Supplemental Brake... Necessity or Preference
We seem to have a good number of discussions on the issue of the need for supplemental brakes... Unfortunately many of the discussions are not very productive in terms of giving those who have an open...
Forum Discussion
The fact is that there are very few states and or provinces that require auxiliary brakes on a TOWED VEHICLE provided that the combination of vehicles can pass a stated perfomance test with respect to speed and braking distance and/or a given weight limit. The speed stated is always 20mph. and the distance varies from 25 ft. to 50 ft. The weight limits stated run from 1500 lb.(NV) to 5000 lb. (AK). Only AK, FL, NC, NV & WI show a weight limit. HI, ND & DC statutes are not available on line.
Check the DMV statutes where you live. Do not get caught up with the argument that a TOWED VEHICLE is a TRAILER, it is not a TRAILER but you have to look at the wording used in the STATUTES with respect to what is being TOWED.
If your state does not specifically outline the rules for a TOWED VEHICLE then there is no applicable statute.
The best reference that I have found with respect to the 50 states is:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html
I live in the Province of British Columbia, Canada where the rules for auxiliary braking requirements when towing are quite simple and very easy to understand:
MOTOR VEHICLE ACT REGULATIONS Continued
B.C. Reg. 26/58
Division 5 Brakes
Section 5.02.(7) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a towed motor vehicle that has a laden gross vehicle weight less than 2000 kg and that is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar.
B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (j); 46/67, s. 10; 226/67, s. 4; 205/72, s. 6; 343/77; 459/77, s. 2; 256/84, s. 6; 257/96, s. 1; 109/97,
FYI: 2000 kg. is 4409.2 lb.
The 40% rule will apply to vehicles that weigh less than 5000 kg. or 11023.1 lb.
P.S.(1) As far as I know, none of the auxiliary braking systems available today meet any kind of FEDERAL /STATE or PROVINCIAL standard.
P.S.(2) In British Columbia, the same people that make the DMV rules i.e. the Government of B.C., are also the same people who insure us - ICBC, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Crown Corporation.
P.S.(3) "driveby" in a previous write up on this subject is correct in stating that British Columbia, Canada is one of the few provinces and/or states to specifically address the auxilliary brake requirements for motorhomes towing another vehicle. However in his post you should change the 2000# to 2000kg. Canada is a "metric" country. Ho! Ho! censored Ho!
Check the DMV statutes where you live. Do not get caught up with the argument that a TOWED VEHICLE is a TRAILER, it is not a TRAILER but you have to look at the wording used in the STATUTES with respect to what is being TOWED.
If your state does not specifically outline the rules for a TOWED VEHICLE then there is no applicable statute.
The best reference that I have found with respect to the 50 states is:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html
I live in the Province of British Columbia, Canada where the rules for auxiliary braking requirements when towing are quite simple and very easy to understand:
MOTOR VEHICLE ACT REGULATIONS Continued
B.C. Reg. 26/58
Division 5 Brakes
Section 5.02.(7) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a towed motor vehicle that has a laden gross vehicle weight less than 2000 kg and that is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar.
B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (j); 46/67, s. 10; 226/67, s. 4; 205/72, s. 6; 343/77; 459/77, s. 2; 256/84, s. 6; 257/96, s. 1; 109/97,
FYI: 2000 kg. is 4409.2 lb.
The 40% rule will apply to vehicles that weigh less than 5000 kg. or 11023.1 lb.
P.S.(1) As far as I know, none of the auxiliary braking systems available today meet any kind of FEDERAL /STATE or PROVINCIAL standard.
P.S.(2) In British Columbia, the same people that make the DMV rules i.e. the Government of B.C., are also the same people who insure us - ICBC, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Crown Corporation.
P.S.(3) "driveby" in a previous write up on this subject is correct in stating that British Columbia, Canada is one of the few provinces and/or states to specifically address the auxilliary brake requirements for motorhomes towing another vehicle. However in his post you should change the 2000# to 2000kg. Canada is a "metric" country. Ho! Ho! censored Ho!
