Free-backing Titan Brake Assembly # T4423400 Recommendation for a Sailboat Trailer

Published 07/07/2011

Question:

Why would one choose between single-servo and free-backing brakes styles? I need to replace all the brakes on a twin 3500 lb axle boat trailer, plus a new coupler or rebuild the existing, and can use anything I want. If free-backing is an improvement, why do they even bother making single-servo these days? The originals were 10 x 2-1/4 single-servo with a 6000 lb Dico lever lock coupler no reverse lockout. Im considering using either Titan no lockout or Atwood has mech. lockout, but that decision probably depends on the choice of brake style. Disk would be nice, but I cant justify the cost. So given a clean slate, what would you recommend?. Oh, trailer is a steel OEM 1999 MacGregor for a 26X sailboat, reworked for two axles.

asked by: Thomas K

Expert Reply:

The choice of free backing brakes or not comes down to a couple different factors. If the trailer has a lockout (electric or hydraulic) then free backing plates would be redundant as their would already be a system that would allow for reversing without the brakes being activated.

If you have a coupler that does not have a reverse lockout feature then free backing plates would be the solution to allow for backing up without activating the brakes.

If it were me I would choose a setup that utilizes free backing brakes over a reverse lockout. Having a manual lockout would be an extra step that you would need to complete, and if you were to forget to reactivate your brakes you could put yourself in a dangerous situation being on the highway without trailer brake.

Electric reverse lockouts can be effective also, but since this is a boat trailer you might encounter problems submerging wiring in water when you launch your boat.

Whereas free backing plates will always allow you to back up without the brakes being applied and have less potential to fail.

If your brake mounting flange bolt pattern on your axle has a bolt pattern of 4 on 4 inches the Titan Trailer Brake Assembly # T4423400 would be the correct brake assembly for you.

I attached installation instructions for this product also.