To Brake assist or not to brake assist ?

[jbstack28]

Ok, new to the Class A lifestyle, had a Fifth wheel in the past. Looking to setup my tow vehicle. I purchased a 2019 Kia Soul, weighs less than 3,000 lbs. So question is this. Go with no brake assist, or purchase used 'Brake Buddy'( ugly and old technology) for those what three states where I would be illegal? I would simply slap it in place so I would be legal.

Thanks so much,

charlie..

[rk911]

laws, the lack of laws, opinions from state employees...whether an arrest is made or tickets issued as a result of a crash the fact remains that anyone can be sued at anytime for anything. how far that suit progresses and its eventual outcome depend on lots of factors. we all know there are tons of laws on the books in all 50-states, even more at the federal level. does anyone really think that one of those laws could not be interpreted to hold you responsible? do you really believe that you or anyone towing without an aux brake...or towing WITH an aux brake for that matter is immune from a lawsuit? IMO its a silly argument. the concern for all of us should be safety. chances are MH mfgs engineer their MH braking systems for GVWR. that's been the case with our last two Winnebago MHs but there are a lot of MH mfgs out there and i could be wrong. the point is i believe an aux braking system is a must for anyone flat towing. but it's a choice.

[timmac]

et2 wrote:
For safety factors alone I can't imagine not using one, no matter the weight.

I don't have one for my 04 Jeep Wrangler and my motorhome stops just fine, the tow/haul transmission does very well at adding extra stopping power when towing, however when flat towing my total weight is well under my GCWR..

[rgatijnet1]

wa8yxm wrote:


The other law is called "Reckless Endangerment" and if you rear end me and you don't have aux brakes on the "Trailer".. Well .. I'll be rich.

In your dreams. :B
I gave actual replies from a couple of States, I have 40+ replies that all say basically the same thing when asked about towing a VEHICLE 4 down. A vehicle is not a trailer, and none of the States I contacted considered it a trailer.
Provide some facts, like names of specific people in positions of enforcement authority, to back up your OPINION and maybe, someone will believe you.
I did my homework, now do yours. Here is the name of the man in Connecticut that also agrees no supplemental braking system is legally required.

Donald Bridge, Jr., Lieutenant
CT Dept. of Motor Vehicles
Commercial Vehicle Safety Division
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Phone: (860) 263-5446
Fax: (860) 263-5587

[T18skyguy]

JB, I have a 2018 Kia Soul set up as a toad, with a Roadmaster base plate and a Demco dominator tow bar. If money is a concern, take your time and shop carefully. I got the Demco dominator brand new on ebay 1/2 off, and the base plate half off as well. I ran the lighting system also, not too expensive. I use an RVI 3 system, and I would highly recommend it. Generally, I don't need the RVI for every downgrade or gentle stop, but there are times when I hit the brakes hard and I feel it kick in and I'm glad it's there. Better to have it, but it's a personal decision good luck whatever you do.
P.S. Do not purchase an obsolete system. My RVI sets up completely with pushing a button three times.

[wa8yxm]

First I would NEVER recommend a Brake Buddy or any of the other "Box in the driver's position" systems.. These have to be INSTALLED every time you tow (I know they say "No Installation" but don't believe it).

I"d go with a Ready Brake (If you have not gotten a tow bar the Ready Brute has that option) or Blue Ox Auto Stop.. or if you have air brakes and it fits your towed (not a given) The M&G or Air force 1

Goign down the line I used USGEAR Unified brake decelarator (Bad install cost me a brake job rotors incuded on car) or Invisi Brake or ...

Well most any INSTALLED system that's not in your way when you drive.

As for legality. Multiple laws. Most states have a law that says something like
Aux brakes needed if towed trailer (Vehicle) is over xxxx pounds The weigh can be as low as 1500 or as high as 4000 and it is the state of registration that determines. (NOTE those weights are by memory and may be ...off.. also yoru state may be different)

SOme states only have laws that apply to "Trailers" and they will try to convince you "Oh you are towing a car not a trailer" But read the definition of Trailer (Any vehicle towed so that the weight of the towed vehicle does NOT REST on the towing vehicle.. Which fits a car towed 4 Down perfectly but does NOT fit a TT.. So there are additional definitions for the Trailers).

