What mountain grade .....

In Washington State, IMHO it would be Chinook Pass on the Mt. Rainier side of the pass.

PastorCharlie wrote:
Brake Requirements For State Towing Laws

I looked at both the site above and this one, http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/ It looks like the different sites contradict each others since the weight in TN varies from 1500 to 3000 depending on site. The book says no brakes are needed up to 5000lbs.

Apparently those who produce these sites don't actually know.

In any case, my husband says he's not spending $500 for a brake kit.

wolfe10 wrote:
Would be interested in a link to a chassis owners manual that states "towing capacity WITHOUT brakes on the toad/dolly". Most say just the opposite, that you have to have brakes on the toad/dolly.

Most that are 15 yrs old? I saw the page where it stated up to 5000lbs.

If you had a diesel pusher I would say you would be just fine, but with a lighter gasoline motorhome I think you are pushing the limits.

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.

Brake Requirements For State Towing Laws

Towing Laws

It's not only where you live, it's also where you are going.
Click on the states that you are traveling through to find the minimum towing weight requirement. If what you are towing exceeds the weight, an auxiliary braking system is required.

Move your mouse over the map to find out minimum requirements for each state.

WandaLust2 wrote:
What mountain grade would you consider a bit uncomfortable when towing a car with no brakes on the dolly? We have to go up and down Mounteagle mountain in TN which is a 5% one way and 6% the other. We'll be towing with the 1999 32' Southwind. The car weights about 2600 and the booklet says the Coach can haul up to 5000 if no brakes on the tow. But no mention of mountains.

Both Ford and Chevrolet/Workhorse strongly recommend brakes on anything being towed that weighs over 1,500 lbs. Ford goes so far as to say the motorhome chassis brakes are rated only for the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating which is the amount of weight that can be carried on the chassis) not the GCWR (gross combined weight rating which is the total amount of weight carried on the chassis and being towed).

You noted the car weight but have you forgotten the weight of the dolly? Probably adds another 500 + lbs.
All the suggestions you have been given are good, but I would advise against towing that load down a 6% grade.
The coach has hydraulic brakes which are subject to brake fade under heavy use.
Of course you will gear down, BUT; If your speed starts to increase to the point that you encounter brake fade the increased speed can progress to the point that the transmission shifts up and there is nothing you can do about it. The manufacturer is protecting his transmission from damage by making it shift up when a higher speed is reached. At this point your brakes are overheated and the brake fluid is probably boiling, preventing you from slowing down, never mind stopping. Brakes on the tow dolly would help immeasurably.

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

We Cant Wait wrote:
Doesn't matter what the coach says. Check your registered state laws about brakes on towed vehicles. Most (but not all) states REQUIRE brakes on all towed vehicles if the weight is over 3000lbs. With your car at approx. 2600, AND a tow dolly you'll be pushing the 3000lb aux brake requirements.

A little research will show that the above statement just isn't true. It IS a common misconception, but it isn't true.
While most (if not all) have braking requirements for TRAILERS over a certain weight (often either 1500 lbs. unladen weight or 3000 lbs GVW), in many states the legal definition of a TRAILER does not include a towed motor vehicle.
Many states have braking performance laws that mirror (more or less) the FMVSS regulation. Any "combination of vheicles" must be able to stop in a certain distance (usually 40 or 45 feet) from a certain speed (usually 20 MPH), on a level, hard, dry, clean surface.

I have towed various things over mountain passes with 6% grades, without brakes. It can be done with safety, just be very careful.
VERY careful!!
Some states have both the trailer brake laws and the performance standards.
In my research, I have found one state that specifically addresses towed motor vehicles (North Carolina, 20-124(f)).
There may be others, I just haven't found them.