Community Forums

bandit2026 · 10-22-2021, 10:43 AM

How. Many tow without a break syste

Flyer15015 · 10-22-2021, 10:47 AM

I sometimes tow a 2004 Dodge caravan on a Master Tow dolly that does not have brakes.
Four trips to Florida and back to Colorado with no incidents, knock on wood.........

Mike in Colorado

uchu · 10-22-2021, 11:40 AM

Towing anything over 3,000 lbs without assisted braking is illegal pretty much anywhere in the USA and Canada, with very few exceptions.

https://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws.html

Crasher · 10-22-2021, 11:58 AM

You don't need an auxiliary brake system for your toad,,,,,,,,,,UNTIL YOU DO!!!! But then it's too late. As mentioned, most states have a 3,000# legal requirement. I know we will never be without one.

Old-Biscuit · 10-22-2021, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchu

Towing anything over 3,000 lbs without assisted braking is illegal pretty much anywhere in the USA and Canada, with very few exceptions.

https://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws.html

And for good reason........

768Q · 10-22-2021, 12:11 PM

If it is a hassle to add a brake controller your reasoning, consider this. I use this as my '01 Beaver does not have a blue prewire and because of adding one and the hassle of the exhaust brake I went this way, https://www.tekonsha.com/Product/902...l-proportional
Works perfect once you do the initial sink which I had to find complete instructions on the net as the ones that come with are pretty much useless.

Here is how to properly "pair" it: https://www.etrailer.com/question-24066.html

MRUSA14 · 10-22-2021, 12:18 PM

Imagine you are driving down the road and a little girl on a bike darts out in front of you. She senses the danger and stops, frozen, in front of you and stares at you like a deer caught in headlights. You press hard on the brake pedal, your RV's antiskid brakes and your tow car's auxiliary brakes both go into action, and you stop just inches from the little girl and her bike. Wow, that was too close for comfort.

Now imagine the same scenario, except this time with NO brakes on the toad.

And that's why you need brakes on the toad. Not because of insurance, not because of this state or that state's laws, but because of that little girl.

TXiceman · 10-22-2021, 12:25 PM

Some states require brakes on loads over 1500#. Some gas chassis motorhome manufactures require brakes on towed loads over 1500#.

Physical laws are pretty simple that it takes more braking force to stop the movement of a heavier load. The towed vehicle is more weight, so it takes more braking force.

Ken

K Charles · 10-22-2021, 02:27 PM

If you asked who robbed a bank or kicked their neighbors cat not many would admit that either.

jacwjames · 10-22-2021, 02:51 PM

I wonder what would happen if you were in a bad accident and you didn't have a supplemental braking on it. Wonder what a judge and jury would do in a liability case.

My coach is more then capable of stopping with my Jeep Grand Cherokee with or without a supplemental brake but I installed one to to reduce risk from a legal point of view.

I guess the question would be "Are you feeling lucky?"

momdoc · 10-22-2021, 04:05 PM

It is a safety question for you and the folks you may meet by accident (literally).
If you are towing anything bigger than a bread box you should have a brake system.

EdInArk · 10-22-2021, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

You don't need an auxiliary brake system for your toad,,,,,,,,,,UNTIL YOU DO!!!! But then it's too late. As mentioned, most states have a 3,000# legal requirement. I know we will never be without one.

I was just going to say that'll work fine right up until it doesn't.

We don't anymore, but we did pull a RAV4 on a dolly with a Class C. One of us (

) didn't get the plug in good one time, and stopping was a challenge.

Mr_D · 10-22-2021, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchu

Towing anything over 3,000 lbs without assisted braking is illegal pretty much anywhere in the USA and Canada, with very few exceptions.

https://www.brakebuddy.com/towing-laws.html

And that chart, as are most others, has LOTS of errors since it's for towing trailers and in some states a motorized vehicle being towedby another motorized vehicle is not a "trailer".

Charles L · 10-22-2021, 05:05 PM

I would not tow without supplemental braking on your towed vehicle. It is simply foolish. You could kill someone. Be a responsible citizen and get a braking system. At least get a surge brake dolly.