Towing

Most states require a towed load over a specified weight to have a braking system with a break away system. Some are as low as 1500#, other higher.

Ken

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

TXiceman wrote:
Most states require a towed load over a specified weight to have a braking system with a break away system. Some are as low as 1500#, other higher.

Ken

ALMOST true, but incomplete. Where the TRAILER weight when brakes are required is 1500 lbs., it is usually UNLADEN weight.
When the weight is 3000 lbs., it is usually gross vehicle weight.
Many states have a Performance Standard for braking that more or less matches the FMVSS Braking Performance Standard. It is usually that any "combination of vehicles" must be able to stop within 40 or 45 feet from 20 MPH on a fairly level, clean, hard surface. Here in Montana that law is MCA 61-9-312.
Some states have a legal definition of "Trailer" that does not match a towed motor vehicle.
Now, having said all that, even though the nanny state safety gurus have not found it necessary to pass a law requiring auxiliary braking on a towed motor vehicle (in most states), and there has been NO testing of such systems by any independent testing laboratory, such a braking system is undeniably a GOOD IDEA!
IMO, the best bang for the buck is the ReadyBrute integrated towbar/braking system. It is simple, mechanical, relatively inexpensive, and I have never seen a trouble report where it burned up the towed vehicle brakes as some electronic gadgets have been known to do. It will work on any coach (air brakes are not required). A breakaway system is available for it, as well. Once it is installed, all that is required is to hook up one or two cables. No lifting involved, and no major modifications to the vehicle.
It simply works.

And there are evidently states that do not require trailer brakes at all.

But for safety's sake, I'd want brakes on a 3600# (more or less) toad. What that idiot pulls out in front of you, you'll want them too.

I used to tow without an aux brake in the towed vehicle. On one trip I nearly rear-ended a vehicle in front of me when traffic came to a sudden stop, on two different occasions. I got a brake Buddy before the next trip in the RV. Have never regretted the purchase.

I recommend brakes on the towed vehicle and we use the Brake Buddy and it works good.

Ontheroad0228 wrote:
Just purchased 2006 Sea Breeze 34 (National RV) w/ V10 Triton. Will be towing 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Approx. 3600lbs.) Do you recommend installing Brake Buddy (or similar)?

Only question is and story short, will the whole rig stop any easier and any quicker with a supplemental brake system? If the answer is yes and it is, then you NEED one. For whatever else it might be worth and IMO, this device wouldn't be a BRAKE BUDDY, but something, simpler, cheaper and nothing to install or remove in the toad for each trip. I haven't found anything better and/or more cost effective than the READYBRAKE and yes opinions will vary on this considerably. Still, I haven't read much testimony if any from people who have had a READYBRAKE and then went with something else.