Do I need trailer brakes?

[gcan]

I just hope you guys didn’t just jinx me

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[Aonarch]

What kind of brakes does the trailer have though?

Surge since its a boat trailer?

 

[Marpater]

What ever do you mean our race boat has electric brakes on the trailer

 

[gcan]

I didn’t ask what kind,
The boat can come with a trailer with brakes or without and they said the trailer with mine has brakes

 

[WhyNot21]

I didn’t ask what kind,
The boat can come with a trailer with brakes or without and they said the trailer with mine has brakes

I'll put money on it that they're surge brakes, not powered.

 

[JoeC]

I'll put money on it that they're surge brakes, not powered.

Just FYI, and I'm NO expert....
When I trailered my boat with surge brakes, I needed a minimum 5 pin connector.
A 4 pin gives you lights, brakes, turn signals.
A 5 pin gives you the backup lights.
Why? Because, without it, if you backup, the surge module figures you're braking and will apply the brakes, so you can't backup!
So, if your trailer, with surge brakes, comes with the round 7pin connector, I'd say you're good to go.
If it comes with a 5pin, you'll have to get a 7-5 adapter at the auto store (assuming you already have the round 7pin on your truck).
Again, I'm no expert .... just a heads up.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Since the trailers has brakes, for safety I would use them

Easiest way is with the Curt Echo

As others said you will find many differing opinions here

 

[mtbikernate]

Just FYI, and I'm NO expert....
When I trailered my boat with surge brakes, I needed a minimum 5 pin connector.
A 4 pin gives you lights, brakes, turn signals.
A 5 pin gives you the backup lights.
Why? Because, without it, if you backup, the surge module figures you're braking and will apply the brakes, so you can't backup!
So, if your trailer, with surge brakes, comes with the round 7pin connector, I'd say you're good to go.
If it comes with a 5pin, you'll have to get a 7-5 adapter at the auto store (assuming you already have the round 7pin on your truck).
Again, I'm no expert .... just a heads up.

there are different kinds of surge brakes. uhaul trailers use a 4 flat connector and also have surge brakes (at least, the bigger ones do).

 

[jsphlynch]

Just FYI, and I'm NO expert....
When I trailered my boat with surge brakes, I needed a minimum 5 pin connector.
A 4 pin gives you lights, brakes, turn signals.
A 5 pin gives you the backup lights.
Why? Because, without it, if you backup, the surge module figures you're braking and will apply the brakes, so you can't backup!
So, if your trailer, with surge brakes, comes with the round 7pin connector, I'd say you're good to go.
If it comes with a 5pin, you'll have to get a 7-5 adapter at the auto store (assuming you already have the round 7pin on your truck).
Again, I'm no expert .... just a heads up.

there are different kinds of surge brakes. uhaul trailers use a 4 flat connector and also have surge brakes (at least, the bigger ones do).

I've used the uhauls with the 4-pin connectors and surge brakes and never had any issues backing up. I'm guessing backing up didn't put enough force on the surge mechanism to trigger braking. Sensitivity could very well vary between different surge brake mechanisms, so I guess you just need to be aware of just what is on your particular trailer.

 

[pbethel]

A lot of surge brakes require you to get out of your vehicle and manually lock them out for backing.
So, if you have a tailgate damper... ?

 

[VTRanger]

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.

I haven't seen it in person yet, but I do love watching those boat ramp fails on youtube. ??

 

[Peragrin]

I'll put money on it that they're surge brakes, not powered.

I would go 50/50 odds on that. Those boats are usually picked with a crane off the trailer.

Yes you can back in but you need a really steep ramp. to get enough water depth to float her.

Much safer to pick her up with a 30' 15,000 lb rotating crane. at least six yacht clubs I know of use that method to store and launch their J fleets multiple times a week. You can luanch a boat every 5 minutes by hand no problem.

if the trailer doesn't get wet who cares what brakes it has?

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