The 1,500 lb. rule is for a trailer coach or camp trailer. I do not plan on carrying over 1,000 lbs.
in our utility trailer, which would be below the 3,000 lb. limit for our 2011 M1101. On our 1988 800 lb.
M116a3 we could carry much more, but we do not intend to carry over 1,000 lbs on it also. I agree with
you that having trailer brakes is a good thing, and will probably add electric brakes even though
they are not legally required for our uses.
26302. (a) Every trailer or semitrailer, manufactured and first
registered after January 1, 1940, and having a gross weight of 6,000
pounds or more and which is operated at a speed of 20 miles per hour
or over shall be equipped with brakes.
(b) Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured and first registered
after January 1, 1966, and having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or
more shall be equipped with brakes on at least two wheels.
(c) Every trailer or semitrailer manufactured after January 1,
1982, and equipped with air brakes shall be equipped with brakes on
all wheels.
(d) Brakes required on trailers or semitrailers shall be adequate,
supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the
combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance
requirements of Section 26454.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any vehicle
being used to support the boom or mast attached to a mobile crane or
shovel.
26303. Every trailer coach and every camp trailer having a gross
weight of 1,500 pounds or more, but exclusive of passengers, shall be
equipped with brakes on at least two wheels which are adequate,
supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the
combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance
requirements of Section 26454.