Towing a trailer without brakes with an 80...?

[e9999]

OK, let's assume a hypothetical situation: somebody (not me) will purchase a trailer in the 3,500 lbs range. There is no electric brake controller set up in his 80 yet. Gotta bring the trailer back home. Could be 50 miles on either perfectly flat freeway or on a freeway with a significant downhill (1 mile or 2 at 5% or so) portion; depending on purchase location.
Question: is this out of the question or could either scenario be managed safely at low speed and with great caution? This guy has no real experince pulling more than 1500 lbs utility trailers...
waddaya think?
thanks
E

 

[Chris_Geiger]

OK, let's assume a hypothetical situation: somebody (not me) will purchase a trailer in the 3,500 lbs range. There is no electric brake controller set up in the 80 yet. Gotta bring the trailer back home. Could be 50 miles on either perfectly flat freeway or on a freeway with a significant downhill (1 mile or 2 at 5% or so) portion; depending on purchase location.
Question: is this out of the question or could either scenario be managed safely at low speed and with great caution? This guy has no real experince pulling more than 1500 lbs utility trailers...
waddaya think?
thanks
E

Hey it's not legal but if you keep your speed down to 60mph and double your normal following distance you will be just fine.

 

[Doc]

I see no problem with that scenario.

Just don't expect to make any panic stops.

 

[tucker74]

Hey it's not legal but if you keep your speed down to 60mph and double your normal following distance you will be just fine.

What are you talking about - so I'm not legal pulling a 23' Chaparral w/ tandem axles and NO trailer brakes? It weighs a bit more than 3500 too -

No problem man - I've pulled more than that safely for much further, just take it easy and leave lots of distance.

Tucker

 

[Brentbba]

Tucker - just depends on your state DMV laws. In the Republic of Kalifornia, any trailer over 1500lbs must have brakes. That being said (and I've said it before), our Troop's trailer weighs in at 3500 lbs and I towed that thing with NO prior towing experience for about 2 years before we put brakes on it. That towing also was from sea level to almost 5000 ft and back with just the cruiser's brakes. For what's being talked about now for E- no problem at all from my experience.

 

[DRTDuck]

yep, should be no problem with that weight, just won't be able to pass anybody

 

[Brentbba]

yep, should be no problem with that weight, just won't be able to pass anybody

Pass, Pass??? He made No mention about wanting to do that! hehehe On mountain roads get very familiar with the turnouts as if you are a courteous driver, you will become very familiar with there use. hehehe

You'll get where you want to go very safely, but you will not set any speed records and you will only get about 8-10mpg.

One other minor item - if the trailer has electric brakes, it probably has a 7-pin electrical connector and your cruiser probably only has a 4-pin right now (you do have that, right?). An adapter is available at any auto parts store for not much $$.

 

[cruiserdan]

My single axle 19 foot boat trailer has surge brakes. I believe it is inherently unsafe to tow that much weight without brakes. In NM it is also illegal. Please be very careful and think WAY ahead as you go down the road. I would not exceed 55 mph if I were making the attempt (personal opinion, of course).


D-

 

[bkgiii]

Echoing what others have said....not a prob, just increase your distance and don't expect to get in a hurry. Towing my tandem axle boat trailer with a Whaler 240 Outrage from Mis'sipp to Camden SC gave no problems at all...it just took 2 hours longer.

 

[e9999]

I have to admit that I'm surprised (pleasantly). I was expecting everybody to say that this was completely out of the question (as I thought it was).
So basically, you're saying that the brakes on the 80 can easily handle 8000lbs then?
And what about the stability of the thing if you have to brake hard? Jackknife for sure?
Tricks to going downhill with it besides low speed and engine braking?
I'll be sure to relay this good info...
thanks
E

oh, and Dan, thanks for the cautionary note, point well taken, will also relay that part most vigorously...

 

[Brentbba]

You are talking 8000 lbs including the cruiser aren't you? Just don't expect your stopping distances to be the same. You'll absolutely notice the weight back there, but I don't think you'll have to worry about jackknifing unless you get into a very serious accident avoidance move and then all bets are off.

I've not tried a lower gear or o/d off to allow engine braking on any of my decents. LC's brakes were just fine.

 

[IdahoDoug]

You'd be hard pressed to jacknife, which is usually from the trailer brakes locking up in a panic stop and coming around you. With no brakes, the trailer tires will simply track behind you in a panic stop and shove you very hard and fast into whatever you're trying to avoid.

As you can tell, I'm against this idea. But if you're going to do it, make sure everything in the trailer's tied down and do a couple panic stops before setting out so you get an idea how badly you're (not) gonna stop in an emergency. Another thing to consider is that your insurance company may consider you uninsured if you're in violation of towing regs and your vehicle's published towing capacity (w/o brakes). Get in an accident and you'll be paying for the trailer and LC yourself. In fact, you might consider the call to your insurance company when you decide to buy one. It may go like this:

You: Bought a trailer
Them: How much does it weigh, does it have brakes, and does your tow vehicle which has (consults his computer screen) an unbraked tow rating of XXXXX have a compatible brake controller?
You: Ah....um.....

DougM

 

[MTNRAT]

3500lbs down a long hill at 50mph, and it starts swaying. You are IN the ditch.
Cheers,
Sean who regularily pulls a 3500 lb trailer in mountainous terrain, and would not even consider doing so without trailer brakes.

 

[Aids10]

Good Info!

THX M8

 

[Paul_L]

Here's some good info from California.

Towing Your Trailer Safely

 

[Steelbender77]

Sounds dangerous. Not to be Debbie Downer...but is it worth putting your life at risk? Not to mention the lives of other drivers?

If there's an accident and your trailer comes into question they're going to be all over the fact that it doesn't have operational brakes.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Thank goodness for 911. No really,check the cruisers brakes and all fluids,dist, hitch,chain and keep it under 60 ,towing in drive or 3rd. Dont tail gate..... and you will be fine. Mike

 

[97 FZJ80]

Trailer brakes are only required in Texas with trailer over 4500 lbs. I've towed over 2500 lbs without trailer brakes and it isn't fun on my 80 or Tundra. It has a tendency to push the tow vehicle in a quick stop. The same trailer/weight towed from my 3/4 ton Superduty and it doesn't even bat an eye at the trailer. So it all depends on the trailer, weight, tow vehicle weight, and brakes.