Supplemental Brake... Necessity or Preference

[JohnnyT]

We seem to have a good number of discussions on the issue of the need for supplemental brakes... Unfortunately many of the discussions are not very productive in terms of giving those who have an open mind and who are genuinely trying to gather information useful information. Nor is there much value in trying to get those that have their minds made up to change or even consider another point of view...

As is often the case when the subject of supplemental brakes comes up some opinions offered are based on their own choices... Which may or many not fit your situation. In some instances these opinions offered are not constructive but lapse into you are wrong and I am right...

Area's to do your own assessment as to need or desirability;

State Law's
Weight of towed vehicle in relation to motorhome
Amount of rear overhang
Rated capacity of motorhome service Brakes
Chassis/Motorhome Manufacturers recommendations
Reduction of braking force required of motorhome service brakes..
Ability to have Break Away braking
Motorhome brake wear
Operational Reliability of the Supplemental Brake

State Law
The reality is that almost all states do have laws requiring supplemental brakes for trailers and most states do not have any stated requirements for supplemental brakes for motor vehicles in tow... However many states do have laws specific to motor vehicles being towed, in some instances those laws require the ability to stop within a specified distance at a specific speed. There are also a number of states that have a weight limitation on the weight that can be towed without a supplemental brake. There are a good number of states that require a supplemental brake system. The link previously posted appears to give an accurate summary of the specific requirements by state.
Towing Laws By State I would review the information in the link provided and reach your own judgment as to the legal requirement...

Rather than any legal requirement or wear issue to the service brakes on the motorhome, the issue I would be considering first is safety margin. I would want to be in compliance with the legal requirements where ever I towed, but my issue is safety margin. I would start with understanding the;

Rated capacity of motorhome service Brakes
Some chassis manufacturers will specify that the use of a supplemental brake is required after some minimal weight usually around 1500 pounds. Other Manufacturers will state that the service brakes are only rated for GVWR not GCWR... So I would consult your owners manual or call the chassis manufacturer.

A supplemental brake ought to lessen the braking force required by the motorhome service brakes. This would be of particular note on long down hill descents since the added braking force will lessen the amount of braking force needed by the motorhome service brakes. Which should lessen the potential for brake fade due to overheating of the brakes. I personally do not put much faith in advertising claims in terms of stopping distances but I have done a bit of non scientific testing to the point that I am certain that when using the same amount of pedal pressure I am able to stop in a shorter distance with the dinghy in tow with the supplemental brake activated than without...

The other issue is that the weight of the towed vehicle will be pushing its full weight on the back of the motorhome which would exacerbate any handling issues during hard braking if the towed vehicle and the motorhome are not in alignment. If the motorhome happened to have a long overhang and the weight of the towed vehicle is any significant percentage of the motorhome the more likely that the weight of the towed vehicle pushing on the back of the motorhome will be a factor relative to handling in a hard braking situation.

One last area...If you decide you want a supplemental brake system... Then pick the one that best maps to your requirements... For those brake systems that have user adjustments invest the time to calibrate your brake so that it will provide the braking force intended. Here is an excellent description of the various Supplemental Brake Systems.

For those that are only interested in having a supplemental system that only provides braking in the event of a break away here is one such system Break Away only option

As you work through the decision process of whether or not making the investment for a supplemental brake system is warranted...There are a myriad of variant opinions... With justifications for supplemental brake system or rationales against... Unfortunately many of the discussions are predicated based on extremes some of which are uncommonly unlikely or have the potential to be avoided; Brake fade, a dinghy that breaks away, an accident where braking ability was a factor or becomes a factor in litigation. Any of which are either rare or unlikely. The odds of any can be reduced by adjusting ones driving strategy or going the route of investing in a suitable supplemental braking system or both... In my case both. In addition our coach is also equipped with a 2 stage engine brake.

The reality is that beyond any legal requirement which is not commonly going to be an issue in terms of enforcement or liability. The issue of brake fade can be avoided by altering driving style to reduce the factors that cause brake fade... Stopping distance can be taken into account by increasing the distance between the vehicle in front and driving a lower speeds. The potential for a break away can be lessoned with preventive care of towing apparatus and the proper use of safety chains/cables. The added braking force of a supplemental brake system can be an added safety margin for those un predictable situations... Its up to each individual to reach their own conclusions.

