Towing 2003 Suburban 1500 4X4
Hello All, First post of many I hope. My wife and I are buying our first RV soon. My wife and I are thinking about buying a 2014 Forest River 3170ds. My question is will I be able to dinghy pu...
Forum Discussion
Uncutbulldog wrote:
So after all of the weight concerns and my weak Sunseeker engine, we bought a 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback. I weighed it today at 2520 lbs. I think this will be a more comfortable drive when pulling it with our MH.
With this light vehicle, can I get away with no breaking system?
2015 ForestRiver Sunseeker 3170ds:
Dry weight: 12,378
GCWR: 22,000 lbs
GVWR: 14,500 lbs
Engine: Ford 6.8L V10 E450
Hitch rating :7.5k/750
2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback:
Weight: 2520 lbs
California is a "Performance Law" state. A braking system is not required by law in CA IF your combined rig can stop, on a level, dry, clean, hard surface, from 20 MPH within 45 (IIRC) feet. I don't have a reference for the CA law at hand.
In Montana, it is 40 feet. (MCA 61-9-312)
Many laws referenced by a "list of towing laws" are for TRAILERS. The legal definition of a TRAILER often includes the phrase "...designed to be towed by another vehicle...". Obviously, a motor vehicle designed for carrying passengers and/or cargo is NOT designed to be towed! If it was, everything needed for towing would have been built in at the factory!
The bottom line is, in over 30 states braking for a towed motor vehicle is not required by law. It IS, however, a good idea.
