Towing without trailer brakes

[katoommaster]

I have a 2001 monico knight and we want to tow our jeep to Canada from California. Is there a law that says we got to have towing brakes on our jeep?

[hardy1000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoommaster I have a 2001 monico knight and we want to tow our jeep to Canada from California. Is there a law that says we got to have towing brakes on our jeep?

Here ya go, I use the Unified Tow Brake from US Gear and also tow a Jeep...works great.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

[Mandys Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoommaster I have a 2001 monico knight and we want to tow our jeep to Canada from California. Is there a law that says we got to have towing brakes on our jeep?

Ca. RV Manual on page 27 states no, but put the onus back on the manufacturer of the chassis.
Everything I can find on Monaco's site states above 1000 lbs requires brakes on the towed vehicle.
Leaving CA going north is not too bad as it is mostly uphill until you reach the Siskiyou Mountains. You will be wishing you had brakes on the jeep on the way down the Ashland Grade. And if you don't, you had better have a lot of experience towing and make sure the brakes on your MH are in real good condition. Even with a PacBrake, you will need the extra help to keep from overheating your brakes. As you continue further north, there will be many more grades like this one on your trip.
I'm really not trying to scare you, but as one that has done what you are planning, add the brakes to the Jeep.

The following is from the 2010 Knights weights and measurements page. (Small Print)
*Towing capacity is limited by GCWR; your vehicle's towing capacity is the difference between the GCWR and the actual vehicle weight, including all water, fuel, passengers and cargo. Your towed vehicle should be equipped with auxiliary brakes if the weight of the towed vehicle exceeds 1,000 lbs. Consult your owner's manual for further towing information.

[gto19]

make sure your not driving behind me on this trip ,especialy with your kid driving .

check out the towing forum
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/


eric

[TXiceman]

Lawyers write laws and know nothing about what they are writing laws about. Engineers understand the laws of physics and they can not be changed. It take n=more braking force to stop mre weight.

Plua y9ou should have break away brakes on the Jeep for any towing.

Ken

[Diplomat Don]

katoommaster......I believe California requires brakes on anything over 1500 pounds, but haven't checked those numbers in a while.

I doubt you'll be stopped and checked, but if you're going to take I-5 north, there are some pretty good grades and downhills after Grants Pass, Oregon.

[bare1foot]

If you like you can drive behind me on the trip and if the brakes over heat you can call me and I will nicely move out of your way and as you pass I will tell you I told you so.AH...AH>>>AH???? Just for fun,the kit for a jeep is much more inexpensive then my truck

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don katoommaster......I believe California requires brakes on anything over 1500 pounds, but haven't checked those numbers in a while. I doubt you'll be stopped and checked, but if you're going to take I-5 north, there are some pretty good grades and downhills after Grants Pass, Oregon.

Diplomat Don...I just read the attachment in Mandys Man post on the page he stated. Can you please re-read it for me? I think he is correct...but I want your interpretation too, pretty please!

[katoommaster]

Ok I know now that GTO19 has got my back and bare1foot will move out of the way. I just want to thank all the input on what I need to do. leave the jeep at home and ride with my budy's LOLOLOl

[bare1foot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoommaster Ok I know now that GTO19 has got my back and bare1foot will move out of the way. I just want to thank all the input on what I need to do. leave the jeep at home and ride with my budy's LOLOLOl

wow thats heavy I will have to think about that one for a while or should I say we will see

[Drifter]

This system works great for towing our jeep.
ReadyBrake Supplemental Brake System for Towed Vehicles - Night Shift Auto

[gto19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifter This system works great for towing our jeep. ReadyBrake Supplemental Brake System for Towed Vehicles - Night Shift Auto

This system looks easy .what made u choose this over the air force one.also what tow Bar are u using ?this system looks like it does not tap into the air brake line.

[Drifter]

When we bought the Tow Bar and brake system we had a 06 Monarch with a F53 chassis (no air brake system). The Monarch needed help with braking and the added brakes from the Jeep helped a lot. The Tow Bar is a Ready Brute under rated at 8000lb. and the base plate is a Demco.

On the Endeavor we have the brakes on the Jeep set so they only come on under very hard deceleration, so most of the time there not engaging much at all. This system is all mechanical.

We feel that if you Tow something that you are responsible for what you tow and that a brake system protects you and somebody else if there is every a problem.

[kenyonman]

I had a trucker tell me a story of an RV towing a car, that he was following. The car came loose and drove it self over a cliff. The Rv'er never knew it until he reached a weight station 3-4 miles ahead and they flagged him down. Luckily it didn't go the other way!!!! Towing without breaks??? NOT ME