What floats your boat.

The fact that mylark said he could not use his brakes at an accident scene should indicate he needed trailer brakes whether required by law or not. its a load of crap saying brakes are high maintenance. Modern boat trailer brakes are corrosion free and low maintenance.

 

Here are some examples of smaller wheels I used for the Myark trailer barges.

 

My customers trailer will not require brakes for the smaller version of the World boat unless asked for, but will for bigger models. As all suspension systems have a bottoming out when striking heavy bumps rubber stops will be needed and some cushioning effect in such an event.
This could be achieved by having these stops fixed to the trailer chassis and coming into contact with the axle.

 

I personally would have my trailer brakes acting first, and on down grades before my towing vehicle`s brakes acted.

 

NZ trailer brake law = Gross laden weight of trailer of 2,000 kg or less = Not required.

Parking brake = Not required.

Breakaway brake = Not required.


http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/g...towing/guide-safe-loading-towing.html#trailer

 

The info in isolation could be misleading though you did include the link.
Trailer brakes are good to have, I'v got an 11m long trailer that I occassionally use behind a stationwagon, has electric brakes & works good.
Below is some more from your link... the 7m stopping at 30kmh seems too simple in relation to real world incline scenarios but at least gives a minimum....


In addition to the requirements above, the law requires that every light vehicle and trailer combination must be capable of stopping within a distance of seven metres from a speed of 30km/h. In effect, this means that the maximum allowable weight of an unbraked trailer is limited by the weight and braking ability of the vehicle being used to tow it.

The NZTA recommends, as a guide, that the laden weight of an unbraked trailer should not exceed three quarters of the unladen weight of the towing vehicle and then only if the towing vehicle's brakes and tyres are in excellent condition. A trailer heavier than this may prevent the vehicle combination from meeting the seven metre from 30km/h brake performance requirement. To illustrate the increase in stopping distance when towing an unbraked trailer, consider a trailer with a laden weight equal to the weight of the towing vehicle.

This combination can be expected to have double the stopping distance of the towing vehicle alone, and even a towing vehicle with good brakes is likely to fail the legal brake performance requirement of seven metres from 30km/h. If the trailer is equipped with brakes, it may be possible to safely tow a trailer heavier than three quarters of the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, but the seven metres from 30km/h brake performance requirement still applies.

 

20 odd years ago NZ was considering lowering the weight for brakes, but thousands of un braked trailers for boats it would of been complicated and never happened so I see.
An example what brought this unnecessary discussion about the Myark folding trailer barge that weighs 800kg including built in self trailer did not have brakes that could not stop from 90 kmh within a 4.m distance cars crashing in front of me, I decided to take another option that saved my life by not braking at all, in fact I sped up.
You can also see with the towing RV camper which is over four times the Myark folding trailer barges weight, its obvious a mole hill that has been turned into a mountain.
When I was towing this Myark trailer barge in the picture to Lake Waikaremoana on a narrow remote road in the most wilderness part of the north island NZ, it was like no load at all, especially such a narrow structure allowing full view behind because the width of only .800 mm wide, yet it unfolds to 3.6 wide and floats the 4000 kg RV in paradise.
I also mentioned that the future Myark designs are very light and abide to the vehicle manufactures strict towing conditions which are much more stricter than what you have mentioned, but not against the law.
Future Myark folding self trailer barges for example that float a 2000kg vehicle or load, weighs under 400 kg which is the towing allowance for the smallest of cars for trailers braked or un braked by the vehicle manufacturer.

 

That's the way they're set up. The rheostat has a digital display and I can adjust the trailer brakes sensitivity from off to full on. At 30 they are about even. Less than that and the truck brakes activate first, more than 30 and the trailer brakes start first. I keep it at 35-40. Using the rheostat alone, I can apply the trailer brakes without the truck brakes.

 

This is an example of not required but needed anyway. You may not be required to have brakes but it's better and safer if you do.

 

Anything over 750 kg in australia must have brakes which is more sensible than what mylark is going on about. That 800 kg box can and will cause trouble in an emergency without braking capability.

