I am a great believer in brakes for my TOWD. With the brakes on TOWD I can stop in nearly same distance as I can without TOWD. I was pushed into the middle of a intersection one time while towing a boat. Was a panic stop and I had all four brakes skidding on the motor home. I have never had that problem with TOWD that has supplementary Brakes.
I will not TOW with out Supplementary Brakes.......!!!!!!!!!
I can also tow into Canada and several states that have laws that state you must have brakes on towed vehicle. And I have been checked on two occasions.