4) Te fourth component is the brak-
ing system. Tere is a lot of opinion on this topic;
let me tell you the facts. Every jurisdiction in North Ameri-
ca has laws around braking including every province and territory in Canada and every state in the USA. And like all good bureaucracies they
each have their own rules. Most are based on weight; some are based on stopping distance. Te weight rating is the maximum vehicle weight allowed before brakes are required. Ironically BC, with all the mountains, has the most relaxed towing laws – 1,800kg (4,000lbs) before brakes are required. Alberta and Washington State are 910kg (2,000lbs) and 1,300kg (3,000lbs) re- spectively. California and Nevada have the most restrictive requirements on the west coast - 682kg (1,500lbs). What that means is every vehicle in
tow that is passing through or staying in those jurisdictions needs a braking sys- tem. A 1,500lb car does not exist; even a Smart Car weighs more! One statement I hear a lot is, “If I’m
legal in the jurisdiction where I live, that makes me legal everywhere” (i.e. I live in BC and my vehicle in tow is less than 4,000lbs, therefore I don’t need brakes anywhere.) Te answer to that is, false. You have to be legal in the jurisdic-
tion you are driving in, the same as applies to seat belt and hands-free laws.
So with that out of the way, what type of braking system should I get? As usual, there are several systems on the market. Te best ones out there are
permanently installed systems that power the vehicle-in-tow’s braking system, i.e. a “soſt pedal”. Tey are hidden and in most cases all you do is turn on a switch, some- times not even that. Tey power up from the motorhome RV plug. Te system I recommend is SMI Air Force One, for diesel pushers with air brakes, or the SMI Stay N Play DUO for gas coaches with hydraulic brakes. Tey are, in my opinion, the most reliable and the easiest to use systems on the market today.
Te second method for towing is a tow dolly, which has one big disadvantage.
It needs to be stored, either at home or on the road and that can be challenging in both places. But they do work and they are a safe and legal way to tow your vehicle. Te other disadvantage is that they are harder and more cumbersome to hook up. Te front tires need to be strapped down to the tow dolly and if a person has limited mobility or does not like to get dirty it becomes tough to do. Te dolly is a trailer and hooks up to the motorhome by way of a ball and coupler. Te dolly also comes with brakes so that part is taken care of, however, you will still need to have a brake controller (to operate the brakes on the dolly) installed in the motorhome. Also, just like flat towing, not all vehicles can be towed on a tow dolly, so again, check your owner’s manual or go online and find out.
Te tow-ability of any vehicle is based on the ability of the transmission to cir-
culate the fluid without the engine running. It is critically important to follow the towing procedures in the owner’s manual exactly, for many miles of problem-free towing. So, to sum it up: Two types of towing - flat or dolly Brakes - yes Best method - flat tow Vehicle tow-ability – owner’s manual or Remco towing online One last thing: Te ability to charge the battery on the vehicle-in-tow is easy and
inexpensive to do. Te braking system, no matter which one is used, will drain the battery. Most coaches have a charge line at the 7-pin plug, which is simple to con- nect to the battery of the vehicle-in-tow. Ten you never have to think about start- ing and idling the vehicle-in-tow to charge up the battery. Or worse, you forgetting to do that and having a dead battery when you arrive at your destination. Next issue: Hitches, weight distributing and anti sway. 4
See us for all your recreational towing needs JUST SOME OF THE MAINTENACE AREAS WE SERVICE
BEARINGS BRAKES
GREASE SEALS HUBS
TIRES
WHEELS AXLES
FENDERS SPRINGS
COUPLERS LIGHTS RV & TRAVEL TRAILERS FARM / HORSE / UTILITY TRAILERS 44467 Yale Rd. W., Chilliwack BC / 1-877-878-5869
info@vehiclesolutions.ca /
www.vehiclesolutions.ca Open Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm, Saturday: 9am-5pm
5th Wheel & Trailer Hookups, Motorhome Tow-Behinds, Towed Car Braking Systems,
Ultra Guard Protection, Rock Guard Protection, All Wiring Needs!
RVT 174 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 25
SAFETY CHAINS JACKS
BATTERIES
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