Thinking about adding brakes to my trailer. I know that the EZ-Loader salesman will tell me all about them, but I wanted to get some opinions from you all. Is there a company that makes a better braking system for this single axle trailer? 

Also, whats a ballpark cost?

Is this for a boat  and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

I'm considering adding brakes for a few reasons.  I'm probably gonna be pulling the bassboat with a GMC Acadia.  The Acadia has a towing capacity of 5200 lbs which is plenty, but it's not gonna tow it like my old F150 did.  I'd just like the extra braking power if I needed it in an emergency.   After reading your post on the cost of it, it might be cost prohibitive.  We'll see, I don't know if ti's what I really wanna do.  I'm just doing a little due diligence.

I have surge brakes on my trailer.  They perform very well.  Not sure of the cost but they don't require electrical control.

I used to tow my 18' glass boat with a small Nissan p/u.  I never had a probelm stoping thanks to those breaks even though that truck was very light.

I don't think I'd buy a glass boat without surge brakes on the trailer after the experience I have had with them, even though I have a much heavier tow vehicle now.

Is this for a boat and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

What does the number of axles have to do with needing brakes?  Weight is weight and unless you're pulling with a heavy truck (e.g. F250/350, etc), you're always better off to have some extra braking.

Is this for a boat and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

What does the number of axles have to do with needing brakes? Weight is weight and unless you're pulling with a heavy truck (e.g. F250/350, etc), you're always better off to have some extra braking.

Personally i don't know.. I just built the trailers. The company i worked for built boat trailers for most of the marine dealers around the southeast and none of the single axle were ordered w/ a braking system. If i were to venture a guess it would be that the tandem and triple axle trailers were reserved for heavier boats that would require the extra stopping power.

Is this for a boat and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

What does the number of axles have to do with needing brakes? Weight is weight and unless you're pulling with a heavy truck (e.g. F250/350, etc), you're always better off to have some extra braking.

Agreed.  I have a single axle trailer with a 1575 lb boat and a 200 HP engine.  This is the trailer that was matched with the boat when it was new.  I have brakes and they are useful with this much weight. 

Is this for a boat and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

What does the number of axles have to do with needing brakes? Weight is weight and unless you're pulling with a heavy truck (e.g. F250/350, etc), you're always better off to have some extra braking.

Agreed. I have a single axle trailer with a 1575 lb boat and a 200 HP engine. This is the trailer that was matched with the boat when it was new. I have brakes and they are useful with this much weight.

Just curious did the trailer come with the brakes or did you put the on after you bought it?

I bought the boat used back in 2007 but the original owner told me the brakes were part of the trailer package when he bought it new. The boat is a 2000 Stratos 295 Pro Elite. Since I wasn't there at the original purchase I can't provide 100 percent proof he is correct, but the paint used on the trailer and all hardware perfectly matches the gelcoat so I feel confident that this trailer came with the brakes. I guess it's possible he could have had the brakes installed at the time of purchase.

I'm gonna call EZ-Loader and get more info and pricing on the brakes.  I'll let yall know what they say.

I have brakes on my bassboat and last year ordered a new pontoon boat. I ordered a tandem axle trailer with brakes(because they tow better). The trailer manufacturer will build a single axle with or without brakes, with 10 inch to 15 in wheels. Pretty much whatever you want.

To respond to the your question, this should help:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200338664_200338664

I have a single axle trailer which came with my Z7.  It has brakes, and it makes a huge difference.

I have to use the brake lock on one of the places I launch.  The "ramp" is sand, and if the trailer wheel hits a soft spot or depression the brakes will lock.

On a couple of occasions, I forgot to pull the pin after loading the boat, and the difference in braking was significant.  It only took one application of the brakes to let me know I forgot to pull the pin.

Is this for a boat and if so may i ask why you want brakes on a single axle?? unless you are having trouble stopping the brakes won't do much. The reason i ask is when i used to build trailers we never made a single axle trailer with brakes. Only tandem and triple axle got the brakes. As far as cost the hydraulic actuator is gonna run 150-250 the drum brakes are gonna run 130-250 and then of course the hydraulic lines and that depends on how big the trailer is. Hope this helps

Why. In PA any boat & trailer package over 3,000lbs is required to have trailer brakes single or tandem axle. I have a 2011 Z-7 and the brakes do help without question you can feel the difference.

Tight Lines

Pa Angler