Four wheel towing accessories
I'm looking into four wheel towing, what all is needed?? I know the tow bar, base plate what about breaking system for the vehicle your towing? Any advise on best brand's??
Forum Discussion
"Since California is one of our frequent destinations we also need the brake system."
Keep in mind that California is one of the many states that is a "Braking performance law" state.
IF you can stop within a set distance from 20 MPH on a level, hard, clean, surface, you are legal. IIRC in CA it is 45 feet. Here in Montana it is 40 feet. (MCA 61-9-312 (4))
Also, keep in mind that the many "lists of towing laws" found on the internet are notorious for being wrong about the legal requirement for towed vehicle braking. Usually, such lists refer to TRAILER laws, and the legal definition of a "trailer" often does not match a towed motor vehicle. For instance, in Montana MCA 61-1-101 (82)(a) states; "(82) (a) "Trailer" means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle." Note that a "trailer" is "...designed for carrying property and being drawn by a motor vehicle...". A car is designed for carrying people, and is MODIFIED to be drawn by a motor vehicle. That does not seem to meet the definition of a "trailer"!
YES such braking systems are a good idea, there is no doubt about it, but they are required by law in very few states, and there is NO testing done by any independent laboratory to verify their effectiveness.
Keep in mind that California is one of the many states that is a "Braking performance law" state.
IF you can stop within a set distance from 20 MPH on a level, hard, clean, surface, you are legal. IIRC in CA it is 45 feet. Here in Montana it is 40 feet. (MCA 61-9-312 (4))
Also, keep in mind that the many "lists of towing laws" found on the internet are notorious for being wrong about the legal requirement for towed vehicle braking. Usually, such lists refer to TRAILER laws, and the legal definition of a "trailer" often does not match a towed motor vehicle. For instance, in Montana MCA 61-1-101 (82)(a) states; "(82) (a) "Trailer" means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle." Note that a "trailer" is "...designed for carrying property and being drawn by a motor vehicle...". A car is designed for carrying people, and is MODIFIED to be drawn by a motor vehicle. That does not seem to meet the definition of a "trailer"!
YES such braking systems are a good idea, there is no doubt about it, but they are required by law in very few states, and there is NO testing done by any independent laboratory to verify their effectiveness.
