brake question PLEASE HELP

[airstreamer]

i am two days from purchasing a 58 airstream 18 foot model. The current owner says it does not have or need brakes because it is very light and easy to tow. My tow vehicle is an 07 fj cruiser 6 cyl. I need opinions from the experts. Please help clock is ticking.

[Excella CM]

Brakes would be better. You could tow cautiously w/o them, but a lot depends on how far you need to go. Definitely low speeds.

[rickandsandi]

Greetings and welcome to the forum! A 1958 AS is probably a good canidate by this time for a new axel, so if I were purchasing the trailer I would plan on installing a new axel with electric brakes. It's more of a matter to control of a trailer in an emergency. Could you without brakes, sure idiots do it all the time. Should you, not in my honest opion. But hey, this is what the forum is all about. People sharing their ideas and thoughts.

[airstreamer]

low speeds?? What does that mean 55 mph. I am in los angeles and my standard trips will be santa barbara to san diego

[airstreamer]

It has a new axle just no brakes. What is an aprox. cost for brakes?

[Excella CM]

I was referring to towing to get it home and then to put brakes on ASAP. I agree with others that brakes are a must for general use. Brake units are about $50-100 per wheel, plus a controller for the truck (@100) and some wiring and a break-away switch. Literally the cheapest insurance you can AND SHOULD buy.

[7xp]

Airstreamer
Here is a site that shows the brake laws for all the states, I don't know how current it is but it is AAA compiled data. Hope this helps..."Mac"
state brake laws

[Action]

What is an fj crusier?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Action]

I found it. It is a Toyota. It is rated to tow 5000 pounds. Make sure your trailer is under 5000. Actually under 4500 would be a better place. And for most states brakes are required on towed loads over 3000 pounds.

If it weighs under 3K #'s, brakes could be left off. And they would make a difference in a panic situation.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[rickandsandi]

Originally Posted by Action

I found it. It is a Toyota. It is rated to tow 5000 pounds. Make sure your trailer is under 5000. Actually under 4500 would be a better place. And for most states brakes are required on towed loads over 3000 pounds.

If it weighs under 3K #'s, brakes could be left off. And they would make a difference in a panic situation.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Actually, the 5000# is total weight which is supposed to include anything placed in the trailer and anything placed in the tow vehicle minus the driver.

[Action]

My source shows the 5000# figure includes the total towed load. (IE max weight of trailer and contents of trailer) Nothing to do with the tow vehicle.

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[overlander63]

Originally Posted by airstreamer

It has a new axle just no brakes. What is an aprox. cost for brakes?

Northern has 12" brakes for $139/pair, and drums are about $80/each. I don't think you need more than 10" brakes, that is just the ones I was looking at for ours when I found your question.