Munsee 1
Almost Heaven
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I think a post got lost somewhere?
I was just wondering if it's very common for small PUPs...in
the 2,000 pound range to have brakes on the trailer?
I'm new to PUPs (OK...I know you couldn't guess), but I will
be towing with a Subaru Outback that is rated to tow 2,400 pounds.
Up to 1,000 pounds WITHOUT brakes...but anything over that
weight must have brakes.
Today when I was looking at a Rockwood 1640LTD and asked the salesman
about electric brakes....he looked at me like I had asked him if
he had a left-handed monkey wrench!
Do many people tow small PUPs WITHOUT brakes with a small tow vehicle?
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Shotgun
CA
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you posted it in the -travel trailers- forum
Hunting is not a hobby. It is much more life sustaining than that.
Dale-pilot, Jeanette-co-pilot
Electrician since 1978
2003 30' Sprinter 5er
2001 Dodge CTD
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Munsee 1
Almost Heaven
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To: Shotgun
Thanks!
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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I beleave alot of states have requirements on trailer weight and breaks, it's a shame, the manufactures use the unlaiden weight. I wouldn't want to pull anything over 1,500 lbs in a dodge ram 2500, let alone an Outback. JM2C Bill
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SuperDave178
Tacoma, WA
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The Sub would be seriously overloaded without brakes on the 2,000 pound PUP. Considering the Gross weight of your 2k pound PUP, the trailer begins to approach the weight of the Sub ESPECIALLY towing your trailer fully loaded with water and gear. you'd not only be exceeding the weight limit but going far beyond it.
SD
Live every day as though it were your last; someday you'll be right.
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Unfortunately is more common than I would like to not have brakes on PU's. Dealers skimp to drop the cost and/or just don't realize that any vehicle that tows a trailer that brings the total weight to more than the GVWR of the vehicle NEED brakes.
As Ford says in their towing guide "The vehicle brakes are designed for stopping the vehicle at it's GVWR, not the GCWR".
I consider myself lucky to live in NYS where anything over 1000 pounds has to have working brakes to pass inspection and get registered.
And I agree with Dave whole heartedly that the Subaru's requirement for brakes on anything over 1000 pounds is correct.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Check with dealer. I wanted a small cargo trailer for wifes scooter. All we saw came with no brakes. I asked if it was an option, and sure enough. So a few weeks later we got our new trailer WITH BRAKES. Might be worth asking.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Lovely German Shepherd.
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2003 Wanderer 187TB Toybox (3620# UVW, 4800# loaded)
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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We towed an 1800-lb PUP w/o trailer brakes, and had much larger TVs (Chrysler minivan and later a Ford Explorer). Our dealer told us the PUP didn't need brakes, and we believed him. For the most part, it went fine, though we fortunately never had to make any panic stops. When we took the PUP into the mountains, though, there were some times I REALLY wished we had them.
The Outback is enough smaller that I would strongly recommend getting trailer brakes. Stand your ground with the dealer.
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SuperDave178
Tacoma, WA
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HEADS UP!
Automotive and RV salespeople ARE NOT generally knowledgeable about towing. Their interest is SALES!  Go figure.
SD
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Munsee 1
Almost Heaven
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SuperDave178 ...the unit dry weight of the trailer is 1353 pounds....but the
GVWR weight would be about 2200 fully loaded (which it wouldn't be).
The weight of the Subaru Outback is about 3350 pounds....the 2003 has a towing limit of 2400 pounds. The new Outback has a towing limit of 2700 pounds with the 4 cyl. (2.5 ltr) and 3000 pounds with a 6 cyl. (3.0 ltr)
By the way, the Rockwood brochure has listed under LTD Popular Extras ELECTRIC BRAKES!
Also by the way. The Rockwood 1640 LTD is really a nice looking PUP...but
I don't have much confidence in the dealer now. :-(
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