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
valhalla360 wrote:StirCrazy wrote:
this doesnt realy come into question in Canada as every provence has variations but any trailer over 2000 to 3000 lbs must have an independent braking system installed (except newfoundland for some reason) and surge brakes dont meet the requirments of being able to be applied seperatly.
common sence thought would come into play that if you exceed the max GVW then you need braking as that number i partialy derived from braking power if I remember right.. might be wrong though..
Most states have a similar requirement but it appears manufacturers are saying it's even lower.
As stated earlier, my guess is they are more risk adverse when a trailer without brakes causes an accident. They can point to their manual that says the owner was over the limits.
Legally, the authorities can always get you for related issues such as driving too fast for conditions, unsafe loading...lots of gotchas if they for some reason decide you were pulling too much trailer.
The Forest River divisions that built popup campers, Palomino, Rockwood/Flagstaff, Coachmen etc, would rate the GVW of them at 2999 lbs when they shipped then to states that had a 3000 lb and above requirement for electric brakes. They have done this for years. This was done so they did not have to 8bcur the cost of providing them.
