This question is for those that trailer their cars. If you don't trailer your car, please ignore this thread, because I don't want to hear from a bunch of people that have no real experience with this situation.

I now have an open car hauler trailer. Problem is, it doesn't have brakes. I will be towing with a 2002 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab Long Bed.

I'm satisfied that the Frontier will tow successfully, but I'm wondering how critical trailer brakes will be for towing. Would I be ok driving slow and leaving extra distance ahead of me, or is towing the Z without trailer brakes going to be dangerous. I've towed ski boats, jetskis, etc and never had trailer brakes - I just took it easy when towing.

I just wanted to get opinions from those that have had experience trailering their cars before I made a judgement call based purely off of "how safe it feels" all loaded up with a few practice braking sessions.

 

With over 20 years of trailering experience, I can say that IMHO trailer brakes make a significant difference. Particularly on the interstate, when there's an emergency, you'll really notice not only reduced stopping distance, but also how the trailer stops straight. Even though you're towing with an open trailer, think about the weight you're carrying in the back. Weather, unexpected shifts in traffic or other factors could cause the trailer to jackknife and with the precious load you're carrying, it could be disasterous.

My current rig is a 24' Dynastar enclosed trailer with electric brakes on dual axles. I do a fair amount of interstate towing for racing and the last thing I want to worry about is the tow back and forth. Depending on how far you're going and how many times you do it in a season, I'd say trailer brakes are well worth the $$.

 

My long term plan is to add brakes. I just have the trailer the way that it is now and I'm wondering if babying it for one or two trips is reasonable or is stupid.

 

Stupid.

 

Agreed.

 

I have successfully without trailer brakes, but of course it only takes one idiot on the highway or a gust of wind to eff me. This, however, was with a Titan. I have trailer brakes now.

 

If you had a larger vehicle with more mass you MIGHT be able to be OK without the traler brakes but there is still a much larger risk. Remimber that your 350Z has a lot more mass than most boats and all Jet Ski's.

Trailer brakes can be had fairly inexpensively and the safety and just ease of driving it adds is WELL worth it.

 

Good deal. Thanks, guys. I'll get started on swapping out my axles and getting brakes first.

 

It is common to see on cheaper trailers to have brakes on one axle....it may be a cheaper solution, at for now. As far as a brake controller, look into the Prodigy models, they can be bought new for 100 bucks or so.

 

also check out the drum bolt on kits at northern tools, they don't require an axle swap

 

I'm not sure if a drum bolt on kit would be possible. I think that these axles are mobile home/trailer axles. It's just a trailer/hauler that was welded together for hauling tractors and farm equipment. I was in Northern Tool today looking at axles, etc. I'll see if I can post some pictures tomorrow.

 

I tow my z with a pathfinder tows it great. I went one year with out brakes on trailer had to many close calls and was wearing out the pads on my truck. I just put brakes on my front axle its good enough if ur pulling just the z. If ur pulling heavier stuff go with both axles. Randpcarriges.com has a bolt on kits for all types of axles for a resonable price.

 

is your trailer steel or aluminum?

 

In almost every state there are laws that require trailer brakes if the combined trailer and car weight exceeds a certain amount. In all cases, with a 350Z, you exceed that weight. If you do get in a wreck two things will probably happen:

1. The state police will issue a ticket for an overloaded condition.
2. The fine print in your auto insurance agreement will state that they don't have to cover you if you wreck while overloaded.

Also, if you ever go through scales and the operator's spot the lack of brakes. You get a ticket for an overloaded condition and your car and trailer remain parked at the scales until you correct it (or drive the car home separately).

 

I have had boat trailers with and without trailer brakes. My current trailer has hydraulic surge brakes. There have been many times when I was glad they were there.

About a week ago, my boss was towing his ski boat home from the river and lost his brakes on his Silverado. The truck and boat and trailer went through a large intersection before he could get it stopped. With trailer brakes, theis may have not happened. I guess as he was towing, and overworking his truck brakes due to the weight of the boat and trailer, they went out. Luckilly, he did not hit or kill anyone in the intersection.

So as I see it, in addition to the trailer brakes lessening the work required by the system on the tow vehicle, you are essentially adding the redundancy which will drastically lower the risks of those bad situations.

 

Apart from Insurance reasons etc trailer brakes also makes it very easy to straighten the trailer if it gets the wobbles up.

 

My trailer is steel weighs 2000 pounds. In jersey law requires anything more 3500 pounds including the trailer to have brakes on one axle. Police also want atleast a 2 inch strap on every corner of the car. 2 front and 2 in back.