Braking system required?
Would a dingy that weighs 2600lbs. need a supplemental braking system for Class A towing, with a 5000lb. rating. I know it would be safer, but is there a minimum weight that is acceptable? Thanks
Forum Discussion
For many years I towed a smaller suv behind our motorhome. It had a decent Tow bar ,as well as safety cable attached securely to the frames of both vehicles.
I did not have an auxiliary braking system and frankly never experienced any issues in nearly 15 years and many miles of travel!
About 5 years ago I moved up slightly from a 1990 Tracker 2 Door to a 2007 Honda CRV. Although I did not notice any difference in the ability of the Motorhome to pull the car or even during normal breaking I was satisfied with my setup !
Then a friend offered me a smoking good deal on a used braking system that he had no further use of!
I decided that maybe it was time to give it a try so went the few extra steps of installing it !
It uses air pressure supplied by the Diesel Pusher and attaches easily whenever we need to tow the car.
Long story short starting and stopping seemed exactly the same while driving with this braking system as without until one day I forgot to attach the Airline or didn’t check it properly before heading out!.
While descending a steep grade a Large Dump Truck shot past us and cut me off trying to exit the highway ,this during very heavy traffic and while everyone on the road including ourselves was at the
Maximum speed limit!
It was necessary for me to stand on the brakes to avoid rear ending the Truck !
We barely missed hitting the guy as his Dump box loomed ominously closer as we squeezed past.
I pulled over at the next opportunity to calm my nerves and took a walk about to look things over for possible damage.
At that point I discovered the disconnected air line!
Since that day I have realized just how important a functioning auxiliary braking system is !
I did not have an auxiliary braking system and frankly never experienced any issues in nearly 15 years and many miles of travel!
About 5 years ago I moved up slightly from a 1990 Tracker 2 Door to a 2007 Honda CRV. Although I did not notice any difference in the ability of the Motorhome to pull the car or even during normal breaking I was satisfied with my setup !
Then a friend offered me a smoking good deal on a used braking system that he had no further use of!
I decided that maybe it was time to give it a try so went the few extra steps of installing it !
It uses air pressure supplied by the Diesel Pusher and attaches easily whenever we need to tow the car.
Long story short starting and stopping seemed exactly the same while driving with this braking system as without until one day I forgot to attach the Airline or didn’t check it properly before heading out!.
While descending a steep grade a Large Dump Truck shot past us and cut me off trying to exit the highway ,this during very heavy traffic and while everyone on the road including ourselves was at the
Maximum speed limit!
It was necessary for me to stand on the brakes to avoid rear ending the Truck !
We barely missed hitting the guy as his Dump box loomed ominously closer as we squeezed past.
I pulled over at the next opportunity to calm my nerves and took a walk about to look things over for possible damage.
At that point I discovered the disconnected air line!
Since that day I have realized just how important a functioning auxiliary braking system is !
