Some of y'all are scarin' me!

[TucsonJim]

While at the Good Sam rally in Phoenix last month, a camper was parked next to us. She had an 18ft TT, and was pulling it with an SUV. While there, she purchased a new 22' TT from one of the vendors, but was upset that they were charging her for a "Brake Thingy". I asked her to explain and she showed me the sales contract which had a brake controller listed.

I told her it was probably just a mistake and to show me her current controller and I'd see if it would work on her new trailer. She didn't know what a brake controller was, and didn't know where it was located in her SUV. So I took a look and there was NO controller in her TV. She said she didn't need one because she had a plug on the back of the SUV that she plugged the trailer into and it should connect the brakes.

So I tried to spend the next half hour explaining how it all worked and her final comment was "I should be just fine without it". Hopefully, that dealer won't let her leave without following through and safely equipping her SUV.

Yikes!
:E

Jim

[cmcdar]

WNYBob wrote:
Here in NY I've had several 1000 lb trailers inspected which only involved checking lights and pulling the hitch up and down by hand (to check if it is sturdy)

It will be interesting to watch what they do for the inspection of my 20 ft TT next month!

When I bought my camper, the dealer sent me off, in a storm, with no lights working.

Unfortunately, I found that out a few days after I was home. I was told that the camper was inspected and it had an inspection sticker.

I thought that perhaps a bulb had blown. NO, that was not it. When I took it all apart, I found that the socket was so rusted out that that tail light/directional could have never worked to get it to pass inspection.

I guess passing inspection has a lot to do with WHO is doing the inspection.

[Camper_G]

ford truck guy wrote:

Camper G wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Here in PA also... You MUST leave the whole combination when getting the trailer inspected...

BUT - I know that many facilities tell you where to "DROP IT" when calling for an appointment..

Please explain where the language is in the pa state inspection manual that says you have to leave the whole combination for inspection. I have a class 7 PA state inspection mechanics license and don't recall that anywhere in the code.

As far as that ladys attitude, wow, that's crazy. I hope someone has made her see the light. People like that should not be towing trailers. That's how people get hurt

I really don't know, i do not have a class 7 pa state inspection mechanics license... but i did sleep at a Holliday Inn express last night....

Every facility that i took my trailer too,said that in order to inspect, the trailer must be connect to the tow vehicle... sorry for being wrong

Nothing to apologize for friend. I was just asking because i was not aware of that requirement and you had "must" in all capital letters so i wanted to know if there was something I missed. Thanks

[rexlion]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
I am often amazed at the lack of vehicular common sense I see all around me, often by "professionals". We sell / service machinery mounted to heavy truck chassis. Just a day or two ago I got in a State DOT truck (I won't say which states big orange truck) that had been dropped off for service. In the 100 feet it took me to move it form where they parked it to my shop, I realized it had very little, if any, rear brake function. I could feel the weight shift and abrupt grabbing of the front axle as the pedal was nearly at the floor - going less than 10 MPH. I walked around it and saw new parts just replaced all around the brake system. Assorted air valves, a brake chamber on one rear axle...obviously they knew something was wrong and someone attempted to fix it....that's 66,000 pounds of barely able to stop rolling through traffic....

At least they brought it in for service. Hopefully that service included brake repair. Were the brakes fixed by the time the truck left your shop?

[Bears_Den]

I have learned a lot over the years from various posts on Rvnet. I have gotten into the habit when at a CG to look at people's set ups as they pull in to the CG. The majority I've seen have their act together but there are some that don't. Towing with a vehicle that has no business being a TV, no WDH no sway control. As the OP stated its scary. I just hope this woman gets educated fast and doesn't hurt anyone. Stay safe everyone.

[azrving]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
I am often amazed at the lack of vehicular common sense I see all around me, often by "professionals". We sell / service machinery mounted to heavy truck chassis. Just a day or two ago I got in a State DOT truck (I won't say which states big orange truck) that had been dropped off for service. In the 100 feet it took me to move it form where they parked it to my shop, I realized it had very little, if any, rear brake function. I could feel the weight shift and abrupt grabbing of the front axle as the pedal was nearly at the floor - going less than 10 MPH. I walked around it and saw new parts just replaced all around the brake system. Assorted air valves, a brake chamber on one rear axle...obviously they knew something was wrong and someone attempted to fix it....that's 66,000 pounds of barely able to stop rolling through traffic....

