Crespro wrote:
....Make sure to gear down early on the descent. Most vehicles are best between 40 and 45 in a lower gear on the downslope.
I now have a DP with a very good M&G braking and breakaway system on my Buick, so I understand the best system. However, with care your tow dolly can be operated with acceptable safety.
Executive wrote:
Every toad/dolly/trailer, whatever, should have a device to stop it dead in the event it breaks loose from the towing vehicle.
Brakes on the toad is up to the driver and how lucky he feels at the moment. There's other factors, of course, then there's that legal thing every State has so that should be checked. I'm not sure about Tennessee. Remember towing laws are based on the State you're DRIVING in NOT your domicile State.
But, back to the OP's question. "What mountain grade would I consider a bit uncomfortable when towing a car with no brakes on the dolly? I wouldn't tow without brakes on the dolly for safety reasons but I'd have no issues with a 5-6% grade. However, what I'd do and what others do differ. That said, it would also depend on a number of factors: OPs ability to tow. I've seen some people that should NOT tow at all..:E. OPs set up. I've seen some setups that are dangerous to tow even on a flat surface. OPs '99 32' Southwind. How mechanically sound is his 15yr old coach? OPs driving ability. Many people are simply afraid of hills, they call them mountains back east, :). This would lend to additional apprehension when descending a steep grade. Hard to answer the OPs question as he seems like he belongs in the last category since he's asked the question. My ADVICE, although he didn't ask for it, would be to spend the extra money and get brakes on the dolly...for everyone's safety and for the OPs peace of mind....Dennis
Triker33 wrote:
You should feel uncomfortable when towing a car with no brakes on any road.
Read your owners manual for towing.
You may be surprised what your MH house/chassis manufacture says about above what weight to use supplemental brakes on the towed.
My Freightliner XC chassis has a sticker in the closet that says towing over 1,000 lb. use supplemental brakes.
WandaLust2 wrote:Ivylog wrote:
Manually gear it down so you stay a 40 mph without using your brakes. The odds are it will come loose before you get to Mt. Eagle.:B
It wont stay at 40 using the engine alone. If it comes loose all I can hope for is no innocent people get hurt.
Ivylog wrote:
Manually gear it down so you stay a 40 mph without using your brakes. The odds are it will come loose before you get to Mt. Eagle.:B
holstein13 wrote:
It sure would be nice if you could get at least an emergency brake on that setup. It would be awful if it disconnected and rolled down the mountain unattended.
Goldencrazy wrote:
You should be Ok doing Mt Eagle. Use your gears and pump your brakes. I assume your coach brakes are good.
howdy35 wrote:
In 2002 we towed 1990 Honda Accord from Texas to Anchorage and back without brakes without incident. I know that is not considering having a tow dolly but we were able to go up and down some pretty steep grades using the engine transmission to slow us along with the brakes. Our MH then was a 1999 Bounder with the V10. Loud and slow up and nice and slow down. What a great trip.
I think you can go wherever you want with your rig as long as you are aware of your limitations and plan ahead, but now that we have brake assist on the car it makes it safer to travel. Drive on, have a good time and get brakes whenever you can.
