Towing a Sub-Compact

[BB501]

Does anyone tow a really small car like a Cooper or VW with just a regular old type towbar and no aux braking system?

[BB501]

Does anyone tow a really small car like a Cooper or VW with just a regular old type towbar and no aux braking system?

[Gary RVRoamer]

The size is relevant only in relation to the weight and the tow vehicle's GVWR. If the combined motorhome and toad weight is still less than the coach GVWR, then you are within the capability of the coach brake system and are OK, though it would still stop faster if you had an aux brake system in the toad. That's because the coach brake system is designed to stop the GVWR without assistance, but more braking is always better.

So, weigh your coach when loaded for the road and add the weight of the car to that and see if it will be under the coach GVWR or not.

[Pusherman]

BB501, the general recommendation is to have a toad braking system for a toad of any weight. Consider a break-away situation where the toad separates from the motorhome. You now have a missile which could cause severe injury or death to oncoming traffic.

Also, in panic stops, you will always stop faster with a toad braking system in a panic stop. For stops other than panic stops, you most likely don't need aux braking on a light toad. Trouble is, I don't know how to predict when I might be in a panic stop vs. otherwise.

To be safe, use a toad braking system. There are the 'box' type systems which install in a couple minutes, which makes it real easy to have a toad braking system.

[RV Wizard]

Recommend you call Saturn Customer Support and get it straight from the manufacturer.

[Pusherman]

I don't see any reference to Saturn in this post. Nor will Saturn tell you whether you need auxiliary braking or not (even if you were towing a Saturn).

[Route 66]

I believe all chassis manufacturers recommend supplemental braking for any type of towed vehicle or trailer that is over a certain weight.

This recommendation is not conditional on the GCWR being exceeded or not.

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">This recommendation is not conditional on the GCWR being exceeded or not. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It is the GVWR, not the GCWR, that is relavent to aux braking. Generally speaking, a chassis brake system is designed to stop the vehicle's gross loaded weight, i.e. the gVwr. The brakes are not intended to stop the Combined weight (GCWR).

Here for example is what Ford says concerning their F53 motorhome chassis (not that they recommend brakes for anything over 1500 lbs):

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> **Important: The towing vehicles brake system is rated for operation at the GVWR - NOT GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs. when loaded. The measured GCW must never exceed the GCWR. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>