rexlion wrote:
Bumpy, I agree with you about the difficulty of stopping a tractor trailer rig weighing anywhere from 20,000 lb to 80,000 lb. They need a lot of extra stopping distance. I don't think the same is true of a 4500 lb SUV with a 2500 lb (brake-equipped) trailer; a little bit of extra stopping distance is needed but not a lot.
No matter how small an RV combo is, in matters of stopping it is much more like a semicombo than it is like a stand alone vehicle.
Any vehicle towing, regardless of size, is susceptible to additional hazards if brakes are suddenly applied, most notably jackknifing. While formulaic calculations of stopping distance won't correct for that hazard, every prudent driver must. Distances are greatly increased if one understands that keeping the rig straight while stopping depends on careful control/application of the brakes. Sudden, hard braking must be avoided.
In my opinion, when towing, both lower traveling speed and greater distance between followed vehicles are simple measures tending toward maximum control of the vehicle combination, especially when it comes to safely stopping it.
