Yeah we run brakes like those on our patrol boat trailers, there called surge brakes and actually use a hydraulic cylinder instead of a cable and we have a solenoid that shuts the line when the reverse lights come on so its easier to back up.

 

yeah, we like to back up over here.

I know how they work, I have seen hydraulic surge brakes on bigger equipment trailers.
chains are required here I believe. even on the smallest trailers, if the trailer comes off the ball the chains keep it from flying into traffic and causing horrible things such as what happened to Busta. another plus is looping them under the tongue so if it does pop off the tongue won't fall to the ground and act like an anchor. never had that happen but I would imagine it's easier to control the stop.

the breakaway setup you show there uses the cable to activate the brakes manually? what happens when the cable snaps? thats why I like electronic brakes with a breakaway box, power stays with the trailer so if it comes off the ball, the breakaway chains rip off the truck.. the trailer is still going to stop on it's own.

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ok,

Trailer is automatically covered under my insurance policy, only if I'm towing it. liability up to my policy limit if it causes damage, and $500 loss coverage if it's stolen or hit.. If I want anything else from them I have to put commercial on it

 

Most all truck insurance will also cover the trailer as long as it's attached even if it's a loaner. The key here is that no money, or agreed up on payment has been transacted. Even a dollar trades hands and it's a commercial enterprise and that makes insurance invalid.

 

i have leased trailers in the past and all they want is my insurance card. but in the last year i have also added an unspecified trailer to my insurance policy. i havent needed it yet but if i ever do i'll be proud i have it

 

thats the setup all the ranger boat trialers use. they work pretty good, unless ur pulling the boat around with a tractor and try to back up, kinda pisses u off when it locks up lmao

 

well over here in dfw texas, the comerical companies that rent out a trailers cost about 100-200 a day depending on size...

 

the cable(stranded wire) acts as an emergency brake in the case you loose the trailer and pulls the brake.
the brake lever is actuated by trailer movement. the car brakes and mass pushes the trailer forward. The lever is actuated by the pushing trailer.
So depending on applied brake force the trailer breaks soft or very hard(as an example in an emergency)
I do like that system.
trailer rental over here is around 20 to 30 bucks per day for a 3000lbs trailer.

 

Haha yeah the solenoid fails some times too thats why we carry around a big C clamp to lock it so we can back up.

 

This was a helpful thread, as I have loaned my trailer out once so far. Not likely I'll do it again. I made sure the guy had a strong enough tow rig and a proper hitch and he seemed to know/understand every thing I told him about it. I really just prefer to tow it myself and charge for gas money if someone needs something hauled.

 

I do the same thing that way I know my trailer is taken care of.