Any trailer over 1650 pounds needs brakes?

[Fordup]

Pretty surprised by what I have read about requirements for trailer brakes with a Ranger. I am looking for a lightweight aluminum single axle trailer for my mower and side by side. What I am finding is they put 3500 pound axles on them and derate them to 2990 gvw so they are not required by law to have brakes and even in some states don't need inspections. Looks like a special order is required to get brakes or going to a 5200 pound axle that most aluminum trailer manufacturers don't offer. I have found some expensive unicorns but not the size I want. Just surprised by the 1650 pound brake requirements. You can't even legally tow most pop up tent trailers at this number. A couple trailer dealers I have spoken to can't believe it either.

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[Radioman]

Pretty surprised by what I have read about requirements for trailer brakes with a Ranger. I am looking for a lightweight aluminum single axle trailer for my mower and side by side. What I am finding is they put 3500 pound axles on them and derate them to 2990 gvw so they are not required by law to have brakes and even in some states don't need inspections. Looks like a special order is required to get brakes or going to a 5200 pound axle that most aluminum trailer manufacturers don't offer. I have found some expensive unicorns but not the size I want. Just surprised by the 1650 pound brake requirements. You can't even legally tow most pop up tent trailers at this number. A couple trailer dealers I have spoken to can't believe it either.

I have noticed that different states have different requirements regarding trailer brakes. From the California DMV Handbook:
"In California, brakes are required on any trailer coach or camp trailer having a gross weight of 1500 lbs. or more. Usually the braking capacity on tow vehicles is good; however, it may not be good enough to safely stop the several hundred to several thousand additional pounds that your trailer weighs."

Of course, YMMV...

 

[Fordup]

The Ford guide states that the braking system on the truck is only rated for the gvwr and not the gcwr that really seems low for a truck. Just amazed by how many of the trailers they derate just to eliminate brakes. Then the guide says you can bumper tow 3500 pounds without mentioning anything about brakes. Just wanted to warn others looking for a small utility trailer.

 

[Joeiconic]

My understanding in GA is that trailers and cargo that have a combined actual gross weight of 3000 lbs or more requires brakes. The rated weight capacity of the axle doesn’t matter, but maybe I’m misunderstanding what you‘re saying.

 

[Fordup]

My understanding in GA is that trailers and cargo that have a combined actual gross weight of 3000 lbs or more requires brakes. The rated weight capacity of the axle doesn’t matter, but maybe I’m misunderstanding what your saying.

Yes, that's what I am saying, but if towing with a Ranger a trailer and load over 1650 pounds needs brakes. If you have 1000pounds of load and passengers in the Ranger a trailer over 650 pounds needs brakes. For some reason manufacturers have removed brakes and dropped the 3500 pound axle ratings to 2990 pounds to lower cost. But to be legal when towing with a Ranger you have to add brakes.

 

[Joeiconic]

Varies by location I guess, but as I read the attached, Ga. allows a gvwr up to 10,000 lbs in combination with a 3000 lb trailer before brakes are required.

https://dps.georgia.gov/sites/dps.g...al/cit_1210/12/14/162466397fact_sheet_054.pdf

 

[LowKeyTremor]

Do the brakes contained within a trailer count? Specifically, I’m referring to the hydraulic brakes that activate based on the vehicle slowing down… The trailer itself has a mechanism that is triggered by the weight pushing forward, therefore depressing the breaks.

I didn’t see anything about “ electric” breaks, only breaks.

I was surprised that my family wakeboard boat back in the day (2005 or so) didn’t need trailer brakes, as it was pretty heavy. I basically towed it with a three-quarter ton diesel but couple times towed it with a Ford Explorer (the older kind which were a little smaller than the ones of today.).

This is interesting info.

 

[Burnt Money]

This is an interesting thread. I have surge brakes on my boat trailer. Not sure how well the boat dealership dialed them in. Sunday I had a truck load of firewood and the boat loaded down with camping gear, fishing gear, large coolers and lots of other random stuff plus 3 people. I would like to what my weight was. It towed fine though.

 

[ControlNode]

This has been brought up before, and I've asked Ford to clarify that wording, 1650lb max with tow package unless the trailer has working brakes, but no mention on bumper towing to 3,500lb. I stated it's hard for me to not see that limit on both methods of towing if it's on either method. But they never answered the question, and that was over a year ago I asked. Most I got is that will need to go to a more technical department to answer.

 

[Fordup]

Do the brakes contained within a trailer count? Specifically, I’m referring to the hydraulic brakes that activate based on the vehicle slowing down… The trailer itself has a mechanism that is triggered by the weight pushing forward, therefore depressing the breaks.

