Tow rig brakes--Let's see some honest answers!

[ToughBowtieTruck]

I'd like your honest opinions on this.  For those that don't, why? For those that don't have a break-away system, how come?

My dad never used trailer braking systems, and he's had his share of bad results from it. When I got into the bigger trailers I realized trailer brakes are an amazing thing to have, let alone required by law on trailers over 3,000 lbs.

Thoughts?

[rangerwheelinmike]

no brake away system or trailer brakes it stops just fine!

[afoxrider169]

Me personally I would have trailer brakes and a break away system better to be safe than sorry just my opinion

[Disturban]

What exactly is a break away system? I never heard the term before...just wondering?

[Boggerram87]

The Break Away Is A System Is If The Trailer Comes Off The Truck It Automaticly Locks Up The Trailer Brakes

[xjs3667]

on my big trailers yes brakes, chains and break away brakes.

One Thing I definately believe in is the chains, Driving down I69 around 3am trailer was full or close to it with around 10k lbs on it and I guess my old man forgot to put the hitch pin in, well the pintle hitch came right out of the reciever and the spark show began lol. only one on the road that night was a semi who was behind us and he slowed to almost to a stop, surprised the chains held but they did and got us off the road, we didnt know what the hell happend untill we took a look...... I gotta check my old mans work alot  but not when hes lookin

What exactly is a break away system? I never heard the term before...just wondering?

break away system, utilizes a battery mounted on the trailer and a cable and a switch, that if God forbid the trailer does disconnect from the tow rig and the safety chains fail it will pull the plug on the switch and automatically lock up the trailer brakes so it doesnt go on its own path of destruction at 60mph    

How often do you guys check the bat. on the trailer?  I check every time I use it. I have found they like to go bad alot, ended up installing a marine battery and a little solar charger so the bat stays charged when not pluged into vehicle

[black07ss]

Just got my trailer, looks like it has brakes on all 4 wheels.  When I get it all done I will have them working.  I'm not sure exactly how much the breakaway system is. I may have to invest in one. When I use to work for uhaul there trailers have hydraulic systems so no need for a brake booster or extra battery.

[ProGrade]

I have one trailer with brakes both axles and a breakaway, and one with brakes on one axle. I plan on upgrading this one if I get to the point of pulling it on the freeway

[BIG DOG]

i have the break away with 4 wheel brake    but my battery is dead    at this moment  dont use it much over the winter  lol   it'll have a new 1

[Mudduck]

One trailer has brake but never had worked due to wiring issue and my 5th wheel car hauler has working brake but need attention and both don't have break away kit ... Why... I don't know.... It was like that when I got it... I should put one in each trailere

[marshall]

brakes just slow you down...

[4x4xdodgeman]

my trailer is 5th wheel and it did not come with safety chains or break away kit. it was made back in 1976 by hillbors.

[BigFrank]

brakes on the trailer but not wired  need to get em hooked up makes things alot safer and easier to drive in hilly areas also saves on the truck brakes

[RedneckMudder]

yea i believe in brakes and break away systems we just got all of the brakes working and installed a break away system on the equipment trailer we got from Blake. If my trailer came off and killed someone and it could have been prevented by the breakaway system it would be hard to live with that for the rest of your life. We also always put extra heavy duty safety chains on our stuff, some of these trailers have small chains that look like they would barely hold a dog to a tree

[xjs3667]

I personally prefer the electric break away of the hydro.  cost a lot less.   A complete elec. break away system will cost just under 50 bux if you do it your self, thats including the bat. but if you got a bat. laying around the actual switch is like 10-20 bux  either way little money spent compared to if something goes wrong.... safety insurance, oh and if your trailer were to fall off (this is with 5th wheels too) its a big big ticket if there are no safety chains or break away system

It seems like every year when we go camping theres always someone that forgets to lock the pin in on there 5th wheel lol I kid you not every year I see it as there leaving the campground, some times there lucky if they have a tail gate and it catches it, most times they dont. we was at 7 lakes camping a couple years ago and as the guy was climbing the hill out of the park here goes his 5th wheel ripped off his tailgate and bumper and rolled down the hill into the lake, Felt bad for the guy but as I was helping him out he said he must of forgot to put the pin in, and it was too much time to hook up chains and break away cable, it takes what an extra 2min at the most, I just laughed and said well you were asking for it and just walked away, I cant help stupid nor do I have any tolerance for it when it comes to safety

[michigan maniac]

I have brakes on my trailer but they don't work, it has old mobile home axles under it and the brake shoes are delaminated, and when I called to get some replacement parts they say that the brakes are non-serviceable,  I deff want brakes just need to find an alternative to the setup that's currently on it

[Colorado]

No trailer brakes (it's heavy) and dd has rear drum. Stoppin ain't fun but I'm accustomed to driving like a loaded tanker so I'm good.

[BUDGETBOGGER03]

trailer dont have brakes i only tow a snowmobile trailer with 1 quad lol

[TOMAC]

Not trying to be a dick but if you have a half ass rigged trailer get off the road.... spend the money be safe fix the brakes guys

[Bowtie972]

I have 4 wheel brakes and breakaway.  My breakaway battery needs to be replaced though.