Brakes required?

[Soundguy]

were they making them retrofit trailers that were previously legal? IE.. florida used to only require 1 brake axle on a tandem.. now requires both.. but afaik all the old tandems with 1 brake that were legal at the time of manufacturer are grandfathered in.. kind of like the seat belt thing.. vintage cars that never had em are granfathered and don't have to retrofit them..

soundguy

 

[ModMech]

It is my belief that ANY trailer that causes the tow vehicle's GVW to be exceeded needs brakes on all axles, period, no exceptions.

This allows larger pickups and trucks to pull heavier trailers IF they are otherwise un or lightly loaded and would essentially require brakes on every trailer pulled by small cars that do not have the braking capacity for even a 1,000 lb trailer if the driver is in the seat

 

[Duffster]

It is my belief that ANY trailer that causes the tow vehicle's GVW to be exceeded needs brakes on all axles, period, no exceptions.

This allows larger pickups and trucks to pull heavier trailers IF they are otherwise un or lightly loaded and would essentially require brakes on every trailer pulled by small cars that do not have the braking capacity for even a 1,000 lb trailer if the driver is in the seat

That doesn't really makes sense. One should never be exceeding the tow vehicles GVWR with a trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

That doesn't really makes sense. One should never be exceeding the tow vehicles GVWR with a trailer.

I think what he is saying is the GVWR is that of the truck. For example my F-350 is 11,500 and the truck weighs 7,600 so you could pull a trailer upto 3,900.

The GCWR is 24,000 so I can pull upto a 16,400

Chris

 

[ModMech]

That doesn't really makes sense. One should never be exceeding the tow vehicles GVWR with a trailer.

GVW = GVWR; Gross Vehicle Weight (Rating)

GCVW = GCVWR; Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (rating).

Diamond is 100% correct, the ability to add a 10K trailer to an 8k pickup (GCVW = 18k) does not imply the ability of the towing vehicle to STOP 18k, only that it can pull and control the direction. But, if your 8k pickup weighs 4k empty, then technically you *could* pull a 4k brakeless trailer w/o being overtly dangerous.

OTOH, a typical 4 door sedan with a GVW of 5800# that weighs 3800# empty cannot safely pull even a 2k trailer w/o trailer brakes. The weight of even the driver and a full tank of fuel puts you WAY over the GVW.

That's why, IMO, it should be a HUGE FINE if you exceede the GVW of ANY vehicle in terms of braking capacity.

 

[ultrarunner]

were they making them retrofit trailers that were previously legal? IE.. florida used to only require 1 brake axle on a tandem.. now requires both.. but afaik all the old tandems with 1 brake that were legal at the time of manufacturer are grandfathered in.. kind of like the seat belt thing.. vintage cars that never had em are granfathered and don't have to retrofit them..

soundguy

Highway Patrol told me the same thing when I asked... one of my trailers is rated for #3500 and was built in 1964... before the #3000 requirement for brakes...

I own and restore antique cars... my oldest is 1905 and is legal without any of today's requirements.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd think it would almost have to be that way.

soundguy

 

[FlaDon]

I'd think it would almost have to be that way.

soundguy

Same as only having one taillight. Grandfathered in most cases if before a certain date.

 

[clemsonfor]

You guys in the US have it easy!!!

Here in Europe the limit for no brakes is the lower of 750Kg (1650lbs) or half weight of towing vehicle.

Brakes tend to be overrun - when vehicles brake, trailer pushes against a spring on headstock that applies brakes by cable. Some mechanics in the hubs prevent the brakes being applied when reversing. The maximum allowed on an overrun brake trailer is 3500Kg (7700lbs) - above that it needs powered brakes.

Not only that, but new drivers are allowed a maximum weight of car and trailer of 4250Kg (oldies like me are allowed 8250Kg) on a standard driving license.

J

This is cause you guys over there drive bubble cars. I have seen some of the things that europeans tow with on you tube. These videos were not making fun of the tow vehicle/vs. the load, they were boat videos making fun of the stupid things or no skill that the driver was doing. Ie. can back down, get boat off trailor or onto trailor.

 

[niemeyjt]

This is cause you guys over there drive bubble cars. I have seen some of the things that europeans tow with on you tube. These videos were not making fun of the tow vehicle/vs. the load, they were boat videos making fun of the stupid things or no skill that the driver was doing. Ie. can back down, get boat off trailor or onto trailor.

Possibly - but an F-350 or whatever would also be so limited. In fact, if it weighs 8000lbs - 3600Kg, someone who passes their test tomorrow would only be allowed a 650Kg trailer - and an old fart like me on an old license could only tow 3900Kg (max 7500Kg gross train weight) on a standard license. To get this, as over 3500Kg, I would need powered brakes.

My old Land Rover - a 1960 Series II - with a 77 HP petrol engine - was allowed to tow 4 tons when originally built. My newer Land Rover, a 2000 Discovery with a 140 HP diesel - is limited to 3500Kgs.

Oh, the joys of the EUSSR!

J