X-Shark (1/26/2010)According to Brad @ Hi Tech Marine.
http://www.aluminumboattrailer.com/contact.html
This came into affect several years ago.
Now a trailer manufacture you would think....keeps up with the laws as to how it affects his business.
Simply stating that you can go to ANY boat trailer manufacturers website and see where they do NOT list brakes as a standard feature, but an OPTIONAL feature. Many sites for these manufacturers will include a disclaimer that any dealer or individual who opts to deviate from the State Statutes will assume full responsibility in regards to the law.
Further, if you read Item a2 under Article 3 which says you must have brakes on ALL WHEELS... it reads that the exception is... "The combination of vehicles, consisting of the towing vehicle and its total towed load, is capable of complying with the performance requirements of s. 316.262."
I would bet $$ that you could call up Hi-Tech and ask them for pricing on a tandem with one set of brakes and they would be happy to oblige. Check out MagicTilt... Performance... Road King... etc... etc... you will see that they have tandem trailers with one set of brakes for sale, as well as the tandems with brakes on all wheels, or a disclosure statement. NONE will list brakes as a Standard, and thus required, component.
All in all, it comes down to what the customer wants. A believe it or not, a HIGH percentage of boat trailer purchasers do NOT want to spend the extra three to six hundred dollars to add an additional set of brakes. Law or no law.
Not trying to stir any pots and create any drama... simply stating the reality of it all. Thanks for listening.