Be safe with a supplemental breaking system on towed vehicle
There is a lot of discussion and confusion on RV forums regarding the need for a supplemental braking system on a towed vehicle. Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces have their own laws on the requirement for brakes on a towed trailer. The word trailer also applies to a vehicle being towed behind a motorhome. These laws are normally based on the amount of weight being towed. Add to this your insurance company may not cover you in the event of an accident involving a trailer with no braking system. And you can possibly void the chassis manufacturer warranty if you tow over a certain amount of weight without a supplemental braking system. But the biggest factor regarding supplemental brake systems is Safety, Safety, Safety!
I, for one, almost learned this the hard way. A close call, while towing a vehicle without a brake system, through a major city during rush hour suddenly educated me on how important it is. You do not want to be involved in a lawsuit, insurance related problem, or endangering other people. I can't stress enough, the most IMPORTANT reason for a braking system on a towed vehicle is that it SAFELY reduces the stopping distance and helps to protect you, your loved ones and the safety of others. -- Mark Polk, RV Education 101
I, for one, almost learned this the hard way. A close call, while towing a vehicle without a brake system, through a major city during rush hour suddenly educated me on how important it is. You do not want to be involved in a lawsuit, insurance related problem, or endangering other people. I can't stress enough, the most IMPORTANT reason for a braking system on a towed vehicle is that it SAFELY reduces the stopping distance and helps to protect you, your loved ones and the safety of others. -- Mark Polk, RV Education 101
3 Comments:
We love our Brake Buddy. We just recently upgraded to a 35' Class A from a 24' Class C. We tow a Honda Civic and while I am a cautious driver I believe it has kept us out of at least two accidents.
By Anonymous, at 5:15 AM
I had an exhaust brake installed on our Dodge with a Cummins diesel in it. It made all the difference in the world going south across the WV Turnpike & other long grades. We pull a 37' 5th wheel. Most of the time I just drop one gear & never have to touch the service brakes.
By Anonymous, at 12:31 PM
I installed a very inexpensive exhaust brake on my Ford F250 using the engine's Exhaust Back Pressure Valve (EBPV). This is a butterfly type valve located on the outlet of the turbocharger, between the turbine and the downpipe. It is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and activated by engine oil pressure. It's purpose is to decrease engine warm up time in cold weather by restricting exhaust flow out of the engine. It can be very easily and very inexpensively converted into an engine exhaust brake.
This will save some ware-in-tear on the truck and trailer brakes on down hill runs plus more in important, a safer rig. MJ, San Diego
By Anonymous, at 12:29 PM
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