TT Weight limits: theory and reality

myredracer wrote:

BurbMan wrote:

Seattle Lion wrote:
If your TT is set up correctly, it won't contribute any extra load on the truck's brakes. The trailer will stop using its own brakes.

The brakes on the truck are rated to stop the GVWR of the truck, the TT brakes stop the trailer. BUT if you are over the GVWR on the truck, then you are overloading your brakes as well.

TT brakes. An interesting topic. I've read many people say, naw, don't worry about it, the TT has brakes. I can't see the logic on relying on the TT brakes to work properly to save you when you really need them. Your TT brakes may not be working at peak performance. How many miles have you had on them before they were last adjusted? Are the self-adjusting type self-adjusting properly? Do the shoes have enough material left on them? Are all the wire connectors okay? Are the drums warped? Any grease on anything? Is the plug or connector at the TV corroded and able to provide full current to the brakes? Etc. We all know the quality issues TTs can have.

If your brakes are working at say 50% or 75% of what they should be, during easy-going regular driving you many not notice anything and you may have compensated by adjusting the BC. But when you need them in a panic stop, you may have a lot longer stopping distance and could get yourself in trouble.

I've read some say that they don't use sway control and use the SOL button on the BC to snap the TV and TT back in line if there is serious sway. But again, they are assuming the TT brakes are working properly.

Our last TT had brake problems that took over a year for the dealer to fix. They kept saying it was the brake controller. In the end, it turned out to be warped drums, a broken spring and grease or cosmoline on everything. The brakes were faulty when they left the factory. No one warned us to be careful or that it should be dealt with immediately. If we had needed them in a panic stop, I'm not sure what would have happened.

Our 2013 KZ TT was supposed to have Alko self-adjusting brakes on it but it came with Chinese Axle-Tek brakes. Could not find any info. on the internet on them. I have no idea if they are any good or not and work work at peak performance when really needed. When it comes to TT brakes, I want something that has a good reputation.

JMHO, but I think TT brakes are one more reason why not to tow near or over capacity as far as GCWR goes. A safety margin makes a lot of sense to me.

I think you may have misunderstood me. The brakes in any TV are rated to stop the MGVWR, NOT the MCWR. Full or partial failure of the TT's brakes will result in longer stopping distances. To my knowledge, no manufacturer of vehicles specs brakes to handle the MCWR.