FIRE UP wrote:
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Now, here's the LEGAL deal. In all but VERY FEW states, it is required to have auxiliary brake systems in your toad. You can go on line and simply do a search for legal towing your toad behind your RV with or without brakes and, you'll find charts that tell you which states demand it and which don't.
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Scott - you're right on every part but the legality of it. Aux brakes are a good idea, and many rigs need them in order to meet certain braking performance criteria.
But in legal terms, most of those charts online are wrong, for a variety of reasons.
1. First and foremost, they mostly reference trailer laws, and many states make a distinction between a trailer and a vehicle being towed.
2. Some of the quoted "trailer" laws are even quoted incorrectly.
3. Consider the source - many of those charts are published by sites that are trying to sell these products and provide justification for those purchases.
I am NOT making a case for not using these types of auxiliary brakes. But I prefer to be very clear about what is and is not legal.
Personally, I no longer have a dog in this fight... I flat-towed my Jeep for many years, but a couple years ago I bought a flatbed trailer for the Jeep to ride on, with brakes on both axles.