The one area that is the most difficult take preventative measure for is the weight of the dinghy pushing against the back of the motorhome in a emergency braking situation where the dinghy is not in direct alignment with the motorhome... In those instances where the motorhome has a long overhang will exacerbate the potential problem which will be amplified as the weight of the dinghy increases as a percentage of the motorhome weight.

While I have invested in a supplemental brake system, that is my personal choice... I fully subscribe that the likelihood that the absolute need beyond conformance with legal requirements would fall into the very low percentile... Which is comforting..unless you are in the small percentile group.

JohnnyT Moderator

[Dutch_12078]

steppinstone wrote:
I am looking for a toad for my rig and was looking at the
ReadyBrake™ Supplemental Brake Systems.
I can see in the video how it stops with the cable but what if the toad breaks away ? will the brakes apply ? how do the brakes work if it breaks away

NSA makes the "Readystop Towed Vehicle Break Away" system that sells for $100. It's also cable actuated, and hooks up just as easily as the ReadyBrake system.

Readystop Towed Vehicle Break Away

[Modocbrave]

Depending on the type of brake system on your MH, you might consider a SMI Air Force One or SMI-Duo braking system. Seems to be highly recommended by many RV performance shops.

[steppinstone]

I am looking for a toad for my rig and was looking at the
ReadyBrake™ Supplemental Brake Systems.
I can see in the video how it stops with the cable but what if the toad breaks away ? will the brakes apply ? how do the brakes work if it breaks away

[mikeintn]

After reading all this, my brain hurts. I believe I will get a Brake Buddy to go in my toad (looking more like a Jeep Wrangler everyday) when I get it. I will hook up a light inside the MH to tell me when the toad brake pedal is pressed (brake lights on) so maybe that will protect my toads brakes in case of trouble with the braking unit. Thanks to Johhny for the write up and all who gave an opinion.

[Pete__Amanda]

Absolutely neccessary and probably legally required depending on your state, or the state/country you are in.

[csdavis62]

teebee1 wrote:
Is anyone familiar with the ReadyBrake surge system?

I have heard of the Ready Break surge system. I have a Freelander 32BH Class C motor home on the 2010 Ford E450 chassis with a CGVW of 20,000 LBS. Coachmen is one of the few who publish the as built weight of their coaches and mine is 12,316 lbs which is reasonably lite I guess due to the use of aluminum and Azdel Superlite Composite walls. I will be towing a 2004 Toyota 4Runner (V8 2WD) with a Remco drive shaft disconnect, Roadmaster base plate and ReadyBrute tow bar with the integrated Ready Break system. In normal operating conditions I do believe that the MH breaks will stop the combined weight of the toad and coach however it is emergency situations that concern me. I have 5 children and believe it would be irresponsible not to have a supplemental breaking system installed.

The ReadyBreak System is simple, affordable, and well reviewed by many satisfied owners who have towed for years. I was going down the Blue OX Patriot road until I read the horror stories of setup issues especially considering the cost of the unit.

Bottom line I like the simplicity of the Ready Break system and the fact that it is fully mechanical and physically cannot apply the brakes in error if correctly installed and maintained. It also cost about half what most other systems cost.

I recommend anyone looking into SBS check it out.

Scott

[isa]

The fact is that there are very few states and or provinces that require auxiliary brakes on a TOWED VEHICLE provided that the combination of vehicles can pass a stated perfomance test with respect to speed and braking distance and/or a given weight limit. The speed stated is always 20mph. and the distance varies from 25 ft. to 50 ft. The weight limits stated run from 1500 lb.(NV) to 5000 lb. (AK). Only AK, FL, NC, NV & WI show a weight limit. HI, ND & DC statutes are not available on line.

Check the DMV statutes where you live. Do not get caught up with the argument that a TOWED VEHICLE is a TRAILER, it is not a TRAILER but you have to look at the wording used in the STATUTES with respect to what is being TOWED.

If your state does not specifically outline the rules for a TOWED VEHICLE then there is no applicable statute.

The best reference that I have found with respect to the 50 states is:

http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html

I live in the Province of British Columbia, Canada where the rules for auxiliary braking requirements when towing are quite simple and very easy to understand:

MOTOR VEHICLE ACT REGULATIONS Continued
B.C. Reg. 26/58
Division 5 Brakes

Section 5.02.(7) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a towed motor vehicle that has a laden gross vehicle weight less than 2000 kg and that is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar.

