Trailer brakes (yes or no). Help me

[mythinline]

I plan on ordering a Morris Mule (Trail Grade) trailer this week.

Models - MORRIS MULE TRAILER COMPANY

It weighs ~700lbs.

Should I option for the electric brakes, or not?

It'll be towed behind a 2016 4Runner Trail.

What would you choose?

 

[feusaf]

I'd say it would depend...electric or surge? how much total weight are you going to pull?

If you're going to stay under 1,000 lbs, I say it's not worth it. I opt for brakes on my trailers when I'm going over 5,000 lbs, but then again, most of my trailers go up to a GTWR of 15,000lbs.

 

[philsey]

You should post how much weight the entire trailer PLUS load will be. Any opinion without this is wild guesswork.

Also, regardless of the above, please be informed as to proper tongue weight and leveling of the trailer.

Always err on the side of brakes vs no brakes -- you never know what the road holds for you. A panic stop with a swerve will have you seeing that trailer right outside your window.

 

[Bodie the Dog]

Pintle Hitch?

Are you going with a pintle hitch?

 

[nevada]

I plan on ordering a Morris Mule (Trail Grade) trailer this week.

Models - MORRIS MULE TRAILER COMPANY

It weighs ~700lbs.

Should I option for the electric brakes, or not?

It'll be towed behind a 2016 4Runner Trail.

What would you choose?

how much more is it for the brake option?

that's a fairly light trailer, even fully loaded it shouldn't be too bad.
that said, I almost always will opt for trailer brakes, JUST IN CASE.

even if you end up not needing/using them, they are there.

 

[mythinline]

Standard ball hitch.

Less than 2000lbs fully loaded (likely less than 1500, actually).

 

[m85476585]

Many states require brakes for trailers over 2000lbs. I've seen very few trailers under 2000lbs with brakes, and a 4runner should tow that small of a trailer fine without brakes, but personally I would get them if it was an option. You can never stop too fast!

 

[philsey]

Many states require brakes for trailers over 2000lbs. I've seen very few trailers under 2000lbs with brakes, and a 4runner should tow that small of a trailer fine without brakes, but personally I would get them if it was an option. You can never stop too fast!

While stopping is important, control is critical. Braking the trailer in a panic stop or swerve is the only way to control it (eg 'keep it behind the car').
Think about momentum and how small that 2" pivot is. Safety first Brother.

.... but personally I would get them if it was an option...

This.

 

[TechWrench]

At that weight, trailer brakes aren't a necessity, but having them and not needing them is better than needing them and not having them. That being said, if you do decide to opt for trailer brakes, I would suggest going with the electric package instead of the surge system. Surge works OK on level ground, but if you are going down hill, they can tend to apply when you don't want them to. Also, with electric brakes, and a good controller, you can use the manual function to create some trailer drag, if you have a serious sway issue because of cross winds, to help recover from the sway.