Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

So I've got a 22.5 foot, 2,400 lb dry tritoon on order. I tow with a 3/4 ton. I have a dual axle trailer on order with the boat. I opted to just have one axle with brakes, and they are drums (13" wheels). Now I'm thinking that with the surge brakes, they could stay applied during a long downhill and overheat. We will be trailering a fair amount, and there is on long stretch of a downhill.

What is the norm for my size boat and trailer? Brakes on one or both axles?

Disk brakes are much better than drum brakes. You can see everything and keep the brakes in better shape. Easier to clean and take care of.

Had drums before on a trailer. Never ever again. Total pain and they jerk more when you start and stop.

Most states require brakes on one axle for certain weights. Don't need on both axles on that boat you getting. That 3/4 ton stop that boat with no problems.

with a 3 /4 ton truck you wont notice behind you

I have a 3/4 ton diesel crew can and no brakes on my trailer. There's no problem stopping. But I recognize many states require brakes over 3500 lbs.
You will be fine with single axle brakes--and legal too.

I also have 3/4 diesel crew cab and tow with no issues. You need to check all states that you tow, some states requires brakes on all axles. If I were buying a new trailer I would get electric over hydraulic disc brakes so you have better control especially going down hill and they are less maintenance.

Thanks for the replies! I'll stick with the brakes I ordered then.

rbtnt

I'm assuming a typo when you posted you'd want hydraulic over disc.

I'm guessing you meant hydraulic over electric as you can have electric or hydraulic disc brakes or drum.

There's pro's and cons to both, depending upon tow vehicle, size and amount of use.

As for 3/4 and 1 tons pulling them, almost all 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and vans have dual cylinder disc calipers instead of single cylinder and the rotors are massively different in size, with a larger amount of heat dispersion which is how brakes work.

Thanks for pointing out the typo. Yes I would use electric control with hydraulic disc brakes. I corrected my prior post.
I have smoked surge disc brakes on my larger boat going downhill and ended up wiring a switch on the dash to activate the reverse release valve when needed.

Towing that pontoon with a 3/4 ton Diesel, I'd just opt for the cheapest legal option. Straight up Electric drums is about as cheap as you can go, never liked more expensive surge brakes especially in modern trucks with factory brake controllers. I don't have brakes on my trailer and my 5.0L F150 has enough engine braking to keep speed in check on some pretty long downhill grades without touching the brakes (sounds AWESOME in 2nd @ 45mph down a 7 percent). My setup is right at the legal limit for no brakes in my state so I chose to not install brakes on my trailer when I built it. Minnesota requires brakes on Both axles if required so it isn't a cheap add-on.

[quote="rancherlee"]Towing that pontoon with a 3/4 ton Diesel, I'd just opt for the cheapest legal option. Straight up Electric drums is about as cheap as you can go, never liked more expensive surge brakes especially in modern trucks with factory brake controllers. I don't have brakes on my trailer and my 5.0L F150 has enough engine braking to keep speed in check on some pretty long downhill grades without touching the brakes (sounds AWESOME in 2nd @ 45mph down a 7 percent). My setup is right at the legal limit for no brakes in my state so I chose to not install brakes on my trailer when I built it. Minnesota requires brakes on Both axles if required so it isn't a cheap add-on.[/quote]

I agree with you. The stopping isn't my concern, the F250 and the diesel brake is great. I, like you, would prefer electric brakes, but it's not an option on this build. My concern was the surge brakes. I'm wondering if going down a long downhill with no brakes applied on truck, if the surge brakes would be on. That made me wonder if the brakes on one axle as opposed to two would heat up. I've decided to not overthink it and just go with the one axle brake option.

Some states like mine require brakes on both axles.
Glad I have them.