Seems like alotta trailer for the tow vehicle

[Jetstreamer]

Saw this going down the road today. I believe it's a jeep Cherokee??

[Community Alumni]

dadmomh wrote:
Certainly not saying you're wrong, but I'm having trouble accepting that if you're driving 60mph and at a given spot on the road you slam on the brakes to mimic a crisis stop, that you're going to be stopping in the same distance with the tow vehicle only or with a tow vehicle + long trailer that is likely close to or possibly over their limits. Just doesn't work for me.

It's not hard to do at all. The goal is to get neutral braking where neither the truck nor trailer imparts its braking effort on the other vehicle. This way neither vehicle ever has to stop any more weight than itself. This also saves the brake components on each since neither produces more effort than necessary. Stopping distances with neutral braking is pretty much equal to unloaded distances. Getting neutral braking can be tricky because of all kinds of variables out there. So the next best thing is to set up the brakes so that the trailer takes the lead. The trailer ends up pulling back against the TV and maintains stopping distances.

Also I agree with bobbyg123 that speed is a pretty important factor here. I'd be more comfortable riding along this combo at 50 mph than a F350 doing 80mph with the same trailer. When the unexpected pops out at you, you stand a much better chance at 50mph than 80mph regardless of the vehicle. Less speed also means your vehicles working less to pull that load. Common sense and manners goes a long way on the highways.

[easycamper]

bobbyg123 wrote:
I'm not at all advocating that you should tow beyond your tow vehicles capabilities, but what I've learned over the past 6 years of towing my trailer with my 1/2 ton truck is that speed is the most important safety factor there is.

You got it. A small difference in speed makes a huge difference in stability and braking.

The weight police have blinders on and see only one issue. It's not irrelevant, but it has a minor impact on RV safety in the real world. That's why they come up with gems like:

"I replaced my ST tires with LT tires so I can go as fast as I want."

"Speed limits aren't based on anything real."

"I almost hit a child because I wasn't paying attention, but now I bought a bigger truck so I'm good."

I've read all the above and worse on this forum.

[bobbyg123]

I'm not at all advocating that you should tow beyond your tow vehicles capabilities, but what I've learned over the past 6 years of towing my trailer with my 1/2 ton truck is that speed is the most important safety factor there is.

The difference between towing at 50MPH vs. 65MPH is night and day in terms of handling, braking, sway, you name it. Again, I'm not saying that the person was wise for towing that trailer with their jeep, but if they keep their speed down, they'll probably be fine.

[jc1843]

Towing that trailer is a crosswind would get interesting-- in fact scary.

[texasclarks]

dadmomh wrote:
Certainly not saying you're wrong, but I'm having trouble accepting that if you're driving 60mph and at a given spot on the road you slam on the brakes to mimic a crisis stop, that you're going to be stopping in the same distance with the tow vehicle only or with a tow vehicle + long trailer that is likely close to or possibly over their limits. Just doesn't work for me.

It does if your trailer brakes are dialed in properly and brake controller is working properly. I have 'tested' it in real life and was surprised how quickly I did (could) stop. Now the stuff inside the trailer definitely shifted a lot...but that is a different lesson learned:)

[dadmomh]

Certainly not saying you're wrong, but I'm having trouble accepting that if you're driving 60mph and at a given spot on the road you slam on the brakes to mimic a crisis stop, that you're going to be stopping in the same distance with the tow vehicle only or with a tow vehicle + long trailer that is likely close to or possibly over their limits. Just doesn't work for me.

[Dog_Folks]

JIMNLIN wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
How can you be sure that trailer brakes are not "supplemental" in function?

What is there to say that they have the power to stop 100% of the trailer weight?

I have researched it and cannot find any information on it.

Brakes on any vehicle are sized to the highest GAWR.
NHTSA says this about components of the GAWR:
"Gross Axle Weight Rating is the rated load-carrying capacity of an individual axle and wheel assembly. (It represents the load that may be steadily sustained by the components in the system; i.e., tires, rims, hubs, bearing, axles, brakes, suspension, sub frame, etc. with the GAWR limited by the components with the lowest working rating".

and

from AL/KO axles

(Gross Axle Weight Rating) is the maximum load that the axles will
carry and the maximum load the brakes will stop.

Thanks for the explanation. That means there must be brakes on both axles of the average tandem axle trailer.

I did always wonder about that part.

[Keith_Haw]

dodge guy wrote:

FrankShore wrote:
Holy WOW!

Doesn't that guy realize it's not how much you can tow, but can you bring what you're towing to a safe and complete stop!

Arcticfox676 wrote:
I would like to see that Jeep stop 35ft.

I do believe they put brakes on the TT`s now! on any vehicle the TV stops it weight and the TT stops it`s weight!

That explains why I can stop in the same distance with or without my trailer, nice to know.

[phenrichs]

getting stopped could be an issue sure, but as mentioned I am sure that there are trailer brakes on it. How long is the trans gonna last in that little thing?

[Tystevens]

easycamper wrote:
Wow. People taking pictures of other vehicles on the road instead of paying attention to what's going on in front of them. That is scary!

Ironic, huh!

I mean, since there is an epidemic of people being killed and injured by overloaded TVs on the highways, while you almost never see any accidents caused by distracted driving.

Or was it the other way around? 😉

[JIMNLIN]

Dog Folks wrote:
How can you be sure that trailer brakes are not "supplemental" in function?

What is there to say that they have the power to stop 100% of the trailer weight?

I have researched it and cannot find any information on it.

Brakes on any vehicle are sized to the highest GAWR.
NHTSA says this about components of the GAWR:
"Gross Axle Weight Rating is the rated load-carrying capacity of an individual axle and wheel assembly. (It represents the load that may be steadily sustained by the components in the system; i.e., tires, rims, hubs, bearing, axles, brakes, suspension, sub frame, etc. with the GAWR limited by the components with the lowest working rating".

and

from AL/KO axles

(Gross Axle Weight Rating) is the maximum load that the axles will
carry and the maximum load the brakes will stop.

[easycamper]

Dog Folks wrote:
How can you be sure that trailer brakes are not "supplemental" in function?

What is there to say that they have the power to stop 100% of the trailer weight?

I have researched it and cannot find any information on it.

The brakes on each axle stop the weight on that axle. The trailer brakes stop the trailer axle weight; the truck stops the truck weight and the tongue or pin weight. This is why trailers are required to have brakes regardless of what they're being towed with.

If the trailer brakes fail, the truck can still stop the trailer but it will take much more distance since the amount of stopping force is limited.

[Dog_Folks]

How can you be sure that trailer brakes are not "supplemental" in function?

What is there to say that they have the power to stop 100% of the trailer weight?

I have researched it and cannot find any information on it.

[Thom02099]

Just because you "CAN" doesn't mean you "SHOULD".

Safety first.