The states vary on what trailers require brakes. Most go by weight. Idaho's law is screwy. They require them on trailers over 1500 EMPTY. I have one that weighs 1100 empty so they're not required. However, it has tandem 2k axles so I can load it to 4k gross. That's a lot of weight to be coming off a steep hill without brakes. It does have them, BTW.
