Do I need trailer brakes?

[gcan]

My truck is a 2019 Lariat with tow package - I am buying a 20 foot pontoon, dry weight 1400 pounds. I’m having to pick up the boat about 3 hours away. Once I get it to the lake I’ll only pull it out to be serviced or if I have a problem that requires the dealer which is an hour away.
I never towed a boat this far and never towed anything with the Ranger…..will I need to have trailer brake installed?

thanks in advance for any recommendations
Greg

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[jsphlynch]

My truck is a 2019 Lariat with tow package - I am buying a 20 foot pontoon, dry weight 1400 pounds. I’m having to pick up the boat about 3 hours away. Once I get it to the lake I’ll only pull it out to be serviced or if I have a problem that requires the dealer which is an hour away.
I never towed a boat this far and never towed anything with the Ranger…..will I need to have trailer brake installed?

thanks in advance for any recommendations
Greg

You're going to get a whole bunch of different answers here, as different people are going to have different definitions of "need." You'll probably be just fine without a brake controller, but how much faith do you want to put in "probably"?

Check the requirements in whichever state(s) you will be towing. That may settle the question really quickly.

Since you would rarely be using the brake controller, maybe consider a remote controller (like the Curt Echo), since that is a simple and relatively inexpensive option.

 

[Marpater]

First question

Does the trailer have electric brakes or surge brakes?

 

[k1w1t1m]

Hopefully the trailer has surge brakes. Electrics and water don't mix to well. If it does have surge brakes you won't need anything.

 

[gcan]

It comes with a standard trailer, no braking options

 

[k1w1t1m]

Does the trailer even have brakes?

 

[WhyNot21]

It has no brakes, so that should give you your answer.

 

[Frenchy]

My truck is a 2019 Lariat with tow package - I am buying a 20 foot pontoon, dry weight 1400 pounds. I’m having to pick up the boat about 3 hours away. Once I get it to the lake I’ll only pull it out to be serviced or if I have a problem that requires the dealer which is an hour away.
I never towed a boat this far and never towed anything with the Ranger…..will I need to have trailer brake installed?

thanks in advance for any recommendations
Greg

To my understanding boat trailers that do have trailer brakes are hydraulic controls on the trailer itself. More like a search type break if that makes sense. Thankfully due to that you should not have to worry about a brake controller on your own truck for that. With that said it probably wouldn't hurt to go ahead and get a brake controller on your truck just in case you pull another trailer that requires the electric brake

 

[gcan]

Okay - the tech at the dealer just got back to me and the trailer does have brakes so I should be good, sorry to have wasted the time

 

[THLONE]

Since you are in AL I am not worried.

 

[Joeiconic]

Okay - the tech at the dealer just got back to me and the trailer does have brakes so I should be good, sorry to have wasted the time

Surge brakes? If not, you’ll need a way to control them.

 

[VTRanger]

Okay - the tech at the dealer just got back to me and the trailer does have brakes so I should be good, sorry to have wasted the time

I am guessing most of us on this forum have some time to waste, or we wouldn't be here.

 

[jsphlynch]

I am guessing most of us on this forum have some time to waste, or we wouldn't be here.

I don't, but I haven't let that stop me yet!

 

[JoeC]

Okay - the tech at the dealer just got back to me and the trailer does have brakes so I should be good, sorry to have wasted the time

Yea, boat trailers, if necessary, have their own brakes.
They can't be electric (due to being in the water), so there's nothing your truck can do with an electric controller.
Make sense?
You're good to go.
Enjoy your boating.
Don't slip on the ramp and submerge you truck.

 

[KJRR]

Don't slip on the ramp and submerge you truck.

And if you do submerge your truck, make sure someone gets video so we can all enjoy!
I haven't witnessed that yet in person but did see someone trying to pull a 26 ft boat out of the water with a mid-sized front drive suv. Was fun to watch him create lots of smoke with the tires and slide back and forth across the ramp. Then back further into the water almost hitting another boat and finally get it out of the water. Everyone cheered.

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