Well I'm fixing to buy a car trailer finally, and was wondering, I mean I know brakes are a good thing, but do you need them on a 16 foot wooden deck car hauler ? thanks for the input.
Yes you do need brakes on trailer. 16', I take it that it's dual wheels? Even so, brakes on at least two of the wheels. (Not on the same side either). Some time you really need to get on the binders, you'll find your trailer and what ever you USED to have on it will be in the ditch if you don't. You're also going to want a break-a-way system on it too. HellRaiser
You need to look into your local laws on trailers. Each state is specific in what is considered legal. Here in Ohio my trailer came with brakes on one axle. The law said that if the trailer had brakes they had to be working & it was illegal to trailer it without the proper brakes hooked up.
Even if you have a light car and a big towing truck (best case scenario) I would still get trailer brakes. Please get them.
Like previous posters have stated you need trailer brakes. On a 16' trailer there should be brakes on one axle. Most states will require a battery operated brake away system mounted to the trailer. This will engage the brakes if the trailer comes loose from the tow vehicle. (You never want to say "Hey that looks alot like my trailer" when it p***es you.) There are several good brake controllers on the market and many new trucks are pre-wired for them. Just buy the controller and vehicle specific harness and plug it in. Go to curtmfg.com to see what is available.
Laws are geared towards the wheight of the trailer & cargo and when brakes are required many states and provinces this is 2000lbs so pretty much anything loaded on your trailer will put you over this. If you already have a trailer with out breaks most parts stores can supply what you need to convert you axle(s).
I have an 18' Texas Rollback Trailer 2 axles, Brakes on both axles. As many have stated most states require brakes on both axles if there are 2 axles. When trailering a load which is near the limit of the trailer good brakes on both axles can be a God send in an emergency stop! It is always better to be over prepared than sorta prepared!
If you want to stop, and not have the trailer push you around with all 4 wheels locked up, then yes. I've hauled trailer without working brakes a few times, but always slow and cautious, you get much over 4000 lbs on the trailer and you can't control it to try to make a hard stop.
Look in the last column at this link: http://www.roadkingtrailers.com/brakelaws.htm It's the law in nearly every state and province that a trailer that size be equipped with brakes. I remain amazed that this question continues to be asked.
Definitely need brakes . Don`t leave home without em' ! An equalizer hitch and breakaway safety are also highly recommended.
i have a 16" wood deck car hauler it has no brakes i am going to put them on FL requires bouth axles most builders here do not install them it will push my 7500 lb dually around in a panic
Also, don't forget to lock the hith on the ball before unloading or loading the car to be hauled! Almost as important as brakes...
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