flat towing or tow dolly

[charlestown]

I have a 31ft motor home I was wandering if I flat tow a car are the brakes applied when I use my motorhome brakes or is there something that applies the brakes on the towed vehicle . I know with tow dollies surge or electric brakes are used

[mowermech]

I have done some of that research.
Enough to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the "compendium of laws" DO exist as stated, but NONE that I have seen are accurate!
I base that statement on the information given for Montana in such lists. IT IS NOT TRUE! I have done considerable research in the Montana Code Annotated 61- series, and I CAN give the references if desired.
The braking performance requirements are as nearly universal as one can get. As a Federal regulation, they apply to all states, and nearly all states have incorporated them, nearly verbatim, in their state statutes. "Nearly verbatim" because the stopping distance can vary, as in CA says 45 feet and Montana says 40 feet, from 20 MPH on a hard, level, clean dry surface.
I have never seen a "List Of Towing Laws" that is any where near accurate or complete enough to be used as a reliable reference!

[afrescopXx]

mowermech wrote:
"Most states require some manner of braking system for toads."

Please prove that statement by showing the State Statutes that require a braking system on a towed vehicle.
Please do not use any "List Of Towing Laws" found on the internet, and sponsored by the manufacturer of a towed vehicle braking system. I have yet to see one that is accurate.
Please do not use trailer braking laws. Many states do not class a towed vehicle as a trailer in their list of legal definitions.
However, most states DO have a mirror of the FMVSS Braking Performance Requirements codified in the state statutes. Here in Montana it is MCA 61-9-312.

I am certain that if I were to have five or six months of research time I could quote the individual state towing laws verbatim. Since I do not have such time you will have to accept the fact the have seen such a compendium of the laws here online. It does exist. The laws do vary state to state by weight of the towed vehicle.

[mowermech]

"Most states require some manner of braking system for toads."

Please prove that statement by showing the State Statutes that require a braking system on a towed vehicle.
Please do not use any "List Of Towing Laws" found on the internet, and sponsored by the manufacturer of a towed vehicle braking system. I have yet to see one that is accurate.
Please do not use trailer braking laws. Many states do not class a towed vehicle as a trailer in their list of legal definitions.
However, most states DO have a mirror of the FMVSS Braking Performance Requirements codified in the state statutes. Here in Montana it is MCA 61-9-312.

[Bobbo]

The phrase "no problem at all" only means you haven't yet had an emergency stop in an insufficiently short space. I pray that you never do. More for the other people you will kill or injure since you made your choice.

By the way, why don't you throw out your fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, CO detectors, LP detectors and cancel your insurance while you are at it. I have been all over the country, and never had a need for any of them. No problem at all.

[afrescopXx]

squatting dog wrote:
towed all over the country with this setup. no brakes, yet, no problem at all.

Your statement reminds me of the guy who fell from the top of a tall building. A person asked the guy as he was falling "How's it going" The guy's response "So far so good".

Remember, in that case it isn't the fall that kills you but the sudden stop. In your case it is both.

Most states require some manner of braking system for toads. Should you have a wreck you caused you find yourself SOL insurance wise.

[squatting_dog]

towed all over the country with this setup. no brakes, yet, no problem at all.

[richnorsworthy]

Dinghy towing is a great way to go if you get the right vehicle to tow. Just make sure it is not the 2014 to 2016 Jeep Cherokee! These are having terrible problems with wobbling/swaying while towing if you hit a rough spot in the road. We now have over 40 people on our list that are having the same issue and Chrysler is finally starting to admit there is a problem and "maybe" trying to see if there is a fix. Anyone having a problem with these Cherokees let us know and we will get you on the list. richnors@flash.net

[Islandman]

I have SMI's StayInPlay braking system for our Class C and Jeep Wrangler; one feature that we like is that it's totally out of the way inside the Jeep. They cost a little more but IMHO are worth it. SMI also makes the AirForceOne system which is for motorhomes with air brakes.

[Gonzo42]

When I get to my destinations, campground or other, I store my Brake Buddy on the floor in front of my RV driver's seat. Its not in the way since I'm not driving the RV. Also the safety chains go in a tool bag and in the same location.

[navegator]

Towing four down is easier, only one item to contend with having a dolly requires that you hook the dolly to the RV and then get the toad on to the dolly, on some front wheel drive vehicles this is the only option then you need to store the dolly somewhere next to the RV when it is not being used.

I have a class C and tow a Suzuki I have a brake system made by SMI, most states use a performance criteria, it states that the motorhome has to stop in a certain distance from a given speed with the vehicle being towed, only trailers that are ABOVE 1500 pounds need brakes in the State of California and motor vehicles as in cars are not required to have supplemental brake assist, it is left to the owner to have or not not have brakes assist on the toad.

Having the supplemental brakes has saved me from idiots that either decide to exit the freeway at the last moment or think that stop signs and red lights do not apply to them.

navegator

[kalynzoo]

There was a good article in the Motorhome magazine a few months ago explaining tow braking systems. There are many systems available, and from personal experience they are worthwhile. I use the ReadyBrake, requires instillation in the car but makes hitching and unhitching very simple. I previously had the BuddyBrake box, which you place at the foot of the drivers seat. Worked well, but you need a place to store it when not in use. Most RV dealers, and Camping World have displays explaining at least a few of the systems available.

[Bumpyroad]

you need some type of braking with a break away feature.
chances are this might be discussed in the owner's manual for your MH and when you have a wreck, their lawyer will have read that clause.
bumpy

[rr2254545]

Jayco-noslide wrote:
It's optional. In our case with a 31 ft MH and a car that weighs 2700 lbs. we have opted not to add brakes to the car and it's legal I believe up to 3000 lbs. But you can add a device to the towed vehicle that will apply brakes.

Not optional - required in some state and at the least a safety issue the MH was not designed to stop an added cars weight

[Gonzo42]

I believe that here in the People's Republic of California, any towed car over 1500 lbs requires a braking system. I have a Brake Buddy and am very happy with it, and happy with the customer service.