[MichaelDay]

Capt, I am surprised that you didn't notice a braking difference towing a trailer without brakes. I notice a braking difference just loading about 600-800 pounds of "stuff" inside my GT. The brakes on most vehicles are designed to function "adequately" at the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and even 1-ton vehicles such as pickups and vans rated to tow 10,000-14,000 pounds typically allow only 1,000 pounds as the maximum weight for a towed trailer without brakes. Brakes on a trailer do make a major difference. I have towed trailers (4,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds) behind one half ton to one ton trucks/vans for years and if the electric connector isn't making contact it was obvious in a hurry. One good stop without working trailer brakes on a multi-thousand pound trailer can warp a trucks rotors with a single application.

Terrain also makes a major difference. Brakes heat up quickly going down steep grades. Using the transmission's lower gears to help keep the speed from increasing is critical on steep grades, as is maintaining a MUCH slower speed than many think is necessary. A large number of people who tow small trailers aren't aware of the limitations of their brakes until they don't have any braking capacity left. That is a bad time to find out. I have been passed by folks towing small trailers at crazy speeds (70+ mph). I have, unfortunately, stopped to assist some of them after they left the road and turned over when their brakes failed or severe sway set in and pushed them off the road.

Trailers without brakes make me nervous. I have experienced sway on a 34' trailer when being passed by a semi-tractor/trailer in gusty high wind conditions. If you apply trailer brakes quickly, the sway stops. Without trailer brakes you have a more difficult time bringing your rig back under control. The worse thing you can do is hit the brakes in the tow vehicle if the trailer starts to sway and it doesn't have brakes. That will almost guaranty a jack-knife condition.

Please be careful out there towing. I have seen more destroyed small trailers on the side of the road than destroyed large trailers.

JT, if you can add brakes to your tent trailer, it would be well worth the cost if you plan to tow very far or in much terrain. Slow down when towing and enjoy your camping. A PT and a small tent trailer are a good combination for fun.