Utility Trailer w/o Brakes in the Mountains

[Silver Wings]

Like others have said I don’t think that load is going to be an issue for your truck and it’s brakes, but I would also do a test run with the approximate load you’ll be towing and work up to a full emergency stop at speed…that will tell you a lot. I live in the mountains and have a variety of trailers, any time I have an unfamiliar load or there is snow or ice I do a “brake check” to see how the truck and trailer respond. I adjust the brake controller setting and or speed from there.

 

[roadrunner]

The F150 will handle a trailer load of 3 grand easy.

Your bigger issue isn't the trailer brakes. It's the load capacity of the tires and the weight distribution of the trailer. You will want to make sure you put the RZR across the axle and the ATV up front. Unless they're already on it, put a an E class trailer tire on rated for 80 mph.

 

[Weldor]

Adding a set of electric brakes isn’t terribly difficult or expensive.

Exactly, put a set of brakes on and your worries will go away. Cheap and easy.

 

[Team4LongGun]

I’ve got a Ram 1500 and was pulling my sxs last year for bear hunting. 6 miles down the mountain, single axle trailer no brakes.
My front calipers and rotors were red hot, lost ability to stop-it was just a mushy pedal. I won’t do that again without brakes.

 

[GunsAreFun]

The F150 will handle a trailer load of 3 grand easy.

Your bigger issue isn't the trailer brakes. It's the load capacity of the tires and the weight distribution of the trailer. You will want to make sure you put the RZR across the axle and the ATV up front. Unless they're already on it, put a an E class trailer tire on rated for 80 mph.

I’ll verify the tires, but that is the loading arrangement. The ATV pulls in perpendicular through a side access on the front of the trailer.

 

[GunsAreFun]

And I’m planning to bring two spares for the trailer so if these aren’t the best tires, I’ll swap them out for new ones and use the old ones as spares.

 

[Marshfly]

And I’m planning to bring two spares for the trailer so if these aren’t the best tires, I’ll swap them out for new ones and use the old ones as spares.

Make sure to buy one of the very few tires rated for 88 mph. Most trailer tires are 65mph rated.

I have been using Hankook Vantra lately and love them. I suspect a lot of highway blowouts start with people running tires way too fast for the rating.

 

[wapitibob]

I'd worry more about a blowout at speed on a single axle trailer than brakes.

 

[Machingeaneer]

I'd worry more about a blowout at speed on a single axle trailer than brakes.

I've had this happen twice, there's a certain pucker factor for sure but I didn't think it was that bad honestly.

 

[Raghornklr]

I've had this happen twice, there's a certain pucker factor for sure but I didn't think it was that bad honestly.

Happened to me last season. New wheel and tire then carried on.

 

[The Guide]

And I’m planning to bring two spares for the trailer so if these aren’t the best tires, I’ll swap them out for new ones and use the old ones as spares.

I'm just going to mention this since I haven't seen it mentioned yet. Check the axle rating. Most of those single axle trailers that do not have trailer brakes are made with 3,000# axles. Most trailers are 1200 to 1500 pounds empty so that only leaves you with 1500 to 1800 pounds before you are over weight. Many of those 3k axles use pretty light bearings and an over loaded trailer on a bumpy gravel road leads to blown bearings and trashed hubs. Something to consider.

Jay

 

[Weldor]

I am always amazed at the trailers I see hauling a $60K SXS, single axle. Tandems are way safer and don't flip when they have blow-out. We spend all that money on a utv- atv and go cheap on the trailer. If your worried about weight go with aluminum.