Supplemental Brakes Confession Time
Hello. Long time member and have been driving my American Coach Revolution 42T for over 2 years now and LOVE it. I just upgraded my 2007 Ford Escape (towed it with a two wheel tow dolly) to a ...
Forum Discussion
In the often touted sudden emergency situation (dog or kid runs in front of you, car makes sudden stop in front of you, etc.) keep in mind how far you will travel before your foot even hits the brake pedal.
For instance, are you aware that at 60 MPH, you are traveling at 88 feet per second? What is YOUR reaction time?
Yes, a braking system on a towed vehicle is a good idea.
But, think about it. In a true sudden emergency situation, will it really do any good? Also, given the "Nanny State" mentality of today, isn't it likely that if the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) considered it a necessity, they would be testing the systems and recommending that every state pass laws requiring them?
Again, yes, such a braking system is a good idea.
However, I have been researching this issue for many years, and the only state I have found that appears to address the issue is North Carolina. Nearly every other state has a Braking Performance Standard that closely (or exactly) mirrors the Standard set by FMVSS. In fact, many states have a legal definition of a "trailer" encoded in law that specifically excludes towed motor vehicles!
I have also found that it is foolish to trust ANY "list of vehicle/towing laws" found on the internet. Just looking at what they say about Montana laws convinces me they can not be trusted at all.
For instance, are you aware that at 60 MPH, you are traveling at 88 feet per second? What is YOUR reaction time?
Yes, a braking system on a towed vehicle is a good idea.
But, think about it. In a true sudden emergency situation, will it really do any good? Also, given the "Nanny State" mentality of today, isn't it likely that if the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) considered it a necessity, they would be testing the systems and recommending that every state pass laws requiring them?
Again, yes, such a braking system is a good idea.
However, I have been researching this issue for many years, and the only state I have found that appears to address the issue is North Carolina. Nearly every other state has a Braking Performance Standard that closely (or exactly) mirrors the Standard set by FMVSS. In fact, many states have a legal definition of a "trailer" encoded in law that specifically excludes towed motor vehicles!
I have also found that it is foolish to trust ANY "list of vehicle/towing laws" found on the internet. Just looking at what they say about Montana laws convinces me they can not be trusted at all.