I didn’t see anything about “ electric” breaks, only breaks.

I was surprised that my family wakeboard boat back in the day (2005 or so) didn’t need trailer brakes, as it was pretty heavy. I basically towed it with a three-quarter ton diesel but couple times towed it with a Ford Explorer (the older kind which were a little smaller than the ones of today.).

This is interesting info.

Electric or surge brakes are basically the same if the surge brakes are adjusted properly. Not sure about the response time with the EAB system though.

 

[LowKeyTremor]

Oh, thanks, you knew the actual name of the brakes that activate based on pressure from the boat or trailer, and its contents, pushing forward… SURGE BRAKES!!

I’ll try to commit that to memory

This is an interesting thread. I have surge brakes on my boat trailer. Not sure how well the boat dealership dialed them in. Sunday I had a truck load of firewood and the boat loaded down with camping gear, fishing gear, large coolers and lots of other random stuff plus 3 people. I would like to what my weight was. It towed fine though.

 

[Fordup]

This has been brought up before, and I've asked Ford to clarify that wording, 1650lb max with tow package unless the trailer has working brakes, but no mention on bumper towing to 3,500lb. I stated it's hard for me to not see that limit on both methods of towing if it's on either method. But they never answered the question, and that was over a year ago I asked. Most I got is that will need to go to a more technical department to answer.

I think it's related to the EAB system and any combination over the GVW minus load in the truck requires brakes on the trailer. Just surprised that 99% of the single axle trailers don't come with them and most dealers and owners are not informed. Ford definitely should break this down better in their trailer guide.

 

[Langwilliams]

I was under the impression they could tow 3500 without trailer brakes. I towed a 1500-1600 trailer with an 800-1000 pound garden tractor on it an didn't have a problem but I was very cautious about allowing plenty of stopping distance an didn't have to do any hard braking. I've done this on four occasions but it was only to bring a project home so it was like an hour or two each way an I went out of my way to avoid heavy traffic areas. If I did this regularly I might look at installing a trailer brake.

 

[Fordup]

I was under the impression they could tow 3500 without trailer brakes. I towed a 1500-1600 trailer with an 800-1000 pound garden tractor on it an didn't have a problem but I was very cautious about allowing plenty of stopping distance an didn't have to do any hard braking. I've done this on four occasions but it was only to bring a project home so it was like an hour or two each way an I went out of my way to avoid heavy traffic areas. If I did this regularly I might look at installing a trailer brake.

Not if you read the fine print in the towing guide. Surprised me also and should there be a problem it could become a large issue.

 

[mtbikernate]

Yes, that's what I am saying, but if towing with a Ranger a trailer and load over 1650 pounds needs brakes. If you have 1000pounds of load and passengers in the Ranger a trailer over 650 pounds needs brakes. For some reason manufacturers have removed brakes and dropped the 3500 pound axle ratings to 2990 pounds to lower cost. But to be legal when towing with a Ranger you have to add brakes.

and the threshold for cars that actually have tow ratings is even smaller. which is why I have 7 pin wiring and brake controller wiring installed in a Subaru Crosstrek. And my teardrop camper that weighs maybe 1400lbs loaded has trailer brakes, because the Crosstrek was the first vehicle I used to tow it.

It was really frustrating to me when seeking to install that wiring on the Crosstrek, because shops that "installed" the wiring would send me home telling me if I needed to tow something heavy enough to require trailer brakes, I shouldn't be towing it with the Crosstrek. They didn't seem to grasp that the sort of load that an F150 wouldn't even blink about without trailer brakes would require them according to Subaru's manual.

You absolutely can add brakes to a trailer that didn't come with them. And you can still order a trailer with them, even if you can't find one you want on a lot with brakes equipped.

Me, I'm not particularly bothered by the fact that the Ranger manual says I need brakes for loads over 1650lbs. I have brakes on my little camper, even though it's not quite heavy enough to need them (though I suppose I could hit that threshold if I've got a bunch of stuff in the bed when I'm towing). I have a brake controller in the Ranger. If I rent a trailer, it's probably going to be a uhaul that has surge brakes. If I borrow someone else's trailer, I guess I have to pay attention to what I'm doing, but I've only borrowed 1 trailer from someone I knew 1 time in my entire life. I'd eventually like to buy a little utility trailer so I can take my riding mower to be serviced, but the trailer + mower will be well under the weight where it would need to have brakes, so that case doesn't matter.

I suppose it's a little frustrating for your particular situation, but regardless of the truck's manual recommendations/requirements, I think I'd still want brakes on such a trailer (and the loads you intend to pull) if I was planning to pull it with a midsize pickup. I suppose you're just going to have to special order the trailer you need.

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