Are brakes necessary on a towed vehicle?
In an emergency, stopping distance is the critical factor between a close call and a tow truck - or worse. Supplementary brakes take the load off your coach, and by having the coach and the car brake in tandem, significantly less time and distance is required to come to a controlled stop. Supplementary brakes also relieve stress on the tow bar and the vehicle base plates. A panic stop without supplementary brakes is a leading cause of tow system failure. A brake system on the towed vehicle will also reduce the chance of a catastrophic brake failure at the coach as a a result of sustained braking. For example, when you're driving down a steep grade in the mountains.
Aside from safety, 32 states, plus many Canadian provinces, require supplementary brakes if the towed weight exceeds 3,000 pounds. Some motorhome chassis manufacturers will void the warranty if you tow without supplementary brakes. Lastly, adding brakes to the towed vehicle cuts down on everyday wear and tear on the tow bar, the base plates, the frame of the towed vehicle, and the brakes on the motorhome, so all will last longer.
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