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Gordon Dewald · 04-13-2016, 05:55 PM

Did a quick search on the web with the following results:

Towing Laws | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle

M & G Engineering - Car Braking Systems: State Brake Laws

Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories

Some interesting reading. One of the interesting issues is the warranty on the towing vehicle if certain weights are exceeded without brakes. Workhorse and Ford were used as examples.

Don't forget these articles are written by folks whose interest is in you buying a braking system. But they make sense.

TonyMac · 04-13-2016, 06:00 PM

When you get to the scene of the accident, you'll be glad you had a supp brake in your toad. Kinda like seatbelts, everybody should were them even tho most will never need them. It's legal Darwinism.

That being said, I just sold my parents DP, it had about 160k on it and they put another 160k on their previous one, usually towing a toad and never with supp brakes. My inheritance at risk, I always asked if they would like me to set them up with an easy-to-connect system, they always said no. What could I say...but you can bet your farm I have one.

grace2day · 04-13-2016, 07:59 PM

Thank you for your responses everyone.

bluepill · 04-13-2016, 08:14 PM

Some physics I considered before I bought a braking system for my toad:

My MH weighs 29000 pounds loaded.

My SUV toad weighs 5000 pounds.

Braking distance will increase about 20% with the toad and no brakes.

That could mean the difference between just stopping in time, or hitting another vehicle at about 10 - 15 MPH.

Doesn't sound too bad until you consider that my combo is 10 times heavier than the average car.

DGBPokes · 04-13-2016, 08:33 PM

I have had one for two different rigs now. I can tell a difference when I am stopping if it in place, or I got lazy and didn't put it in.

I want the trooper investigating my accident to look in and see it......and after the accident bet you a cheeseburger he can't tell if it was operational or not, but he will testify it had one.

Sue46 · 04-14-2016, 02:13 AM

I would seriously question the knowledge of that dealer. I am not even sure I would have him do any work. If he feels that he can skirt laws regarding a braking system what else is he doing that no one know about.

grace2day · 04-14-2016, 08:54 AM

Again, I appreciate everyone's passionate advice. I did a more detailed search here and realize I stirred up a hornet's nest. Sorry for that.

It's clear that there is a sizable percentage of the population that simply chooses to not use the brakes, and dealers and the OEM realizes it. That population takes risks, legal or otherwise.

Better or worse.

The remaining percentage is clearly passionate about the foolhardiness of doing so.

At a certain level I'm sorry I brought this up as my first post.

1ciderdog · 04-14-2016, 10:31 AM

When I was younger with less $$ I towed without tow braking system and never had a problem but now older with just enough $$ to afford braking system I don't travel without it.

mel s · 04-14-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusherman

I am not intending to be disrespectful, but YES, you are a fool if you consider not installing brakes.

I resemble that remark.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 04-15-2016, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grace2day

Again, I appreciate everyone's passionate advice. I did a more detailed search here and realize I stirred up a hornet's nest. Sorry for that.

It's clear that there is a sizable percentage of the population that simply chooses to not use the brakes, and dealers and the OEM realizes it. That population takes risks, legal or otherwise.

Better or worse.

The remaining percentage is clearly passionate about the foolhardiness of doing so.

At a certain level I'm sorry I brought this up as my first post.

grace2day-

This is an excellently balanced summary. I, for one, did notice your similar mid-thread post (#12).

Welcome to the iRV2 family, where some of us raise our voices and gesticulate wildly, but rarely throw the crockery at one another (bringing the ever-watchful, long-suffering and unpaid moderators into the "discussion"). I've noticed that after the emotion subsides, we go back to appreciating one another's strengths and overlooking one another's shortcomings.

That said, perhaps there should be a "super sticky" somewhere on iRV2 that indicates the "passion content" of the top 10 RV topics. Now, about toilet paper hitch ratings tire pressures... ;-)