Utility Trailer w/o Brakes in the Mountains

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GunsAreFun

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Apr 18, 2019
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We are bringing some toys for archery season for the first time this year. Probably towing with my 2021 F-150. It will probably be a 2-seat RZR and an ATV. The toys weigh about 1,500#. Not sure of the trailer weight. It’s a 7x14 with wood decks and a 3-4’ drop gate….guessing 1,000-1,500#. Then the normal hunting gear for 2-3 people will be in the truck.

The trailer is a single axle and does NOT have breaks. I’ve only towed it on pretty flat ground in Missouri.

How rough on my brakes and engine/transmission is it going to be going down long downhill grades? This being the first year bringing ATVs, I’m hesitant to buy something different until we know it’s something we want to do most years.
 
GunsAreFun said:
We are bringing some toys for archery season for the first time this year. Probably towing with my 2021 F-150. It will probably be a 2-seat RZR and an ATV. The toys weigh about 1,500#. Not sure of the trailer weight. It’s a 7x14 with wood decks and a 3-4’ drop gate….guessing 1,000-1,500#. Then the normal hunting gear for 2-3 people will be in the truck.

The trailer is a single axle and does NOT have breaks. I’ve only towed it on pretty flat ground in Missouri.

How rough on my brakes and engine/transmission is it going to be going down long downhill grades? This being the first year bringing ATVs, I’m hesitant to buy something different until we know it’s something we want to do most years.
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That’s a lot to fit in that size trailer, and a long ride. I would get my brakes inspected before the trip, and let the inspector know what you are doing. The truck should pull it fine. The stopping may present an issue. If your brakes are good, it will most likely not be a big issue, just know how to straighten the trailer if you get the wobbles. I’m sure you will feel it pushing you around on the road. Just take her slow if you get uneasy. You won’t be the first or last person doing the exact same thing. I am a big fan of trailer brakes if you will be doing it more than once. Make sure you have a spare tire or two for the trailer.
 
we do it all year long. lots of snowmobiles and atv travel on trailers in the mountains.
with that said, you can not let your mind wander on the steep grades.
 
THe brakes will be a huge help rolling over mountain passes. It's not hard or expensive to add brakes. Taking that trailer, you'll be adding more stuff too.
 
On the way up watch your coolant and transmission temperatures. If they start to rise, slow down or pull over. On your way down, start slow at the top and use a lower gear on the transmission. Tow haul on the Ford is pretty good about this going down hill but use that tapshifter if it doesn't want to engine brake well. Apply brakes in steady bursts to decrease your speed and let back off to allow them to cool. Riding your brakes to maintain a specific speed will burn them up.
 
I have hauled similar sized trailers with and without brakes here in Colorado. Yes, not having them is doable, but I would 100% rather have them! You get going down a pass and need to slam on brakes and it makes a world of difference. If you can swing it, I would absolutely add them.
 
Mighty Mouse said:
Adding a set of electric brakes isn’t terribly difficult or expensive.
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Didn’t know this is a thing, but I’ll look into it.

It’s my FIL’s trailer, but he has offered to basically give it to me multiple times because he wants an excuse to get a bigger one.
 
I have the same setup, truck and trailer. I’ve made multiple trips each year and haven’t felt like I needed brakes. I tow a Honda pioneer and an atv. 2100 lbs dry.
 
GunsAreFun said:
Didn’t know this is a thing, but I’ll look into it.

It’s my FIL’s trailer, but he has offered to basically give it to me multiple times because he wants an excuse to get a bigger one.
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You don’t see many single axle trailers equipped with brakes because the weight capacity of a single axle isn’t really enough to justify brakes in most situations. You could get along fine without trailer brakes for what you described, but I’m very conservative with trailers and would personally add brakes for towing in the mountains. A pair of electric drum brakes runs around $200. You would also need some wire, a 7-way male plug, and a brake controller if your truck doesn’t already have one.
 
GunsAreFun said:
Didn’t know this is a thing, but I’ll look into it.

It’s my FIL’s trailer, but he has offered to basically give it to me multiple times because he wants an excuse to get a bigger one.
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Well there is the solution. Accept his offer now. Then make sure he gets the new one with brakes soon and take it.

As long as I have a hitch, stinger, ball, and hitch pin rated for plenty more than I am towing, I’d be fine for that trip without brakes. Just take it easy downhill, and off road. I do it all the time with about 3k and no trailer brakes.

My ball shank is the 1” diameter model. I believe my hitch set up is a class III.
 
GunsAreFun said:
Didn’t know this is a thing, but I’ll look into it.

It’s my FIL’s trailer, but he has offered to basically give it to me multiple times because he wants an excuse to get a bigger one.
Click to expand...

It is a really easy job if you have brake flanges on the axle. That would usually be a 4x4"ish square with 4 holes in it behind the hub. If a major manufacturer like Dexter, the parts would be bolt on and take just a couple hours. You can buy a drum kit that has everything but the wiring and that is easy. I assume your truck has a break controller integrated into it.
 
Sure is nice to have 6 wheels to ease into feathering the brakes going down a steep offroad snow/ice mix hill with a turn at the bottom when towing. We got brakes on the pop-up camper we take irresponsibly deep into the forest lol, been a few times we may not have made those descents and able to stay on the road. Didn't even think about it, was planning to take the new buggy on my little no-brakes single axle flatbed instead this coming year so glad I ran across this thread. Gonna look at upgrading that trailer with brakes I think.
 
If you get the trailer, would he be fine if you sold it to buy a similar dual axle? Maybe you are out $750 if the right deals come along. When you are dealing with a flat on a single axle, that $750 seems like a bargain! Plus the smoother ride on all your gear on the trailer.
 
You’ll probably be alright short-term, especially if you’re just testing the waters this season. That said, a single axle trailer without brakes carrying ~3,000 lbs total (toys + trailer) can definitely stress your F-150’s brakes on long downhill grades, especially if you’re in hilly or mountainous areas. It’s not ideal, and you’ll want to take it slow, use engine braking (manual mode if available), and leave plenty of space.





Watch your transmission temps if you’re towing in warm weather or climbing grades. The F-150 can handle it, but repeated long trips like that might make you consider a dual-axle trailer with brakes if you end up doing this every year.





For this season though—take it easy, plan your route carefully, and you should be fine.
 
On gravel roads its easy for a trailer to push the rear of the truck around, but loaded with decent weight on the tongue you’ll be fine.
 
Another thing to keep in mind, maybe already mentioned.

Pulling a heavy trailer on snow, it's very easy to jackknife a trailer, even easing around, especially downhill.

With trailer brakes, you can reach down and slide your brake controller lever over, lock up those trailee brakes, and bring it right back in behind ya.
 
I'd add electric brakes, too. It's not that expensive, and your load will be even higher if you are successful. Many of the mountains are no joke.
 
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