The other law is called "Reckless Endangerment" and if you rear end me and you don't have aux brakes on the "Trailer".. Well .. I'll be rich.

[jplante4]

This is always a hot topic. If it gets moved to the Towed Vehicles forum where it belongs all the squirrels will attack and you'll be sorry you ever asked the question.

I bought a Blue Ox tow bar and an RVi2 brake system used on Craig's List. The only thing the brake did was run my toad battery down. Next season I'm going to run a second light socket in the tail lights and put a switch on the toad brake lights. I don't thing the diode system works.

Bottom line, required or not, safety and insurance companies dictate that brakes are a good idea.

[rgatijnet1]

I'll post this one more time, and expect the usual responses......I sent inquires to every State that we would be traveling in, from East to West, and NONE of them require supplemental brakes for a vehicle in tow, in other words your toad in the 4 down configuration. I still used a supplemental braking system but it was not required. I even posted the people that responded along with their phone numbers, etc.
In any case, I learned that if my supplemental braking system failed, which they will, you do not have to abandon your vehicle at the side of the road. You are perfectly legal to continue on to your next destination and get your braking system fixed at your convenience. As far as your insurance company penalizing you for doing something that is legal, that is BS.
The BS from the various brake system manufacturers give the usual 3000 pound brake requirement regulations but they are talking about TRAILERS, not "vehicles in tow". Remember, you are NON-COMMERCIAL vehicle with a vehicle in tow, and are NOT required to have supplemental braking in any of the 40+ States that I contacted. If you use a TRAILER, or TOW DOLLY, braking is required.
Since I will not bother digging up all of the replies that I got, here are just two of them:
From Tennessee
We have reviewed your question regarding towing a vehicle behind your motor home within Tennessee and whether you are required to have supplemental braking on that towed vehicle. The Tennessee Code on brakes is silent on a (non-commercial) drive away / tow away operation such as the one you describe and therefore in your scenario the vehicle being towed with the tow bar would be exempt from brakes. However, the lighting regulations still apply; therefore, ensure that your braking lights and turn signals function properly.

Enjoy your time in Tennessee,

Samuel Girwarnauth | Legal Intern

Legal Division

Tennessee Tower, 25th Floor

Nashville, TN 37243

p. 615-532-7679

Samuel.Girwarnauth@tn.gov

tn.gov/safety

And since you are from Florida:

A vehicle towed behind a motor home would be exempt from the braking requirements in Florida statute 316.261 as a drive away, tow away operation. Please contact me if you have any other questions.

Lt. Jeff Frost
Florida Highway Patrol
Public Affairs Officer
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 45
850-617-2279
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
www.flhsmv.gov/fhp
Jefffrost@flhsmv.gov

As I mentioned, I use a braking system, but lets not give new members false information that comes from manufacturers that are interested in selling their brake systems to RV owners and rely on scare tactics and false information to sell their products.

[et2]

For safety factors alone I can't imagine not using one, no matter the weight.

[Stim]

Tow it on a dolly with surge brakes.
Dolly will always have some resale value too.

[Tripalot]

If you decide not to use a braking system, check with your insurance company. If you were to have an accident, they might determine that you were knowingly driving an unsafe vehicle and therefore would not be covered by insurance.

[rk911]

requirement or not IMO it's a good idea. check your mfg but i'll bet that the brakes on the MH are rated only for the MHs GVWR. get a good aux braking system.

[jorbill2or]

Usual hot topic on here 25 more pages to go but .. it’s most states you are required brakes not just 3 ... however you do it I’d put it in and use it in all states.

[sundancer268]

My Ford Focus weighs less than 3000 pounds (2920) last weighing and I noticed a big difference in the stopping capabilities last year when I installed the Air Force One. I had towed the Focus since 2009 when I got the coach and was hard pressed to justify the $1000 plus for the brake system. I am glad I did install it and will transfer it to the new toad this spring when I decide on what I am going to buy.

[wildtoad]

Fairly sure it’s more than three states and all of Canada. But if you decide to get a used system private message me.