 

QUOTE
20 odd years ago NZ was considering lowering the weight for brakes, but thousands of un braked trailers for boats it would of been complicated and never happened so I see.
I also mentioned that the future Myark designs are very light and abide to the vehicle manufactures strict towing conditions which are much more stricter than what you have mentioned, but not against the law.
Future Myark folding self trailer barges for example that float a 2000kg vehicle or load, weighs under 400 kg which is the towing allowance for the smallest of cars for trailers braked or un braked by the vehicle manufacturer.

 

Naturally you would place brakes on a 11m trailer, I can imagine the load you would have top of a 11.m trailer.

 

Alabama Trailer Brake Laws
Independent braking system required over 3,000 lbs.

Arizona Trailer Brake Laws
Independent brake systems are required when the gross weight is 3,000 lbs. or more.

Colorado Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle. Brakes shall also be designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall automatically apply.

Connecticut Trailer Brake Laws
Each trailer or semitrailer having a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with a braking system operating on all wheels.
The braking system shall be adequate to control the movement of the trailer safely and to hold the trailer stationary.
All trailers over 8,000 lbs. shall be capable of braking by foot or hand.


Georgia Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer of 3,000 lbs. GVWR or more must be equipped with brakes on all wheels.

Illinois Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of over 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes when operated upon a highway. Such brakes must be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of a towed vehicle over 5,000 lbs., the brakes are automatically applied.

Kentucky Trailer Brake Laws
Kentucky law does not specifically require brakes on many passenger car trailers, regardless of weight. However, vehicles singular or in combination must be able to stop within distance specified by statute.

Louisiana Trailer Brake Laws
A trailer or semitrailer that weighs at least 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the towing vehicle and trailer or semitrailer.
These brakes must be designed so that the driver of the towing motor vehicle can apply the brakes from the towing vehicle itself and adequately stop both the towing vehicle and the trailer or semitrailer.
Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured after 1962 must be equipped with brakes upon all wheels.
Every trailer or semitrailer between 3,001 and 5,000 lbs. only requires brakes on 1 axle.

Maine Trailer Brake Laws
A trailer less than 3,000 lbs. gross weight is not required to have brakes.
A trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or greater is required to have adequate brakes acting on all wheels of all axles.

Massachusetts Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer having an unladed weight of more than 10,000 lbs. shall be equipped with air or electric brakes.

Michigan Trailer Brake Laws
Independent braking system required when gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.

Minnesota Trailer Brake Laws

A trailer or a semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more, or a gross weight that exceeds the empty weight of the towing vehicle, must be equipped with brakes that can adequately control the movement of and stop and hold the trailer or semitrailer.
A trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 6,000 lbs. or more, must be equipped with brakes that are constructed so that they can hold the trailer or semitrailer if it becomes detached from the towing vehicle.

Mississippi Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer carrying over 1 ton, when operated on a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of the trailer and to stop and hold the trailer.
Brakes on a trailer should be designed so that the driver of the towing vehicle from its cab may apply them.
Brakes on a trailer should be designed and connected so that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied.

Missouri Trailer Brake Laws
Independent braking system not required except on trailers coupled by a 5th-wheel and kingpin.

Montana Trailer Brake Laws
All trailers and pole trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3,000 lbs. or greater must be equipped with brakes acting on wheels. All trailers and pole trailers with a GVW of less than 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes on all wheels if the total weight of the trailer or trailers does not exceed 40% of the GVW of the towing vehicle.
Every trailer and pole trailer equipped with air- or vacuum-actuated brakes and every trailer and pole trailer with a GVW in excess of 3,000 lbs. must be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels that are designed to be applied automatically and promptly, and remain applied for at least 15 minutes upon breakaway from the towing vehicle.
A towing vehicle and all trailers being towed must have 1 control device that can be used to operate all service brakes.
Every new trailer, except a trailer of 2 axles of less than 2,000 lbs. GVW towed by an automobile, hereafter sold in this state and operated on the highways, shall be equipped with service brakes on all wheels of every such vehicle.

