supplemental braking and out of state

Dutch_12078 wrote:
With all the talk about brake requirement laws, braking distance standards, or supplemental braking system standards, I note that there are NO "braking systems" being sold for RV/toad use. In ALL cases, the systems sold are devices that APPLY THE EXISTING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. It's that factory supplied brake system that must meet the applicable state and federal standards. The external device that applies that braking system has no such requirements. It doesn't matter if the external applying force comes from a cable system, an air or vacuum cylinder, or even a HUMAN LEG/FOOT. In fact, in every RV/toad setup I've ever seen, it's a HUMAN LEG/FOOT (ignoring some handicapped driving setups) that initiates the braking action. Everything else involved is just some mechanical/electrical means of transferring that action to the brake shoes or pads. I don't think anyone can dispute the basic premise that the more wheels that are applying braking force, the easier it will be to stop the vehicle or combination.

You're right and well said, however there's nothing wrong with that and if you all ready have most of the equipment installed, then utilize it and another argument for just getting it done. Bit of trivia here, concerning the HUMAN LEG/FOOT thingy and have had on occasion, my towed vehicle catch up to me when geared down and not braking, while descending steep mountain passes and in which case the READYBRAKE applied itself intermittently to slow the toad.

With all the talk about brake requirement laws, braking distance standards, or supplemental braking system standards, I note that there are NO "braking systems" being sold for RV/toad use. In ALL cases, the systems sold are devices that APPLY THE EXISTING VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM. It's that factory supplied brake system that must meet the applicable state and federal standards. The external device that applies that braking system has no such requirements. It doesn't matter if the external applying force comes from a cable system, an air or vacuum cylinder, or even a HUMAN LEG/FOOT. In fact, in every RV/toad setup I've ever seen, it's a HUMAN LEG/FOOT (ignoring some handicapped driving setups) that initiates the braking action. Everything else involved is just some mechanical/electrical means of transferring that action to the brake shoes or pads. I don't think anyone can dispute the basic premise that the more wheels that are applying braking force, the easier it will be to stop the vehicle or combination.

Alaska: Performance law; 13 AAC 04.205. Brakes (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every motor vehicle and every combination of vehicles must have a service braking system which will stop the vehicle or combination of vehicles within 40 feet from an initial speed of 20 miles per hour on a level, dry, smooth, clear, hard surface, except that a passenger car or other single-unit vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less must be able to stop within 25 feet from an initial speed of 20 miles per hour on a similar surface.

For the 5000 lb. rule: "(d) No driver may operate a motor vehicle on a public roadway or other vehicular way, towing a vehicle with a GVWR greater than 5,000 pounds, unless the following conditions are met: (1) the towed vehicle must have operating brakes on at least two wheels on each side of a three axle vehicle, or one wheel on each side of a double or single axle vehicle;"

What towed motor vehicle would be a three axle or single axle? Obviously,the law is talking about trailers. If it IS talking about towed motor vehicles, what toad exceeds 5000 lbs? I don't think my Jeep does.

Florida: Performance law. See 316.262 Performance ability of motor vehicle brakes. Specifically, section D

Nevada: Performance law. See NRS 484D.255

Wisconsin: Performance law. 347.36 Performance ability of brakes.
(1) Brakes on motor vehicles and brakes on combinations of vehicles shall be capable of bringing the vehicle or combination of vehicles to a stop, under normal conditions, within 50 feet when traveling at a speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) All required brakes shall be maintained in good working order.

North Carolina: Performance law. See G.S. 20-124(e)

I know what the OP was asking, but there's so many threads on this subject and I just don't get it. Anyone should know that you'll be able to stop better with the toad's brakes helping out, so why not just put them on there, without any thoughts to the contrary. I mean if they were already on the toad and working fine, would you uninstall them? How about if it only meant the difference of 3 feet or so in stopping distance and that extra 3 feet killed a small child. Would you still stick by and defend your decision to go without.
One should also have a breakaway braking system of sorts, even though I can't imagine how a good installation could ever come apart. Again, I've heard of it and more than once.
Sure wish someone would explain the logic of not having one of these systems and please not the malfunction or high cost of it all, cuz it really costs next to nothing for a very good system that works well, when compared to what it costs to fill you tank a couple of times. So what is it and please somebody tell me?

Alaska, anything over 5000 lbs, 13 AAC 04.205.
Florida, anything over 3000 lbs, 316.261.
Nevada, anything over 1500 lbs, NRS 484.593, 9.
North Carolina, anything over 4000 lbs, 20.124 f.
Wisconsin, Brakes not required it toad weight is less than 40% of towing vehicle weight and the combined vehicles meet the performance requirement, 347.35 (3) (am).

