Unbraked trailer, towing limitations
Hey folks, I’m looking for a new tow vehicle for a rig coming in at 2700 lbs, loaded, per the scale. I decided to trade down to a more modest unibody suv like the highlander, telluride or similar wit...
Forum Discussion
Thermoguy wrote:
Just for anyone that thinks there vehicle can't stop the trailer behind them. If you own a GM (maybe others, I have a chev so not sure of the others) if you get the dreaded steering stabilizer warning or check trailer wiring warning, the first thing you lose is your trailer brakes. The system just stops working if you get those warnings. I have driven half way across the state with that warning popping on and off towing a 12000 lb 5th wheel. Yes, my brakes had to work harder, but I stopped in aprox the same distance with or without. One can argue, larger truck, larger brakes, but I didn't have an issue stopping. I recently towed a medium sized Uhaul with my Explorer, also no brakes. It wasn't loaded too heavy, but never thought about the trailer brakes or stopping. Small trailer, small tow vehicle, no issues.
Somebody is missing the point. Put a load in your vehicle up to GVWR, and normal driving you are unlikely to notice issues stopping in the same distance as MT But, and it's a big but, when the kid runs the stop sign on the big wheel, MT will stop in a shorter distance. And when your GCVW is 175% of GVWR, like that heavy trailer, a if the truck in front of you did a panic stop you would eat the pillows.
The idea that somebody would drive halfway across any state shows a lack of judgement.