Nebraska Trailer Brake Laws
All commercial trailers with a carrying capacity of more than 10,000 lbs. shall be equipped on each wheel with brakes that can be operated from the driving position of the towing vehicle.
All recreational trailers having a gross loaded weight of 3,000 lbs. or more but less than 6,500 lbs. shall be equipped with brakes on at least 2 wheels.
All trailers with a gross loaded weight of 6,500 lbs. or more shall be equipped with brakes on each wheel. The brakes shall be operable from the driving position of the towing vehicle. Such trailers shall also be equipped with a breakaway, surge, or impulse switch on the trailer so that the trailer brakes are activated if the trailer becomes disengaged from the towing vehicle.

New Hampshire Trailer Brake Laws
No motor vehicle trailer or semi-trailer shall be driven on the ways of this state unless equipped with adequate brakes in good working order and sufficient to control the said vehicle at all times. Does not apply to a motor vehicle trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight of less than 3,000 pounds if the axle weight of the towed vehicle does not exceed 40 percent of the sum of the rated axle weights of the towing vehicle.
Every combination of motor vehicle with a trailer or semitrailer when driven upon the roadways of the state shall at a speed of 20 mph be capable, at all times and under all conditions, of stopping on a dry, smooth, approximately level pavement free from loose material, upon application of the foot or service brake, within a distance of 30 feet.

New Jersey Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer and semitrailer must have brakes that can be automatically applied upon break-away from the towing vehicle, and means shall be provided to stop and hold the vehicle for an adequate period of time.
In any combination of motor vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the trailer or semitrailer brakes in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicles and creating the required braking effort on the wheels of the rear-most vehicle at the fastest rate, or means shall be provided for applying the braking effort first on the rearmost vehicle equipped with brakes.
Brakes are required on all wheels for all trailers or semitrailers with a gross weight over 3,000 pounds; provided. The gross weight of any such trailer without brakes shall not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

New Mexico Trailer Brake Laws
Trailers must be equipped with brakes if they have a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or greater.
In any combination of motor-drawn vehicles, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle.

Ohio Trailer Brake Laws
Brakes are required if the trailer has an empty weight of over 2,000 lbs.

Oklahoma Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer with a GVWR of 3,000 lbs. or more shall be equipped with independent braking system adequate to control the movement of and to stop such a vehicle.

Oregon Trailer Brake Laws
Independent braking system not required, but combination of vehicles must be able to stop within legal limits. Every motor vehicle and combination of motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds, shall at all times be equipped with a parking brake system.

Rhode Island Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs. or more must have brakes that are adequate to slow, stop, and hold the vehicle. Brakes must be designed so they can be applied from the driver of the towing vehicle’s normal operating position and that they will be automatically applied in the case of an accidental breakaway. New trailers must have service brakes on all wheels.
Every trailer must have parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade it is operated, under all conditions of loading and on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material.

Tennessee Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes that may be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle from the cab and must be of a design such that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes will be automatically applied.

Texas Trailer Brake Laws
A trailer or pole trailer is required to have brakes if its gross weight exceeds 4,500 lbs. A trailer with a gross weight between 4,500 lbs. and 15,000 lbs. is not required to have brakes if it is towed at a speed of not more than 30 mph.

Virginia Trailer Brake Laws
Trailers must be equipped with brakes if the gross weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.
Trailers must be equipped with at least 1 red brake light on the rear of the vehicle.


West Virginia Trailer Brake Laws
Every trailer or semitrailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or more when operated on a highway must be equipped with brakes adequate to control the vehicle, and designed to be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle. The brakes must be connected in such a way that in the case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes apply automatically.
In any combination of motor-driven vehicles, the means shall be provided for applying the rearmost trailer brakes, of any trailer equipped with brakes, in approximate synchronism with the brakes of the towing vehicle and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; means must be provided for applying the braking effort on the rearmost trailer equipped with brakes; or both of the means provided if used in the alternate.
A motor vehicle or combination of motor-drawn vehicles must be capable of stopping at the following rates as if on a dry, smooth, level free road: (1) vehicles or combinations of vehicles with brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed of 14 feet per second; and (2) vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels must be able to decelerate at a speed 10.7 feet per second.

Wisconsin Trailer Brake Laws
Any trailer, semitrailer, or other towed vehicle with a GVW of 3,000 lbs. or more must be equipped with brakes adequate enough to stop the vehicle.

 

I see the thread has gone from off-topic to off-off-off topic since I've been away

 

Anything to divert from wacky buoyancy theories !