In Michigan a 65 % score is required to pass the state mechanic certification tests.

[SoundGuy]

Phew! ... after all these years of towing it's now finally been confirmed I actually have a "Brake Thingy". Mine's a Tekonsha P3. :W

[greende]

WNYBob wrote:
Here in NY I've had several 1000 lb trailers inspected which only involved checking lights and pulling the hitch up and down by hand (to check if it is sturdy)

It will be interesting to watch what they do for the inspection of my 20 ft TT next month!

In New York, the inspection process should be different between a TT and a lightweight utility trailer. I get my 5er and 8000# flatbed trailer inspected at a big rig trailer repair place here in Syracuse. I have to leave the combo and they test brakes, pull at least one wheel and make sure the breakaway system works in addition to all the lights & stuff. If your inspection station is not doing that, it's time to go to a new place.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

I am often amazed at the lack of vehicular common sense I see all around me, often by "professionals". We sell / service machinery mounted to heavy truck chassis. Just a day or two ago I got in a State DOT truck (I won't say which states big orange truck) that had been dropped off for service. In the 100 feet it took me to move it form where they parked it to my shop, I realized it had very little, if any, rear brake function. I could feel the weight shift and abrupt grabbing of the front axle as the pedal was nearly at the floor - going less than 10 MPH. I walked around it and saw new parts just replaced all around the brake system. Assorted air valves, a brake chamber on one rear axle...obviously they knew something was wrong and someone attempted to fix it....that's 66,000 pounds of barely able to stop rolling through traffic....

[jamesu]

Way too many examples of how you just can't fix stupid.

[afidel]

No inspection in Ohio, Michigan only requires one at first license, trailer plates are perpetual.

[ScottG]

We dont have inspections here and on the surface, they seem like a PIA.
But then I see questionable tow rigs; Vehicles with one brake light, bald or bulging tires and a myriad of safety related issues. Then there's the OTR trucks. Unless they happen to get caught up in a surprise inspection, they're often junk on wheels.

[Moore_RVers]

In Virginia when you get your trailer inspected they make you bring it with the tow vehicle and the tow vehicle is used as part of the inspection. Therefore you cannot get away with not having a brake controller. I like having to do this here.

[ford_truck_guy]

Camper G wrote:

ford truck guy wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Here in PA also... You MUST leave the whole combination when getting the trailer inspected...

BUT - I know that many facilities tell you where to "DROP IT" when calling for an appointment..

Please explain where the language is in the pa state inspection manual that says you have to leave the whole combination for inspection. I have a class 7 PA state inspection mechanics license and don't recall that anywhere in the code.

As far as that ladys attitude, wow, that's crazy. I hope someone has made her see the light. People like that should not be towing trailers. That's how people get hurt

I really don't know, i do not have a class 7 pa state inspection mechanics license... but i did sleep at a Holliday Inn express last night....

Every facility that i took my trailer too,said that in order to inspect, the trailer must be connect to the tow vehicle... sorry for being wrong

[Camper_G]

ford truck guy wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You would think that the state DOT inspection station requirements would catch some of this... All of the installed DOT safety lights including the functioning electric brakes are all part of the required safety inspection here where I live.

when all passes then I get a current sticker placed on my trailer...

Roy Ken

Here in PA also... You MUST leave the whole combination when getting the trailer inspected...

BUT - I know that many facilities tell you where to "DROP IT" when calling for an appointment..

Please explain where the language is in the pa state inspection manual that says you have to leave the whole combination for inspection. I have a class 7 PA state inspection mechanics license and don't recall that anywhere in the code.

As far as that ladys attitude, wow, that's crazy. I hope someone has made her see the light. People like that should not be towing trailers. That's how people get hurt

[Lwiddis]

"Brake Thingy?" May God keep this RVer and those around her safe.