Towed vehicle enforcement

[Robert Mielenz]

Has anyone been cited for not having a braking system on their towed vehicle? I am interested if the laws requiring a brake system on  your towed vehicle are being enforced.

[Roy C Tyler]

I would suspect that very, very few people do NOT have a braking system on their towed vehicle. It is not the cost of a citation, it is the cost of damage to your vehicle if something happens.  I have had a receiver break at the point where the pin goes through.  It can be a very tense moment, believe me.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Haven't been stopped but have heard both NM and British Columbia can be real tough on non brake system toads. It doesn't get towed an inch further. IMHO the investment in the system is well worth it.

[William Jordan]

I suspect nobody "checks" until the crash investigation. I have never been stopped or even asked about it , and I do have brakes on my dolly. For that mater, a couple of years ago when I asked at a couple 4 down installers , they gave me a price and said even though it was required by law (in this state based on weight)they had many that went without. I think you'd be surprised how many people tow without brakes on their towed vehicle. Not smart or legal but...

[Joel Ashley]

...but certainly scary for the rest of us sharing the road with them.

[Keith Oliver]

Check the fine print in your insurance contract.  There will be something there indicating that the insurance is valid only if the vehicle is compliant with all laws governing its equipment and it use.  Those laws, in connection with brakes on your tow, will be found in your Provincial or State Motor Vehicle Act.  If you have a major loss, your insurer will want to know that your vehicle was fully compliant and may have an investigator ask the tough questions.  If found to be non-compliant, your insurer will have a valid excuse to refuse payment.

[Les Brandt]

Never mind the cost of the towed vehicle, what's the cost of a life?

When the towed vehicle comes disconnected, I wonder what those who don't have a brake/break away system in place think will happen.

Personally, I'd have a hard time living with being responsible for the loss of someone's life through my own negligence.

[LaMonte Monnell]

Since this is a post on braking systems, here is a maintenance check!

I test my Brake Buddy out each time I take off on a trip.

During the operational check of the system yesterday the breakaway feature did not work when the pin in the junction box was pulled simulating a disconnected toad.

That means the brakes would not engage on a disconnect from the tow bar. Not a good thing. During trouble shooting I found the circuit was good and got it to work using a screwdriver in the box.

Issue with how the pin installs in the box to open or close the circuit. I ordered a new harness and box yesterday at a costly $75(a bit overpriced but what else is new).

Should fix it so it works correctly.

Remember to check this before heading out if you have the Brake Buddy!

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

Lamonte, I found the same problem with mine a couple of years ago. If you still have your old switch (or even if you don't) find a thin finger nail file and insert it into the port of the trigger a few times. The contacts are held open with that trigger installed and tend to rust and lose continuity. I do this every so often to keep them rust free and test the switch. It works good. Marty

[LaMonte Monnell]

Thanks marty....I still have the old one and will give it a try...thanks