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11-27-2019, 10:12 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Battle Ground WA
Posts: 37
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Towing a 20 foot trailer behind a 40 foot Monaco and BRAKES
Help...newbies here and just purchased a cargo trailer to haul the side-x-side in. Getting ready to take off in a couple of days and dang if our son didn't say something abut a tow brake. Uh Oh.
Question: Is a tow brake required to be installed in the motor home to help the trailer stop? I know we have one in our truck but the motor home?
Any help would be most appreciated.
Julie
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11-27-2019, 10:23 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 215
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Probably legally you need a brake. I think it is over 3000# or 3500# here.
Will the MH stop it fine without, probably.
Hate to kill someone or even just get sued to save a few hundred, I realize your time is probably more of a factor than the money though if you leave in a few days.
__________________
'09 Camelot 42KFQ
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11-27-2019, 11:10 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,608
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Does the enclosed trailer have brakes?
If so I would recommend installing a brake contoller for the trailer.
Here is a link that might help
Brake Controller Location Guide for Monaco Brand Motor Homes - Unified Tow Brake
Your Diplomat may be prewired for a controller which would make the job easy.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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11-27-2019, 11:23 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,446
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The Motorhome has brakes designed to stop it, at maximum load.
The trailer should have brakes to stop it.
Together, they will stop everything safely.
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11-27-2019, 12:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 583
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Yes on a brake controller.
Part of the reason for brakes on the trailer is to stop it if it becomes unhooked. Make sure that is addressed. The trailer may already have a battery and break-away system.
Matt B
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Matt B
1998 Foretravel U-320
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11-27-2019, 12:51 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,668
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlanBee
Hate to kill someone or even just get sued ....
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Do not worry about getting sued. The executor of your estate will handle it.
So who gets killed when a MH can not stop fast enough. Driver, front passenger, any passengers not wearing seat belts.
IIRC, 100% of the class A fatalities last year were towing. One of the three was a 6 year old child not wearing a seat belt.
I think a Class A MH is a great tow vehicle and very safe if you slow down and safely stop.
__________________
Kit & Rita (in memory)
37 foot ‘98 HolidayRambler Endeavor diesel pusher
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11-27-2019, 12:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 532
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Tekonsha P3 is a great controller. That was my choice when selecting a brake controller for my coach and trailer.
Yes you need trailer brakes.....You can set the Tekonsha up to give you maximum braking and control. E-trailer is a good source to purchase.
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2006 Dynasty 38' Bishop III Tag. Pulling GMC Yukon or Race Trailer.
2000 Dynasty 36' (Sold) first coach
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11-27-2019, 12:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Florida Keys
Posts: 2,687
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I have a Tekonsha 90250 wireless brake controller. A little pricey at $279 but you install it in 10 minutes. Plus the controller plugs into your cigarette lighter and can move to other vehicles to tow the trailer.
One other important factor is a TPMS (Temp Pressure Monitor System) to watch your RV and your trailer tires. You blow a tire and you're the last one to find out you have a problem. Everyone sees the smoke before you! (I speak from experience...)
__________________
Tom and Katharine
'07 Winnebago Tour 40TD, 400hp Cummins
'17 Winnebago View 24V, '02 R-Vision B+
RVing for 20 years & 200,000+ miles
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11-27-2019, 01:00 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NorCal
Posts: 3,000
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Welcome to the forum, you did not mention year/model of your coach but there is a good chance your coach is factory wired for brake controller. Good Luck.
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Outbound
2002 Monaco Executive 500 ISM
2004 GMC 2500HD 4X4
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11-27-2019, 01:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: fulltime
Posts: 680
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my coach is 39ft and i tow a trailer 8.5 x 20 which with the tongue length is 25ft so total 64ft by law you need a brake.
the trailer should have brakes so you just need to get a trailer brake controller.
Hopkins Towing Solution Impulse Electronic Brake Control is about 80 bucks at autozone. it is the one i have been using and find it very good
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2006 winnebago adventurer 38t 2018 carry-on hawkline enclosed 8.5x20 2007 mini cooper convertible 2012 hd xl1200c
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11-27-2019, 02:02 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,010
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In most states, if a trailer is equipped by the factory with brakes they are required to be operational. Does the trailer have brakes? If so, hook 'em up.
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11-27-2019, 02:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3,165
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Most states require brakes to be fitted on trailers with a gross weight over 3,000 pounds. Many experts recommend them on trailers rated for 1,500 pounds and above. Trailer brakes can be mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic.
It also need emergency brake away.
__________________
2011 Keystone Sprinter 323 BHS. Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale MA. Retired Master Electrician. All Motor homes are RV's. All RV's are not Motor homes.
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11-27-2019, 04:44 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 24
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I bought an RF Prodigy brake controller! Easiest thing in the world! No wiring at all!
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11-27-2019, 06:20 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 97
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One thing most everyone seems to be missing, does the trailer you are towing have electric brakes or hydraulic brakes ? If it has hydraulic surge brakes then no, a controller is not needed or required. If it has electric brakes, then yes, you will need a electric brake controller
Michael
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