How to tow our Wrangler?
Hi, We are driving a Dodge RAM 3500 and carry a truck camper (with no overhang). The truck camper is light for the truck as it is built for a 1/2 ton truck. So, going forward, we would like to to...
Forum Discussion
mowermech wrote:bshpilot wrote:
oh lord hear we go again w/ the brake laws !
Yessir, "here we go again".
BUT, not very far.
I will just point out that many states have a firm definition of a "trailer", and that definition often does NOT include towed motor vehicles. The weight limits usually refer specifically to "trailers". Some states show UNLADEN weight of the trailer, some have GROSS weight.
Many states have a Braking Performance Law.
California is one of them.
Montana is another.
Braking laws are usually not reciprocal. You have to comply with the laws of the state you are currently driving in.
By the way, this website (http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws) is WRONG about Montana. That 3000 lbs. is the GROSS weight when a TRAILER requires brakes. The definition of a trailer in Montana does not include a towed motor vehicle. If you can stop your "combination of vehicles" within 40 feet from 20 MPH on a clean, hard, dry, level surface, you are legal (see MCA 61-9-312). It is worthy of note that the site is sponsored by Brake Buddy. OF COURSE, they want you to believe that THEIR product is required by law nearly everywhere. the truth is, it is not.
Perhaps someday RVers will actually become knowledgeable about the laws in their own states, and this discussion will just fade away.
One can certainly hope so.
mowermech is right on here! I've researched the state vehicle codes for CA and a few other states I travel to, and trailer-brake laws don't apply to cars being flat-towed in many states.
I used to have links to specific DMV articles about flat towing, break-away brake exceptions, etc..., but I bought a trailer and now my toad rides on that.
