When I purchased my boat and trailer the trailer brakes do not work. Do I really need trailer brakes on a boat that size and weight as long as am not towing on steep hills and mountains?
Hunter 23 Trailer
- Thread starter Rcarbo
- Start date
I've owned quite a few trailer sailboats...
Two MacGregor V21, a MacGregor V222, a Coronado 23, A Balboa 26 and presently I own a Hunter 26 and a Rhodes 22.
The Balboa was the first trailer sailboat I owned with trailer breaks. And it does make a big difference in stability and feel when towing. With that said, the Balboa is 1600 lb heavier than the Hunter 23.5 and I towed my Coronado 23 with a single axle (no breaks) trailer and it is 300 lb heavier than the Hunter 23.5.
So that was a long-ish way of saying that ... you can tow an H23.5 without breaks but it is safer if you have them.
Is your trailer single axle or double? In Virginia (where I live) double axle trailers must have breaks. And they must be inspected each year. So there is a hassle factor to consider.
Here is what I found on Arkansas Trailer laws
Two MacGregor V21, a MacGregor V222, a Coronado 23, A Balboa 26 and presently I own a Hunter 26 and a Rhodes 22.
The Balboa was the first trailer sailboat I owned with trailer breaks. And it does make a big difference in stability and feel when towing. With that said, the Balboa is 1600 lb heavier than the Hunter 23.5 and I towed my Coronado 23 with a single axle (no breaks) trailer and it is 300 lb heavier than the Hunter 23.5.
So that was a long-ish way of saying that ... you can tow an H23.5 without breaks but it is safer if you have them.
Is your trailer single axle or double? In Virginia (where I live) double axle trailers must have breaks. And they must be inspected each year. So there is a hassle factor to consider.
Here is what I found on Arkansas Trailer laws
Rob, I will advise as I know this trailer too well
I know the trailer which was built BY KWS or Ken's Welding. I would immediately replace the bearings and racers with Timpken and for the fenders, beef up the supports as the orignals were inadequate. Check the bunk boards and if need replacing, use 2 X 4 treated lumber. If the keel tray is rotted, replace that with marine ply and you might want to look at the supports welding./ Cover the bunk boards and keel tray with new outdoor carpeting if you have to replace the wood.
As for the brakes, if you do not know what your are doing, take it to someone who specifically works on trailers as the brake lines may need to be bleeded to get all of the air out if not up to par and that will include the brakes themselves. Do not trailer that boat until all the above has been checked to include the tightening of all bolts and so forth. If you do have to pull the trailer with the boat on it, please do not go over 45 max to the repair facility and do not tailgate at all but allow a long distance between you and the vehicle in front. Without brakes, you may feel the trailer to swerve and if that happens, simply apply speed to stop the swaying and gently brake in order to stop. Never go above 55.
I pulled enough of these trailers as a former dealer over the years and this is what you need to do. As for the laws of Arkansas, check into them as to what is needed but not sure if your trailer will require an annual inspection as some states do.
I know the trailer which was built BY KWS or Ken's Welding. I would immediately replace the bearings and racers with Timpken and for the fenders, beef up the supports as the orignals were inadequate. Check the bunk boards and if need replacing, use 2 X 4 treated lumber. If the keel tray is rotted, replace that with marine ply and you might want to look at the supports welding./ Cover the bunk boards and keel tray with new outdoor carpeting if you have to replace the wood.
As for the brakes, if you do not know what your are doing, take it to someone who specifically works on trailers as the brake lines may need to be bleeded to get all of the air out if not up to par and that will include the brakes themselves. Do not trailer that boat until all the above has been checked to include the tightening of all bolts and so forth. If you do have to pull the trailer with the boat on it, please do not go over 45 max to the repair facility and do not tailgate at all but allow a long distance between you and the vehicle in front. Without brakes, you may feel the trailer to swerve and if that happens, simply apply speed to stop the swaying and gently brake in order to stop. Never go above 55.
I pulled enough of these trailers as a former dealer over the years and this is what you need to do. As for the laws of Arkansas, check into them as to what is needed but not sure if your trailer will require an annual inspection as some states do.