Do I need brakes for my 13 footer?

[John Colangelo]

I have a 13 foot Burro that weighs about 850 pounds dry and about 1000 pounds loaded. I pull her with a 4-banger Subaru Forrester. I don't have trailer brakes (yet) but I plan on installing them this summer. Does anyone think it is OK to take the camper out now without brakes? This model did not come with brakes originally and has a 4 pin flat connector on the wiring harness. I took the wheels off and looked at the axle and I think I can attach the brakes to the plate with 4 holes. I want to leave next week for a trip to Yellowstone and was wondering if it would be safe to make the trip without brakes on the trailer as long as I take it slow and easy and drive in "grandpa gear" with plenty of stopping room and slowing down for corners.

Thoughts? And thank you for your advice!

[Carol H]

I would put the brakes on the trailer. Subaru is pretty clear on brakes being needed on the trailer and you are going to be heading into some pretty good hills. All Subaru's only come with the 4 pin connection so you will have to have the brake controller wiring added onto it.

Trust me you will wear out a set of brakes on the Subaru fast without brakes on the trailer & brake pads for the Subaru are not cheap either.

[John Colangelo]

OK, thank you!

[Larry C Hanson]

Hello,

Unless you have weighed your Burro both light and loaded
I would suggest checking this reference:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html

My 2012 Outback Manual states up to 1000 lbs. towing without brakes...
Brakes are always a good idea. If you ever have to do a panic stop you
will thank yourself for having had the foresight to have had them installed.

Larry H

[Gilles]

I recommend brakes any time on a trailer.
An urgent stop, a small caravan want to pass forward and can make us lose control while knocking on the other cars which are by our side.

Have a look on that:
Towing Laws | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle

Have a good ride and welcome back at home.

[floyd]

Apparently, according to Brakebuddy,(the braking experts)
95% of the authorities referenced don't think you should be required to have brakes!
From you first response, you seem to think you need them for your application. So get'em!

One point to remember.....
MIC your spindles or check your bearing numbers before buying the brakes.
Early light axles commonly had 1" straight spindles.
Modern ones have 1-1/16" straight spindles.
Your new hubs must fit if they are to be safe and effective.

[Steve L.]

From Fred's trailer weights in the real world, Boler 13s range from 1300 to 2200 pounds, averaging about 1800. I'm inclined to think you're underestimating trailer weight.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Steve L.

From Fred's trailer weights in the real world, Boler 13s range from 1300 to 2200 pounds, averaging about 1800. I'm inclined to think you're underestimating trailer weight.

Considering that most early Bolers had 1200 pound axles....but then the OP has a Burro13.

[John Linck]

I'm a bit risk adverse while towing. I have both brakes and insurance. In my youth, not so much, but I did have luck, which I highly recommend. If you have lots of luck you don't need brakes and you should buy a lottery ticket or two.

Does Amazon sell luck?

[MC1]

Having brakes on your trailer is always better than not having them.

Get them on ASAP.