tandem trailer have to have brakes? im in ohio and i have no idea what the law is. its a 6.5x16' trailer with 2 axles and it doesnt say that it has brakes, and if it does what do i need to run in my truck to hook them up? thanks.guys :dizzy:Regaurdless of the law, it really should have brakes. It sounds like the trailer has brakes, so all you need is a brake controller. You will notice a huge difference with them. It is less than $200 to have one installed for you, and is well worth it.
MCMURRAYHARDSCAPES
11-29-2008, 12:52 AM
i just emailed tyhe owner and he said that it does not have brakes. and i saw the pic its def. not a homemade piece of shyt.?
greenred
11-29-2008, 01:09 AM
You are going to want brakes. I have a 18x8 foot trailer with dual axles, and I could not imagine using it loaded with my equipment with out it being braked.
Oldtimer
11-29-2008, 01:14 AM
Check with your insurance company. If your trailer does not comply with existing regulations in your state a post accident investigation would not be pretty.


Oldtimer
topsites
11-29-2008, 02:45 AM
Most states require by law that at least one axle has brakes.
Some states require that all axles have brakes.
To determine how many brakes are necessary in a state,
contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Gravel Rat
11-29-2008, 03:26 AM
If it has no brakes I wouldn't buy it. I don't know where your from, here any trailer over 1500lbs needs brakes.
Tadams
11-29-2008, 11:22 AM
What are you gonna carry on the trailer? What are you gonna pull the trailer with- 3/4 or one ton truck? Are you mechanically inclined enough to put brakes on a trailer- it's not very difficult? Are you getting the trailer at a really good price? Is it cheap enough that you could buy brakes and install them and still have a good deal in it? You can buy brakes from Northern Tool.
TXNSLighting
11-30-2008, 01:28 AM
In texas they dont have to have brakes. Mine doesnt. And its a manufactured trailer. Actually my last 2 16 foots havent had brakes.
GravelyNut
11-30-2008, 11:41 AM
If the trailer runs around empty 99% of the time, they are worthless. But the one % of the time you have a load, you'll wish you had them. State laws vary so you have to do as said above, Check with your DMV. Fed law states how fast a trailer and tow vehicle must be able to stop. No matter where you are in the US. Fail that test and it can be fine time. Not having brakes or a controller in some states mean automatic fail.

Towing a loaded trailer in the over 2000lb range in hills without brakes is just plain stupid.
Even empty, your brakes on a 5K or up trailer should be set to apply even at the lowest controller setting. You don't want them to lockup though.

For who to contact see: http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm
AAA #73 is the latest.
Also for 2006 http://www.campinglife.com/output.cfm?id=1047259

And for those of you in Texas, wakeup. 4500lbs or greater do require brakes.
GravelyNut
11-30-2008, 11:59 AM
In texas they dont have to have brakes. Mine doesnt. And its a manufactured trailer. Actually my last 2 16 foots havent had brakes.

Texas laws, section 547.401 requires them over 4500lbs gvw and moving at more than 30 mph.
http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/547.401.00.html
And in an accident, it will be reported.
MCMURRAYHARDSCAPES
11-30-2008, 01:02 PM
k thanks guys. ur help was all too helpfull, i decided on a 6.5x12 instead to be pulled by my f-150
TXNSLighting
11-30-2008, 10:26 PM
Texas laws, section 547.401 requires them over 4500lbs gvw and moving at more than 30 mph.
http://law.onecle.com/texas/transportation/547.401.00.html
And in an accident, it will be reported.

Well then both dealers in this town dont know this...Cuz they carry both, With or without brakes. Ive never had a problem not having brakes.

My mowing equip weighed a bit over 3k and my cummins never had a problem stopping it. But o well.

These are 16 ft trailers with with 3500# axles. Anything bigger i require brakes. But that small...my truck can stop it with ease.
TXNSLighting
11-30-2008, 10:27 PM
k thanks guys. ur help was all too helpfull, i decided on a 6.5x12 instead to be pulled by my f-150

hopefully its not to small for you.
J.A.G LAWNCARE
11-30-2008, 10:32 PM
hopefully its not to small for you.

is that what you asked your girlfriend ???:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
TXNSLighting
11-30-2008, 11:28 PM
is that what you asked your girlfriend ???:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

Wow, i deserved that...:hammerhead:
MCMURRAYHARDSCAPES
12-01-2008, 01:07 AM
i have a 5x14' now and a 6.5x10 is about the same sq. footage. so i think ill be okay. as soon as i sell my 5x14' ill be getting the 10'er i have to get rid of the new trailer but its not wide enough for my mowers. thanks guys.

:cool2: <<i love this guy! haha
ProTouch Groundscapes
12-01-2008, 08:47 AM
Ohio law does require brakes on that sized trailer. I once called a dealer asking if one of their 16' trailers had brakes on it and they said they were required by law.
IdealLawnCare
12-03-2008, 05:54 PM
My open tandom 6.5x16 trailer does not have brakes either so it is only licensed for 3500 lbs. so even though it can carry a lot more weight legally I cant. In minnesota a tandom trailer licensed at 7000 lbs needs brakes on both axels. So I think it is what the trailer is licensed for.
MCMURRAYHARDSCAPES
12-03-2008, 08:01 PM
is it hard to stop the trailer with it full of sticks and shrubs?
IdealLawnCare
12-03-2008, 11:10 PM
No, the trailer itself does not weigh that much and hauling a mower and some grass clipping, branches or leaves does not weigh more than 3500 lbs.

Not far from here there is two online auction companies that deal in salvage and insurance things, so I am watching for a salvage trailer that would have brakes that I can use on my axels.
newyankeelawn
10-02-2009, 02:24 PM
Federal Law Requires you to have brakes on all axles if your GVWR is over 3000lbs. I found this out the hard way in Roswell, Ga

Here is the link fellas! cut and paste!

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/FmcsrGuideDetails.aspx?menukey=393