But no way will I attempt to interpret any of these laws because I don't want any lawyers coming after me for practicing law.
source: http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html. And the link supplies a link to make comments concerning errors. If you think they are wrong, email them with your information and documentation!!!

That is not surprising for NC. Just another vague law used to generate revenue from unsuspecting non residents.

"Well then, just why do we have 5 US states that require brakes on towed vehicles. Better catch them up to speed."

Again, the "WHY" is very simple: SOMEBODY managed to convince the legislatures in those states that such a law would be beneficial. Realistically, all it takes is a bunch of people to focus on ONE incident, and DEMAND that something be done to "prevent THAT from ever happening again".
The fact that such a law is practically unenforceable would be totally irrelevant!
Now, please be specific: Which 5 states are you referring to?
Can you give the applicable statute from each state?

EDIT: I will be generous and give you one of them, North Carolina:
http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-124.html
Pay particular attention to Section (f). So far, I have been unable to find out which, IF ANY towed vehicle braking systems are "approved by the Administrator". If you can find out, please let us know

mowermech wrote:

rjstractor wrote:

robatthelake wrote:
Since there is not one single auxiliary braking system manufacturer that has received any sort of official seal of approval for their product line it seems to this humble scribe a wee bit contrite for any of them to be promulgating any information about any particular legal requirements.

I have checked with the Department of Transport ( DOT ) USA! the Minister of Transport in Canada
As well as My own Provincial Ministry here in BC Canada and not one of them can offer any opinion on the subject!

Now I personally am of the opinion that there should be a minimum stopping distance requirement and a breakaway feature required for any and all towed vehicles regardless if they are Trailers or Towed Vehicles.

That said I am tired of hearing all the Bovine Excrement stories regarding so called Towing Laws and Rumoured Insurance denials that are frequently published on this site!

The bottom line is that's even the Tow Bars and Base Plates that We are using have no real standards.

By all means Do what You can to make Our Roads Safe for everyone and drive carefully always!

I'm with Rob. As far as I know, there are no design or performance standards in place for any of the supplemental braking systems on the market. Pretty hard for a law to require something when there is no standard of even definition of what it is. Nearly all automotive components, like lights, brakes, wheels, hitches, and yes, tow bars have DOT design standards. Nothing like that exists for supplemental braking systems. One has to wonder why.

IMO, the "WHY" is very simple: Nobody has ever convinced a State Legislature that such systems are absolutely necessary for the safety of the motoring public, nor has anybody ever convinced those who write the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Therefore, laws or regulations requiring such systems have never been written.
Consumer Reports or Good Housekeeping have never tested the systems because not enough are sold to make such testing worth the time and cost.

Well then, just why do we have 5 US states that require brakes on towed vehicles. Better catch them up to speed.

All I can state is that there is one heck of a diference in stoping distance with and without brake assist and I conducted my owm tests with my RV and two diferent toads and wheigts, with the asist off, not hooked at all and with the assist hooked and working.

I will not even get into what laws apply in what state, it is my peace of mind that is important and the fact that I can stop in a shorter distance with the brake assist than with out it. The laws of physics are fixed, the more the weight and higher the speed the longer the distance to dissipate the energy to a full stop.

navegator

rjstractor wrote:

robatthelake wrote:
Since there is not one single auxiliary braking system manufacturer that has received any sort of official seal of approval for their product line it seems to this humble scribe a wee bit contrite for any of them to be promulgating any information about any particular legal requirements.

I have checked with the Department of Transport ( DOT ) USA! the Minister of Transport in Canada
As well as My own Provincial Ministry here in BC Canada and not one of them can offer any opinion on the subject!

Now I personally am of the opinion that there should be a minimum stopping distance requirement and a breakaway feature required for any and all towed vehicles regardless if they are Trailers or Towed Vehicles.

That said I am tired of hearing all the Bovine Excrement stories regarding so called Towing Laws and Rumoured Insurance denials that are frequently published on this site!

The bottom line is that's even the Tow Bars and Base Plates that We are using have no real standards.

By all means Do what You can to make Our Roads Safe for everyone and drive carefully always!

I'm with Rob. As far as I know, there are no design or performance standards in place for any of the supplemental braking systems on the market. Pretty hard for a law to require something when there is no standard of even definition of what it is. Nearly all automotive components, like lights, brakes, wheels, hitches, and yes, tow bars have DOT design standards. Nothing like that exists for supplemental braking systems. One has to wonder why.

IMO, the "WHY" is very simple: Nobody has ever convinced a State Legislature that such systems are absolutely necessary for the safety of the motoring public, nor has anybody ever convinced those who write the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Therefore, laws or regulations requiring such systems have never been written.
Consumer Reports or Good Housekeeping have never tested the systems because not enough are sold to make such testing worth the time and cost.