Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
You will get no chastisement from this quarter. I agree, an auxiliary braking system just might be a good idea, but if it was absolutely necessary for "safety", why isn't it required by law in most states? Why is it that such systems are not tested by any of the major testing organizations? Why is it that there are no performance standards set by any governmental agency? Why is it that the industry as a whole can make any claims they want, with absolutely no regulation? Why is it that the makers of such systems feel it needful to publish "lists of towing laws" that are known to be inaccurate, if not filled with blatant lies?
If I ever do buy such a system, it will be a ReadyBrake. It is simple, and it works.
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!"
mowermech wrote: "most states require brakes if the car is over 3000.lbs"
This is simply NOT true!
It is true for trailers, but the legal definition of a "trailer" in many states does NOT include towed motor vehicles.
Come to think of it, it isn't even totally true for trailers! Some states require brakes on any trailer over 1500 lbs. UNLADEN weight, and some require brakes on any trailer over 3000 lbs. GROSS weight, and some have a performance standard where you must be able to stop the rig from a certain speed (often 20 MPH) in a certain number of feet (often 40 or 45 feet) on a fairly level clean hard surface. What does the law say in YOUR state?
But, that doesn't change the fact that an auxiliary braking system on a dolly-towed vehicle would be a bad idea. Having brakes on the dolly is adequate.
On a side note, where TRAILER brakes are required, it is often specified that there must be brakes on ALL wheels of the trailer. A motor vehicle on a dolly is not a "trailer", either.
x2
2004 National Tropi-Cal T-350, Class A, Triple slide, 330 HP Cat DP. 2006 Dodge Dakota 4x4 or
2002 Harley FLSTF Fat Boy on a Trailer or
2004 Polaris Quad on the Trailer
Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
You will get no chastisement from this quarter. I agree, an auxiliary braking system just might be a good idea, but if it was absolutely necessary for "safety", why isn't it required by law in most states? Why is it that such systems are not tested by any of the major testing organizations? Why is it that there are no performance standards set by any governmental agency? Why is it that the industry as a whole can make any claims they want, with absolutely no regulation? Why is it that the makers of such systems feel it needful to publish "lists of towing laws" that are known to be inaccurate, if not filled with blatant lies?
If I ever do buy such a system, it will be a ReadyBrake. It is simple, and it works.
I was going to add why is it that the companies that make the brake systems are alound to falsely claim on their websites that the systems are required by law, but I had neglected to read to the bottom and see you covered that. That is what irriates me the most about these things. If you want one buy one, but don't lie on your webpage.
I haven't checked in quite a while but I few yeas ago I researched the laws in a bunch of States where people on here were claiming the brake systems were required in their states. I think I found one state that specifically required aux brakes on a towed motor vehicle. If my memory is correct it was Virgina but it had to be of a certain weight combination. Most all other states, including California, uses the performance chart standard like you described earlier.
Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
And what will stop your dolly and car is it were to become disconnected and continue rolling down the highway? I guess whatever it runs into first. Ever heard of a Breakaway system for trailers and dolly's? I wonder why they install if not to prevent a tragedy?
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
2004 Honda Pilot w/SMI Air Force One Brake Sys.
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 20' Enclosed Car Trailer
Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
And what will stop your dolly and car is it were to become disconnected and continue rolling down the highway? I guess whatever it runs into first. Ever heard of a Breakaway system for trailers and dolly's? I wonder why they install if not to prevent a tragedy?
Or why they don't. Good question, I would imagine the heavy chains and safety straps attached to it, as well as the Dolly tongue trenching into the pavement. Pretty much the same thing that stops any towed vehicle. And what stops it if the breakaway fails? Should I install a breakaway for the breakaway? Jeez, the MH brakes could fail too then what? Maybe I should sell it and stay home. Safer that way. Lions Tigers and Bears, Oh my.
Effy wrote: Jeez, the MH brakes could fail too then what?
Yep, had it happen. New master cylinder and new fluid fixed that. Worse part was that it failed in Texas, and repair shop there found nothing, and then started working on its own. Drove it all the way back to NYS with no problems, until I pulled in my driveway (talk about being blessed!!!). Thought I was going straight thru the house but got it stopped! My local mechanic found the problem, which is good cause he usually cuts me a good deal. By the way, brake fluid should be flushed now and then!!! It starts absorbing moisture and deteriorating the minute you open than new sealed can!!!
Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
And what will stop your dolly and car is it were to become disconnected and continue rolling down the highway? I guess whatever it runs into first. Ever heard of a Breakaway system for trailers and dolly's? I wonder why they install if not to prevent a tragedy?
Or why they don't. Good question, I would imagine the heavy chains and safety straps attached to it, as well as the Dolly tongue trenching into the pavement. Pretty much the same thing that stops any towed vehicle. And what stops it if the breakaway fails? Should I install a breakaway for the breakaway? Jeez, the MH brakes could fail too then what? Maybe I should sell it and stay home. Safer that way. Lions Tigers and Bears, Oh my.
I guess you have never heard of trailers, boats on trailers breaking loose and careening down the highway, only to run into a person, car or building causing severe injury or death? Even with safety chains, etc. Ever heard of "Murphy's Law"?
Effy wrote: At the risk of being chastised to no end, My dolly does not have brakes. It just worked out that way. But our coach is only 16k# on a 26k# chassis pulling a car under 3k#. The brakes on the coach are more than adequate. But before several of you take up your pitchforks and torches and storm my doors, I would note that I think brakes are a good idea. Sure I could stop shorter. But in it's current state I can still throw the entire contents of my coach to the front if I wanted to hit the brakes hard enough. And I bet dollars to doughnuts my coach fully loaded with car in tow can stop much faster then the majority of larger gassers and any DP without a toad. So before you come after me make sure your stop distance is shorter than mine. Good idea? Sure. Necessary in all situations? No. There is a reason they make and sell dolly's without brakes.
Im in agreeing with you. Mine is at 18000 lbs, and I can stop with my Saturn SW2 4-down which is around 2400 lbs with no problems at all. What I might say is, yes it is a good idea, but not a must in my view. My set up drives much better with the car in tow anyway. Less sway.....lol
Offline
