tow dolly Brake?

katysdad wrote:
Toads are included. What makes you think stopping a 3000 lb car is any different than a trailer? Think about the emergency situation caused by something beyond your control and not just average uneventful trips.

Personally I feel they should be included but dolly's and towing a car isn't, four down or otherwise. If they were U-Haul and every other rental place could not rent out a dolly and wrecker's towing a break down would require something that activates the towed vehicle's brakes. There might be a state or two that has exemptions for such but I haven't found anything that specifically states such.

And yes I have rented a dolly from U-Haul. No brakes on it. The only thing U-Haul was concerned about was if the hitch was rated for the load. They were OK when I picked up the dolly with the coach but were ready to black flag me when I returned it with an Explorer Sport.

wny_pat wrote:

katysdad wrote:
Most all states require aux braking on towed vehicles over 3000 lbs. Some even on smaller cars.
Doesn't have anything to do with how heavy the MH is.

Here is a chart for easy ref.

Towing Laws

Those laws are for trailers, not tow dollys.

Toads are included
What makes you think stopping a 3000 lb car is any different than a trailer? Think about the emergency situation caused by something beyond your control and not just average uneventful trips.

I'm definitely a believer in brakes on anything being towed over 1,500 lbs. Unlike others I prefer electric to surge brakes. They can be preset with the controller as to how and when the brakes apply. I have an equipment trailer with a 10,000 lb. capacity and a dolly. Both have electric brakes. I much prefer them to the surge style especially over rough roads and uneven ground. Over the years I've had several HD equipment trailers with surge brakes. I traded them all off in favor of ones with electric brakes.

To me they are far more trouble free than surge brakes over time and require similar maintenance. Both styles need the shoes adjusted from time to time if they are the drum configuration. The fluid needs to be changed on the hydraulics to avoid boiling or rust in the cylinders.

I agree electric brakes aren't the best choice on boat trailers. However for general highway and off road use I believe they are more than adequate with less hassles.

Thanks for all the input except the rude Bob

I’ve tow a Pontiac Vibe on a Demco KarKaddy SS dolly for 9 years and originally it only had break-way brakes. I noticed problems in mountain areas, learned that Demco's newer models had surge brakes. About a year after purchase I contacted Demco and they sent me (free) the surge brake spring with installation instructions (which was easy to do). It’s made a big difference and I wouldn’t have any dolly without brakes.

Dave

JaBob wrote:
I've used an auxilary brake and feel it's the way to go. It amazes me how it seems to be a major decision to many. A $100,000 MH, a $10,000 toad and someone can't pull the trigger on a $1,000 item. Go figure!

Bob

We are discussing brakes on a tow dolly, not on a 4 down toad.

In this case it is even worse since the option for electric brakes on a dolly is usually about $200 or less. I know the difference between an identical master tow 80" with and without electric brakes is $150. Obviously you have to buy and wire a brake controller in the motorhome for an additional $200 cost or so.

I've used an auxilary brake and feel it's the way to go. It amazes me how it seems to be a major decision to many. A $100,000 MH, a $10,000 toad and someone can't pull the trigger on a $1,000 item. Go figure!

Bob

Believe it or not, there are some downsides to surge brakes but with a heavy TV like a DP, they are probably the easiest way to go since you don't need to wire for and install a brake controller in the MH. It's very unlikely that that tail is going to wag that dog.

From what I saw when looking for our car dolly, the price difference between one without brakes and with was not much. There was no way I was going to buy one without brakes.

I don't have brakes on our dolly towing a civic. I have no problems. That said I would not advocate not getting them. To do it over I probably would, but I have no issues. I can't tell much of a difference stopping or going downhill with or without the toad. But my ratio is a lot different than most. I would advise to get them considering the minimal cost difference. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them.

I have a Stehl tow dolly with surge brakes, It also has disc brakes. If I'm not mistaking, electric brakes have the old drum style brakes. Surge brakes are somewhat maintenance free and almost never fail. Also the disc brake style are way much easier to replace when worn. Plus they give you better stopping power.