Yeah most trailers over a couple thousand pounds should at least have whats called "surge" brakes. I guess the pro would be no battery required in OP's case.
Nope, just an axle with hubs and wheels. I replaced the tires when I got it and there's nothing there. It weighs an estimated 1,800 - 1,900 pounds. I plan on taking it to work one day and running across our scales just to see exactly.
I have toyed with the idea of installing some type of braking system not sure though. I'm sure it makes it safer and easier on the vehicle. We've never had a trailer with brakes. Growing up we pulled a popup (old Jayco, pretty basic unit) with a small Datsun 210 pick up and then later with a Cadillac Sedan DeVille. Nothing white trashes up a Cadillac like towing a beatup popup camper behind it.