DingerDave
Albuquerque
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We recently purchased a 2002 Forest River Georgetown, V10 Ford with a Roadmaster Sterling. We plan on towing a 2010 HHR that has been fitted with a base plate and wiring package. My question is... Is there a requirement that I have a brake system on the tow vehicle?
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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Joined: 10/09/2011
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That depends on where and when...
There are multiple websites that detail this information.
One is at Roadmaster and another is at Blue Ox.
Some states treat a toad as a trailer and anything over 1500# has to have brakes, some require a break-away system.
We stick with a small coach we can park almost anywhere and bicycles.
I wouldn't tow a real car without it having a braking system.
Good luck
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dog going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
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Dutch_12078
Great Sacandaga Lake, NY
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Regardless of any state laws, the laws of physics say you'll stop quicker with an auxiliary brake system than you will without one. With what you have invested in your Georgetown and your HHR, why would you want to put that and your family at risk by running without the added safety margin? The legality of it should not even be an issue.
Dutch
1995 Coachmen Catalina 322QBXL
F53 chassis, 460 V8, TST TPMS
Quadra Bigfoot EZE Levelers
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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It depends. What "requirement" are you referring to?
The Law? In many states, no. However, some states have a "Performance Requirement", in that you must be able to stop within a certain distance (often 40 or 45 feet) from 20 MPH. If you can, you are legal in that state.
A "requirement" published by the coach manufacturer or the chassis manufacturer?
Quite possibly, yes.
A "moral requirement"? That is entirely up to the individual.
A "fear of litigation" requirement? In the event of an accident, litigation is a possibility.
Some people brag that they have a braking system, but it is set so that it only activates under the most severe panic stop scenarios, so it is pretty much useless 99.999% of the time. (Unless, of course, they make a LOT of panic stops.)
So, is the braking system a "good idea"? IMO, yes. Is it "required by law"? Probably not. Are there a LOT of towed vehicles on the road without them? I'm sure there are! Is there a lot of accidents or incidents attributable to the lack of a braking system? I have never seen any reports that would seem to support such a claim. Is there any testing done by a third party testing organization to verify the claims of the manufacturers of such equipment? Not that I have ever heard of!
Good luck.
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!"
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bartletttraveller
Bartlett, Tennessee
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Joined: 05/13/2005
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According to readybrake the supplier of my towbar
New Mexico State Law says:
Max Vehicle Height: 14'. On designated rural interstates; some exceptions.
Max Vehicle Width: 8 1/2'
Combined Length: 65'
Max Trailer Length: Not Specified. Total maximum combined length of 65 ft.
Max Trailer Width: 8'0"
Max Trailer Height: 14'0"
Motor Home Length: 40'
Two Vehicle Max Length: 65'
Triple Tow Allowed: Yes
Safety Chains Required: Yes
Breakaway Required: Not Stated
Fire Extinguisher: Not Stated
Flares & Signs: Yes
Trailer Brakes Required: 3000 Gross weight requiring brakes.
Towed Cars: Brake hookup required.
Wipers: Not Stated
Max Tow Speed: 75
Ride in 5th Wheel: Not Specified
Ride Pickup Camper:
Ride Travel Trailer: Not Specified.
Weight Limits for Towing without Auxiliary Brakes: 3000lbs.
Maximum Length - RV & Trailer Combo: 65
Jim & Judy
2003 Coachmen Aurora
3380MBS
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gotsmart
Aberdeen, WA
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Joined: 02/20/2012
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What's the likelihood of the OP pulling the toad only in New Mexico? 
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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I think Ford suggests an auxiliary braking system on anything over 1500# being towed. I would think the manufacturer of the chassis knows best what is needed.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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gotsmart
Aberdeen, WA
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2004 E450 owners manual wrote:GCW (Gross Combined Weight) – is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) – is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle. The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Clear as mud.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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bartletttraveller wrote:According to readybrake the supplier of my towbar
New Mexico State Law says:
Max Vehicle Height: 14'. On designated rural interstates; some exceptions.
Max Vehicle Width: 8 1/2'
Combined Length: 65'
Max Trailer Length: Not Specified. Total maximum combined length of 65 ft.
Max Trailer Width: 8'0"
Max Trailer Height: 14'0"
Motor Home Length: 40'
Two Vehicle Max Length: 65'
Triple Tow Allowed: Yes
Safety Chains Required: Yes
Breakaway Required: Not Stated
Fire Extinguisher: Not Stated
Flares & Signs: Yes
Trailer Brakes Required: 3000 Gross weight requiring brakes.
Towed Cars: Brake hookup required.
Wipers: Not Stated
Max Tow Speed: 75
Ride in 5th Wheel: Not Specified
Ride Pickup Camper:
Ride Travel Trailer: Not Specified.
Weight Limits for Towing without Auxiliary Brakes: 3000lbs.
Maximum Length - RV & Trailer Combo: 65
It would be best to check the references to the actual state laws (IF that list gives them, some such lists do, some don't). You just might find that the list is grossly inaccurate!
I find that such lists almost always give inaccurate statements about Montana towing laws.
I don't trust ANY such lists!
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Matt_Colie
Southeast Michigan
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Dave,
I found two of the sites I was referring to:
The Roadmaster page
The BrakeBuddy Page
The Brakebuddy page includes the requirement for a break-away feature.
There are others as well, but these two are the clearest answer to your question.
One thing not covered is that as requirements vary by state and not all states acknowledge a coach as a passenger vehicle and see it as a truck, if inspected, you can be requires to meet that states regulations before being allowed to proceed. That can get real sticky.
Matt
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