Just curious how many out there tow without a brake system. I have a brake system that has a light plus audio to alert you when the brake is on. Since I have a diesel pusher with an exhaust brake, which I use, I seldom have the aux brake system engage. So I was wondering, how necessary is it to actually have a brake system in the tow car if one has an exhaust brake?? ThanksBrian

Your gross COMBINED vehicle weight rating (GCWR) means that your coach's engine, transmission, and braking system is designed to handle that amount of COMBINED weight, including your coach, your load, and anything in tow. The towed braking system MAY allow your vehicle to stop a little quicker in an emergency situation.

Ours is kind of new to us and only towed about 250 miles so far. The towed vehicle brake only came on 2 times for about a second. I figured if I really had a hard braking situation it would engage more and longer. Gain set to 3 on the Patriot. IINM it is law to have one in many states.

It is my understanding that some states require an auxiliary braking system for towed vehicles/trailers. Some have weight minimums other just require it.

We towed a Mustang convertible for some 6 years without a braking system and never had a problem. My understanding is a braking system is required if the car (trailer) weighs more than 3,000 lbs. The Mustang weighed about that much.We replaced the Mustang with a Hummer, which weighs about 4,600 lbs, and we use a Roadmaster braking system connected to our air brakes on the coach. It works great. I was warned by several friends not to use the box type that fits in front of the driver's seat and depends on changes in inertia to detect a braking action and press down on the brake pedal. Apparently, they frequently fail and apply the brakes when not required. Still, a lot of RV owners use these systems. They connect to the power outlet in the dash and can be moved to any towed vehicle, so they don't require any modifications to either vehicle.

About 12 years ago MY TOWED BROKE AWAY FROM ME! Yup, it really happened. The mounting bracket on the Saturn Vue (custom made by the hitch shop) failed and as I was stopping at a light one a lightly traveled road I saw the Saturn slowly begin to pass me on the right. OMG!!! I was able to stop, hop out of the motorhome, open the unlocked car and set the emergency brake before it got too far ahead. (I was 12 years younger then). The shop made it right by me. No one was hurt. Anyway, I now use a ReadyBrake with the Saturn and a we have a new diesel motorhome. I do not have a "brake in use" light or indicator. Seems silly with the ReadyBrake configuration. I probably don't need the auxiliary brake, but I believe it is required in some states, and it is just a safety thing. I would not travel without a "break away brake". You could kill someone.JMHO

Towing without a car braking system?? | Good Sam Community

95 Replies

rdmike
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
Is it just me, but don't you feel better knowing you have a breakaway in the event something was to break disconnect whatever? I pull a ford fiesta.. small as it is, i dont need brakes behind my dp but feel this is what is right. Never gave it a thought.
koda55
Explorer
Sep 02, 2015
From reading all 10 pages, the only conclusion I can make is, "if you want to have an auxiliary braking system have one installed, If not then don't." For my piece of mind I have the m&g brake system and the emergency brake away system. As two people have mentioned their tow did brake away and were very lucky that it did not hit or kill someone. I tow a 3100 lb HR. For me peace of mind is important.
Lancslad
Explorer
Sep 01, 2015
So we put 3000miles on our RV towing a 1976 MG Midget. Was only 1750 lbs so no aux brake. The weight was like having 6.or 8 people in the RV, a full water tank and all our groceries!! The MG broke away in Florida at 10 MPH (poor welding of the tow bracket) so we sold it.
We now have a Dodge Dakota, 4000 lbs, so for safety (for you and us) we got a Blue Ox Brake system. I havn't used it yet but Blue Ox says the Dodge will never pass me driving down the interstate and thats comforting to know!!!
45Ricochet
Explorer
Sep 01, 2015
Well I now know what gets the MH threads shut down :B Having been away the last two weeks and I sign in to 40 new posts on this subject. Being new to a MH and toad I thought the brake system was a normal. In fact looking around in camp sites nearly if not all coach's I've seen have one or another.
Mine don't come on to often, only in a panic stop.
I will say this to the crowd who don't use em, BETTER NOT HIT ME.
Signed any civil attorney
Same goes for the F250 hauling a Mobil Suites 42", 18K lb fiver.
creeper
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
Regardless, does it help, sure. Could it save your toad from total lose or even damage, sure. For us a braking system is cheap insurance. You buy it once and should last you a lifetime. So why not.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2015
Kayteg1 wrote:
1rickw wrote:
In California the towed car must have an Auxillary Braking System if that car is more than 1500 pounds!!! I use the BrakeBuddy, but set it so that it will only activate if I stop very quickly.

Do you have any link to support that theory?

He got this info from one of the websites that sell aux brake systems. In California a "camping" trailer is the only towed object that is required to have brakes at 1500 pounds. All other trailers don't require brakes until they are 3000 pounds. Towed motor vehicles only require aux brakes if you can meet the standards in the braking performance charts.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2015
1rickw wrote:
In California the towed car must have an Auxillary Braking System if that car is more than 1500 pounds!!! I use the BrakeBuddy, but set it so that it will only activate if I stop very quickly.

100% not correct.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2015
1rickw wrote:
In California the towed car must have an Auxillary Braking System if that car is more than 1500 pounds!!! I use the BrakeBuddy, but set it so that it will only activate if I stop very quickly.

Do you have any link to support that theory?
1rickw
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2015
In California the towed car must have an Auxillary Braking System if that car is more than 1500 pounds!!! I use the BrakeBuddy, but set it so that it will only activate if I stop very quickly.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Aug 20, 2015
I previously gave a link for one TRAILER actuator braking system that was DOT approved, because TRAILER brakes are required, in both Commercial and private use above a certain weight.