JUrban
Delaware
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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Seems a bit retarded to me to spend the kind of money an RV costs and then refuse to use something that might keep you out of a crash. Of course, you could really bet the farm and not even bother with the insurance.
Me, I'm going to give myself all advantages I can, and also pay for insurance in case things really go south. I just hope I don't end up anywhere near you gamblers.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
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Jeffe
El Paso, TX
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Joined: 06/18/2004
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Ace1001 wrote:I'm towing a Grand Cherokee without brakes. Hear a lot about insurance companies not covering accidents if you don't have auxillary brakes on tow vehicle. If that is the case, why don't they make it clear in their policies. Also, have not heard of any states aggressively enforcing any laws regarding same. Is their actual experience out there that would suggest this is a bad practice? I bet there are a lot of folks towing without.
...and, where did you hear this "Hear a lot about insurance companies not covering accidents if you don't have auxillary brakes on tow vehicle." ?
2002 Winnebago Journey DL - 39QD
330 Cat with 6 Speed Allison
Toad: 2006 Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 Hemi
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SemperFiCop
USA
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Joined: 10/19/2007
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Safety First!
Regardless of any Law,
You can Never be Too Safe
by using an auxiliary braking system... 
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I won't speak of legalities or of insurance policies I'm going to talk PHYSICS
E=MC^2 STUFF.. In fact that is one of the very formulas I use in this
Energy = mass times velocity squared FORCE = weight times friction
Weight = mass times gravity (NOTE I'm greatly simplifying this)
Now: For any given stretch of pavement at any given point in time Friction factors and gravity factors are identical for all vehicles, Don't matter if it's a motor cycle or a 18 wheeler with 160,000 pounds on the scales
Weight and mass thus cancel out, and the ONLY factor that determines how long it takes you to skid to a stop is speed (Which you note is squared) So at 20 MPH you skid, about 22 feet.
But if you put a towed on the back of a motor home without brakes, then not all wheels lock... Think of how long it would take my brother to stop his steel hauler if the trailer brakes did not work and all he had was the tractor brakes.
Ok, that's a bit extreme but... They tell me it can add as much as 30% to your stopping distance.. so 22 feet at 20 MPH and 88 feet at 40 MPH becomes 28 feet and over 51 feet.
So, what does 11 feet mean?
Well, considering how close people follow each other it can make the difference between "WOW, that was close" and OH (*&(*@#$@#< Do you know how much this tow is gonna cost us?
So.... Put brakes on that jeep PLEASE. M&G for a Diesel pusher or US-Gear Unified Brake Decelerator for any motor home.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Ace1001
Heber Springs, AR 72543
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Joined: 04/28/2008
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I have never read about an insurance company denying coverage, but have had individuals claim that this would be the case. I, also believe that those same individuals were convinced that auxillary brakes were critical. I'm not convinced that this is the case. I would put my reflexes against the truckers and the stopping power of my rig against theirs anyday. I understand that opinions differ, and I'm not trying to be obnoxious like the guy who claims I'm retarded.
2003 National Islander
Country Coach Chassis, 400 hp Cummins, drives and rides like a dream
Starting retirement this year.
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MS Bowhunter
Collierville TN
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Joined: 10/27/2006
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People will spend $1000 all day long for more HP,torque an pulling power. But stopping is much more important and so often overlooked! Spend a little $$ to improve braking performance.
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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Joined: 04/09/2005
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Ace1001.....Your decision......If I was towing a Saturn, Honda CRV or a Suzuki, I might skip the brakes, but you're towing a pretty good size vehicle. I think if you check your owner's manual it will recommend brakes on anything over a specified weight.
Are the engineers and motor home companies over cautious....yes...because everyone sues them when they (everyone) do something stupid.
You're coach will bring your Grand Cherokee to a stop with no problem, but in a panic stop, your coach is going to take longer to stop than it would without the Jeep.....probably another 30-50 feet depending on the speed.
You just might need that 30-50 feet to avoid rear ending someone. The other issue is descending a step grade...you could easily overheat your brakes if the towed gets pushing to hard on the back of you.
...
* This post was
edited 05/17/08 12:54am by Diplomat Don *
Don & Mary 
2005 Monaco Diplomat 36SKT
400 Cummins 
2007 Dodge Dakota 4WD
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Johng
Gilbert, AZ, USA
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Joined: 08/23/2002
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Would not leave home without my BB.
Shouldn't tow anything with a good aux braking system.
Happy RVing
John and Judy 
US Air Force - Retired
05 Beaver Santiam 40DST
08 Malibu Toad/Brake Buddy
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Daveinet
il
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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Your coach brakes are designed to stop a specific amount of weight. If your toad, less your ccc is less than that amount, then you should be OK. At some point the percentage increase that the toad adds, compared to the weight of the motorhome is not significant. However I don't know that you fall into that category. The GC weighs in at 4600 LBS (I've weighed mine).
My BIG issue with a toad is if the safety chains attach to the toad frame. That is difficult, but possible with a GC.
Dave
FMCA F298817
'83 Revcon Prince 31' FWD
502 w/Thorley's & Magnaflows,
Howell/Edelbrock MPFI, Koni FSD,
Class A built for gear heads
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full-timer
Where we park it, USA
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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I was in an accident 10 years ago,rear ended a vechile my towed didn't have auxillary brakes. The state police or my insurance company didn't asked or checked to see if the towed had the auxillary brakes.
Joe
An Indian and a Gypsy
Joe and Nancy
2002 34 foot Georgetown double slide Ford V-10
towing 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
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