Is A Supplemental Braking System Required When Flat Towing A 2012 Chevy Silverado
Updated 05/24/2023 | Published 05/22/2023
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Question:
Is the supplemental braking system needed when flat towing a Chevy Silverado? when using the roadmaster nighthawk?
asked by: Eric V
Expert Reply:
Use of a supplemental braking system is typically required by law (depending on the state) and is well worth the money to ensure that your towed vehicle can stop in the event of a breakaway and to reduce wear and tear on the motorhome. The Roadmaster Nighthawk # RM-676 is a great tow bar, but has no way to activate the brakes in your Silverado.
There are two styles of supplemental braking systems; portable or fixed. Portable systems will typically require a small amount of wiring to be installed in the vehicle to power the unit and will require you to physically install/remove the unit each time. Fixed systems require quite a bit of installation, but will typically be hidden in engine bay and dash and will require no setup after the initial installation.
If you would prefer a portable system then I recommend the Brake Buddy Select 3 Portable Supplemental Braking System # HM39524. This system comes with a remote that will allow you to see when the brakes are being applied in your Silverado and change your braking settings/type while on the go. It also includes a charge line kit to keep the Silverado's battery charged while you tow.
For a fixed system we'll need to know the brake type of the motorhome to ensure the correct system is chosen. For a motorhome with hydraulic brakes you'll want the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System # RM-8700. Since the brake light switch wire on your Silverado isn't useable you'll also need a stop light switch kit in order for the braking system to get the signal that the brake pedal is being depressed. For an adjustable brake pedal you'll need part # RM-751220 and for a non-adjustable brake pedal you'll need part # RM-751421.
For a motorhome with air brakes you'll need the Demco Air Force One Supplemental Braking System for Motor Homes with Air Brakes # SM99243. This system will work off of the motorhome's air brakes so that it only activates the brakes in the Silverado when the brakes are applied in the motorhome and will do so with the same intensity as you place on the brake pedal in the motorhome.
I've attached some review videos below for each system so that you can get a better idea of how each one will operate and give you a bit of an idea of the installation. If you have any other questions or would like help picking out the rest of your flat towing components then just let me know which model your Silverado is (1500, 2500, 3500) and any preferences you have and I'd be happy to assist.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount
- Telescoping - Non-Binding
- Aluminum
- 8000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates
- Stores on RV
- Cables Included
- Roadmaster
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