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03-06-2016, 07:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
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Auxiliary Brakes
Do I need auxiliary breaks on my tow vehicle to travel out west from Florida to California? I have a 38' motorhome.
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Mark
2002 40 PWD Monaco Windsor
Flat Towing Honda CR-V
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03-06-2016, 07:28 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 687
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In a word yes, you do need brakes (breaks) on your towed vehicle . Does the law require it? Who cares,since it is safety that should be our priority.
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04 Southwind 37C W22
DIY Rear Panhard Rod
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03-06-2016, 07:46 AM
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#3
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,558
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Some states do not require aux. brakes for a toad. But if you travel through a state where it is required, you will not be grand fathered you must have them.
Besides if you look at the chart, a vehicle with aux. brakes will stop faster, than a rig without it. Sometimes that could be the difference between avoiding and having an accident.
Best of luck and Happy Trails!!!
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Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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03-06-2016, 07:47 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 77
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Yes. Most states require brakes on towed vehicles based on varied (Google 'em) weight limits. Most cars clearly exceed these weight limits by 1000 lbs. or more. We tow a 2300 lb. Saturn Vue with our DP (air brakes) and supplemental braking on the toad (BrakeBuddy) makes a vary noticeable difference on a hard stop! I learned this when failing to fully plug-in the 12v power supply. Enjoy your trip!
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Excursion 33D & Vue Toad
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03-06-2016, 07:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 706
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Absolutely agree with all the above. When you get hit with a quick red light, start done a 4 mile 6% grade or some not so attentive driver takes "your safety space" and you hit your on brakes, you'll be incredibly glad to feel the toad taking care of itself. IMO even if legal without - you and your passenger safety is most important without option.
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US Army Retired - loving it in our Challenger 37TB.
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03-06-2016, 08:10 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyDi
if you look at the chart, a vehicle with aux. brakes will stop faster, than a rig without it.
Sometimes that could be the difference between avoiding and having an accident.
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TonyDi
True 
However it's also true that if you travel at 45 MPH your coach will stop faster than if you drive at 60 MPH.... (but I have never seen anyone recommend traveling at 45 MPH).
Mel
'96 Safari
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03-06-2016, 08:20 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,444
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mel s
TonyDi
True
However it's also true that if you travel at 45 MPH your coach will stop faster than if you drive at 60 MPH.... (but I have never seen anyone recommend traveling at 45 MPH).
Mel
'96 Safari |
I recommend traveling 45 mph, that way I can pass people while I do 55.
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03-06-2016, 08:37 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
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A young girl on a bicycle is alive because I could stop sooner.
Dave and Nola, RV Mutants
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03-06-2016, 09:27 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Williams Lake,BC Canada
Posts: 1,230
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If you don't have them and get in an accident the other lawyer will have fun.
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2020 Triple E Wonder RTB
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03-06-2016, 09:42 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Carolina Campers
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 3,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh2013
Do I need auxiliary breaks on my tow vehicle to travel out west from Florida to California? I have a 38' motorhome.
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What are you towing and how are you towing it?
If you are towing it on a dolly that is equipped with a braking system, maybe not...
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03-06-2016, 05:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Williams Lake,BC Canada
Posts: 1,230
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anything without preinstalled brakes.
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2020 Triple E Wonder RTB
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03-06-2016, 05:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat
I recommend traveling 45 mph, that way I can pass people while I do 55.
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So you'll be the second one there! 
__________________
Steve & Nancy 
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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03-06-2016, 05:38 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,581
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In my younger years I didn't feel a need for the tow car brakes but I have changed and don't tow without them so my 2 cents work it have them.
__________________
 Bob & Sandi, dogs Tasha a Frenchie and Tiki a Skipperkey
SW OREGON 2005 34 foot DolphinLX
If towing: a bright red 2016 Mini Cooper on a tow dolly.
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03-06-2016, 07:59 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 884
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If you don't have auxiliary BRAKES you might end up BREAKING something.
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