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
gotsmart wrote:
With regard to supplemental brakes, California's towing laws specifically reference towed motor vehicles separately from trailers. For towed vehicles it is determined by the weight classification of the towing vehicle and its ability to stop within a prescribed distance for its weight class at 20 MPH, while towing the vehicle. If it can do this then supplemental brakes are not required. A breakaway device is still required by California.
It is detailed here, with links to the 2 applicable sections of California law (sections 26458 and 26454):
http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f77/flat-tow-yes-2237/index22.html#post453106
Here's some additional info about CA towing rules for toads (not trailers):
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648pt11.htm
In the above document from the CA DMV, the section RVs Towing Cars or Other Vehicles specifically states that "If you use a tow bar, safety chains are required, but a breakaway switch is not."
The Braking System Towing Vehicles law (CVC 26458) has a specific exemption for Towed motor vehicles (subdivision c, part 3).
The smartcarofamerica.com links above also refer to CVC 26304 - the Breakaway law. CVC 26304 addresses trailers, semitrailers, and trucks. But a towed vehicle is none of those, as defined in the California Vehicle Code.
