Adding brakes to a regular axle .

[seabass81]

Alright so I just bought a stratos 275 pxl. I pull with ford escape v6 4wd. I find the stratos alot heavier then my nitro and can really feel the suv not wanting to slow down in a hurry!

I always drive slow with the boat as well as keep my distance but I wont take my young family with me when towing.

How hard is it to add brakes to a trailer that does not have any? Would I be better off buying a new trailer?

Will I notice a significant difference?

Thanks in advance

[cyclone70]

I had the same problem.
If the 4 hole mounting flanges are on the axle,it isn't that difficult.
I added 10" electric drum brakes to the trailer and a brake controller inside the vehicle.
It was less than 250.00 for everything as I recall to go electric.
I went with a basic time based controller.
If your trailer has a bolt on tongue you can go hydraulic drums but will cost around 500.00 with the brake lines and all.

The difference is incredible,the trailer brakes will actually slow the tow vehicle if you barely push on the brake pedal.

[Durby]

I have a flatbed car trailer that I used all the time when I was doing demolition derby's. It has electric trailer brakes on it. My tow vehicle is a 1997 chevy 1500 and I have towed a 1966 suicide lincoln without a problem. As said above, you can adjust the controller to actually slow the tow vehicle. My bass boat trailer however does not have trailer brakes and its a pain to stop in hurry.