1994 Saturn SC2, with Blue Ox, need brakes?

[tap4154]

I'm just getting a 2010 Tioga 28Y ready for back on the road, Have towed an old 1994 Saturn SC2 (low miles in great shape) with a Blue Ox setup, has wiring for the lights installed, but am reading about having a braking system on toads. Is this a new law, and what are the weight limits? I want to be safe, and the Saturn tows 4 down like it's not even there. Under 2500 lbs. I fully understand it on higher weight vehicles, in fact when I was a kid our trailer had a hydraulic tongue braking system, but can't seem to find definitive info. Am in CA btw.

[MSHappyCampers]

Many states require a braking system no matter what the weight is! I would not tow any vehicle without a braking system!

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Many states require a braking system no matter what the weight is! I would not tow any vehicle without a braking system!

I appreciate the reply. I'll look into the braking systems. Still would like to know the law, however. Seems very vague and hard to find conclusive answers.

But again, I feel pretty safe with this low-profile Saturn, low weight, rolling on all four with the Blue Ox. Towing a tall full-size SUV without brakes... now that would make me nervous.

I always leave a lot of room between me and vehicle ahead. Also spent many years towing a ski boat with no brakes, and a two-wheel trailer would be far more likely to jackknife when braking fast than a small coupe with four wheels on the ground

I think for the first trips out I'll be going solo, and just take the ebike on a rack. It is nice to have the car for touring if staying in one place for a while, but in some cases for short trips, or doing day stops, it's not necessary. Also easy to park at a grocery store in a class C 28 footer, if need be.

[tap4154]

Ah, I found it. In CA you aren't required to have brakes on the towed vehicle if it's under 3,000 lbs. At least according to this page...



https://rvibrake.com/pages/flat-towing-law

[bldrbob]

So if you never leave California and the towbar never disconnects you are good to go.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by bldrbob

So if you never leave California and the towbar never disconnects you are good to go.

According to the link I posted towing the Saturn, below 2500 lbs, would be legal in most states. Blue Ox is a solid towing system and I'm obsessive about making sure it's on correctly, and that the security chains are on.

[Dark Sky]

I suggest you read the thread 'The Physics of Towed Vehicle Braking' that is pinned near the top of this forum. It's got some good information to help make an informed decision. You might also google the phrase 'failed tow bars' for some interesting reading.
Your toad is a light vehicle but it is still well over a ton of static weight. I would consider replacing the safety cables with actual chains if you're not going to use supplemental braking.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by Dark Sky

I suggest you read the thread 'The Physics of Towed Vehicle Braking' that is pinned near the top of this forum. It's got some good information to help make an informed decision. You might also google the phrase 'failed tow bars' for some interesting reading.
Your toad is a light vehicle but it is still well over a ton of static weight. I would consider replacing the safety cables with actual chains if you're not going to use supplemental braking.

I have read that. Also have read several stories about the Blue Ox failing. Two cases were a Ford Escape (4,000 lbs) and a Jeep (2,500?) that had braking systems. In both instances the driver braked quickly, then sped up. What seems to me happened is when they suddenly braked, the toad braking system kicked in, but didn't release fast enough when they accelerated, perhaps causing the tow bar failure.

So in my view the remote braking system can actually introduce yet another variable that may not be worth the risk in my case, with only a 2300 lb small coupe.

I hit the brakes had, the Saturn (with braking system) locks up, I accelerate as the Saturn brakes are still locked up = broken tow arm, maybe even cables.

So I guess there's no way to remove all risk. We all have to look at our circumstances and make a choice, unless that choice has been mandated by law.

As far as towing a 4,000+ lb vehicle behind the MH, my choice would be not to do that.

[Dark Sky]

I sincerely hope that your decision works out well for you.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by Dark Sky

I sincerely hope that your decision works out well for you.

I appreciate that. And again, IMHO both of those tow bar failures I cited may not have occurred had they not had the remote braking system.