Community Forums

nalcon · 03-22-2010, 08:24 PM

When I checked with my insurance agent (Texas) he said no brakes were required and he had never heard of a lawsuit because of no toad brakes. Plenty of suits over crashes but none specifically because of no toad brakes. He also said he has never heard of anyone getting a ticket for not having aux braking before or after an accident.

I believe in toad brakes. But if you are sooo concerned about safety and stopping you should consider not having a toad because it requires more stopping distance than without a toad. (even with aux brakes)

Gary RVRoamer · 03-24-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

RV Roamer: The post by Dieselclacker does includes Section 26454 of the Code which is able to stop from 20mph in 50 feet.

Sorry - I should have said that the actual text of 26454 was not included here. Not that I have any reason to doubt 'clackers summary of it, but the point was about quoting specific laws and here we have an actual quote of one section coupled to somebody's interpretation of another.

As you mentioned, Florida has a similar minimum stopping distance law. I believe Texas does as well.

As I read the information that dieselclacker provided, CA does NOT have a hard requirement for aux brakes in a toad. However, they MAY be required if the combined rig cannot meet the minimum stopping distance requirement. That obviously would require a test of the equipment, so you would not have to worry about getting a ticket in a routine traffic stop merely for having no brake system installed.

wa8yxm · 03-24-2010, 11:00 AM

Humm... Clacker said it was a cut and paste

Did the google bit.. Clacker cut and pasted all right.. What I discovered on the state's web server was exactly what he posted.

Now.. What I read of his post... is that they DO require brakes on a car towed UNLESS it's on the hook of a tow truck.

BobGed · 03-24-2010, 03:30 PM

Read what Dieselclacker & Rich and Cork have posted regarding Calif very carefully. They essentially are saying the same thing. As long as you can stop within the required distance, there is no legal requirement in California for toad brakes, or even a break away system, when towing four down. I'm originally from Calif and lost a bet on this one as I was sure as long as they required trailer brakes at 1500 lbs, they would certainly require toad brakes, or at least a break away system, but not so.
This really make no sense to me since if a trailer becomes separated from the towed vehicle, the tongue of the trailer will have a tendency slide on the road surface or shoulder of the road thereby slowing itself down. A free wheeling toad on the other hand will definitely keep rolling much longer.

Always-RVing · 03-24-2010, 10:29 PM

Whew!! It's not easy to say what every state law requires, but if you have a braking system, there is no more a need to be concerned.

Getting there safe is more important than getting there.

wa8yxm · 03-25-2010, 11:39 AM

I re-read what Clacker cut and pasted and I have to agree that it specifically excluded towed motor vehicles.. I missed a word in my original read. Sorry

Mandys Man · 03-25-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

I re-read what Clacker cut and pasted and I have to agree that it specifically excluded towed motor vehicles.. I missed a word in my original read. Sorry

I totally agree with dieselclacker. Aux brakes are not required in Calif as long as you can meet the stopping distance stated. "The stopping distance mentioned in Section 26454 of the code is from 20 mph to zero in 50 ft"

HOWEVER, All of the MH manufacturers include in small print on their towing requirements something like the following, which is taken from the new Diplomat Specs::::
*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.

Take note, this coach has a 10,000 lb towing capacity, and either a 36,000 or a 43,000 gross combined weight rating depending on model #. So, all the arguing over whether or not you need aux brakes is a moot point. The manufacturers are basically stating that you do.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-27-2010, 07:37 PM

Those two sentences contradict each other, though. Which is it? 1000 lbs or the difference between GCWR and actual weight? That would be more than an 8000 lb difference on my coach!

Besides, the manufacturers warning, whatever it may be, is just to cover their butt in the case something goes wrong.

Tropiccafe · 04-04-2010, 03:03 PM

I have read all the posts on this subject and still do not know if it is legal to pull a toad behind a motor home.

BobGed · 04-04-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropiccafe

I have read all the posts on this subject and still do not know if it is legal to pull a toad behind a motor home.

The clear cut answer is, it depends.....on whatcha got and whatcha gonna tow.

mrblanche · 04-04-2010, 07:49 PM

What it really depends on is the officer who stops you, and how angry you've made him. If a state trooper pulls you over, don't be surprised if he knows the law very well. If a local pulls you over, he'll probably only write you for your probable cause (speeding, improper lane use, etc.), not for the niggling stuff he CAN write you for.

Pulling two trailers in CA, however, will get you a ticket and a ride on a flatbed no matter who stops you.

MerryDM · 05-04-2011, 05:33 AM

I read with interest the posted information on Toad Motor Vehicle Brake Requirements by state. That was very helpful to my husband and I as we are very new at this.

We are trying to decide which way to go - tow dolly vs. tow bar ( 4 wheels on th ground) My car - a Hyundai Sonata cannot tow 4 on the ground and we are reluctant to get rid of his Tahoe and get a smaller car to replace it.
does anyone have any expereince with different brands of tow dollies?
We have narrowed it down to several brands ( Tow Master, Master Tow and American Tow dolly ) one of which has a brake box. I beleive my husband said they all have braking systems, which we both this is important. Anyone care to comment on drawbacks of any of the above? Not asking for any endorsements from anyone just good or bad experiences you may have had
merrydm

wa8yxm · 05-04-2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777

There sure is a lot of descrepancy around what appears to be official documents.

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

and

Toad Brake Requirements

There is a difference in some states referring to a trailer or a car being towed. Are the documents up-to-date? Do they reflect the latest laws?

ALL the charts I have seen contain massive errors in that they all talk about when trailers need brakes and in many cases will say that a towed car does not need brakes because no where in the state law does it say "A car in tow needs to have a braking system" or words to that effect.

What the law in many states says (And I suspect it is in all the "No system requried states) is that a trailer is any vehicle with or without motive power (of it's own) that is designed to be towed so it's weight does not rest on the towing vehicle.

In short, a car in tow *IS* a Trailer, and thus the trailer laws apply to cars in tow.. The sample wording above is based upon the Michigan law.

Any chart that says you don't need brakes in Michigan.. WRONG!

NOTE: Michigan is the only state for which I have the vehicle code on the hard drive.. I'm guessing on the other 49.

NOTE 2: I do not care if the state requries it or not,, You slam into the back of my rig, car, or anything else due to no brakes on your towed and I'm going to talke to Mr. B. Dover, attorney at law, about "Reckless Endangerment" and ask for at least six figures.