B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (j); 46/67, s. 10; 226/67, s. 4; 205/72, s. 6; 343/77; 459/77, s. 2; 256/84, s. 6; 257/96, s. 1; 109/97,

FYI: 2000 kg. is 4409.2 lb.
The 40% rule will apply to vehicles that weigh less than 5000 kg. or 11023.1 lb.

P.S.(1) As far as I know, none of the auxiliary braking systems available today meet any kind of FEDERAL /STATE or PROVINCIAL standard.

P.S.(2) In British Columbia, the same people that make the DMV rules i.e. the Government of B.C., are also the same people who insure us - ICBC, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Crown Corporation.

P.S.(3) "driveby" in a previous write up on this subject is correct in stating that British Columbia, Canada is one of the few provinces and/or states to specifically address the auxilliary brake requirements for motorhomes towing another vehicle. However in his post you should change the 2000# to 2000kg. Canada is a "metric" country. Ho! Ho! censored Ho!

[Dragonrover401]

I use my D-Brake Professional Tow Brake mostly for safety reasons of having a shorter braking distance.

[WeZe]

Johnny T,

Your information was extremely helpful to a' newbee' like me. Thank you!

[CA_Traveler]

kccougar wrote:
I'm interested to hear from those who have towed a Suzuki Samurai. They are very light (~2,100 lb). Do you use supplemental brakes?

I have an older 30-ft Class A that weighs in around 12,000 lbs.

I had a 12K Pace towing a bug and coming down a hill I wanted to turn left at the bottom with no toad brakes. Well i did stop and turn left with over heated smoking brakes. Well I was younger then but I never forgot that lesson.

[kccougar]

I'm interested to hear from those who have towed a Suzuki Samurai. They are very light (~2,100 lb). Do you use supplemental brakes?

I have an older 30-ft Class A that weighs in around 12,000 lbs.

[teebee1]

Is anyone familiar with the ReadyBrake surge system?

[ambyn]

We have just taken our first 600 miles with a supplemental brake in our 1994 Toyota Camry pulled by our Class A Diesel.

Yes we were well within the GVWR of the RV but the air brakes on the diesel are quite different than those on our old gas Bounder. They have a fixed amount of braking pressure that does not change with added pressure on the brake pedal.

I have had to make a few panic stops when towing a 2500 pound Saturn without suppl. brakes and did not like it at all.

The Camry is over 500 pounds more and is loaded with two sea kayaks and now two bikes.

So far I have found the braking to be significantly better with the supplemental brake (roadmaster brakemaster slaved to RV via air line).

It is not that the RV brakes can not handle the load BUT the stopping distance that the additional load imposes if there are no supplemental brakes.

We will be traveling from FL to AZ soon as well as in the mountains of CO. I expect that the brakemaster will payoff big time out west.

Amby N.

[CA_Traveler]

Londo13 wrote:
Ok, now I’m all screwed up by the “Towing Laws By State” posting. We have been preparing to retire to full time and have been shopping for a 40' MH and plan to buy a 30' trailer to haul a car, golf cart and tools. I was under the assumption that with a CDL B license w/air endorsement, I could drive any single with trailer, except Semi’s. This package would be about 75' long and most states, according to that posting, don’t allow that size rig.

I currently have a 34' Pace Arrow MH and often pull a 26' enclosed but this isn’t big enough for us and the “fur kids” to live in/with full time. I’m not concerned about being able to drive the outfit, but is it illegal even if I have the CDL B license?

There are many posts on this that you can search for including the archives. Laws change so you could check the states that you plan to travel in.

You need a DL for your size rig in your state and the DL is good in any state. However there is no reciprocity for exceeding the length restrictions of the state that you are driving in.

[Londo13]

Ok, now I’m all screwed up by the “Towing Laws By State” posting. We have been preparing to retire to full time and have been shopping for a 40' MH and plan to buy a 30' trailer to haul a car, golf cart and tools. I was under the assumption that with a CDL B license w/air endorsement, I could drive any single with trailer, except Semi’s. This package would be about 75' long and most states, according to that posting, don’t allow that size rig.

I currently have a 34' Pace Arrow MH and often pull a 26' enclosed but this isn’t big enough for us and the “fur kids” to live in/with full time. I’m not concerned about being able to drive the outfit, but is it illegal even if I have the CDL B license?