MPond wrote: But if you ask any of the auxillary brake manufacturers, they'll tell you that California & Montana require brakes on the toad.
For example: BrakeBuddy.com implies that anything over 1,500 lbs in California, and over 3,000 lbs in Montana requires Aux. brakes.
Roadmaster Braking Laws shows a similar map with the same towing laws - 1,500 lbs for California and 3,000 lbs for Montana.
Both of these sites (like many others out there) neglect to tell you that these are Trailer towing laws, not vehicle towing laws.
I'm not advocating that anyone tow without toad brakes; I'm simply advocating that we base these discussions on accurate information.
Many of us have repeatedly pointed out that these "lists of towing laws" are often inaccurate, and/or biased in favor of the sponsor.
I think it is also worthy of note that some states (like Montana) specify GVWR in their trailer towing laws, and some states (possibly like California, I'm not entirely sure) specify unladen weight!
Trying to get FACTS can be interesting, for sure!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
paulcardoza wrote: If you were selling aux-braking devices, what would you say? ;-)
MPond wrote:
But if you ask any of the auxillary brake manufacturers, they'll tell you that California & Montana require brakes on the toad.
If I were selling ANYTHING, I would be honest and factual, to the best of my knowledge and ability!
Long ago and far away, I sold lawn and garden equipment and golf carts!
* This post was
edited 02/24/12 10:05am by mowermech *
No, most states have definitions of a trailer and no definition of a towed motor vehicle. Some have a towed motor vehicle under the statutes that cover wreckers.
A slick lawyer will tear you to pieces if he reads this after finding a client that was injured when they run into your RV while you are towing.
Why not do what I did and install a junkyard cruise control motor on the Jeep? It will only cost about $35 and 4 hours of your time. The CC motor pulls the cable to the floor, and applies the power brakes on the Jeep. Yes it is helpful to have a gas engine RV to pull the toad, but you can use a vacuum pump if using a Diesel Pusher.
Fred.
We're getting ready to tow a Colorado for the first time and never heard of this. How does this CC work? Does it work on any vehicle?
MPond wrote: But if you ask any of the auxillary brake manufacturers, they'll tell you that California & Montana require brakes on the toad.
For example: BrakeBuddy.com implies that anything over 1,500 lbs in California, and over 3,000 lbs in Montana requires Aux. brakes.
Roadmaster Braking Laws shows a similar map with the same towing laws - 1,500 lbs for California and 3,000 lbs for Montana.
Both of these sites (like many others out there) neglect to tell you that these are Trailer towing laws, not vehicle towing laws.
I'm not advocating that anyone tow without toad brakes; I'm simply advocating that we base these discussions on accurate information.
But ReadyBrake says "Towed Cars: Brakes must be sufficient to stop within a specified distance according to weight, at 20 mph." for California. And "Towed Cars: No laws regarding." ouch - for Montana http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html. But they do tell you that trailers are different.
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