|
04-21-2021, 08:16 AM
|
#1
|
Established Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Garner Lake
Posts: 29
M.O.C. #19245
|
Braked / Unbraked Towing Capacity....??
At the risk of contributing to the never ending discussions on tow vehicle capacities, I thought I'd pass on something interesting.
Had a conversation with a retired co-owner of a car dealership awhile back. The topic of RVing and tow vehicles came up. He told me that there is such a specification called "Braked Towing Capacity" as well as "Unbraked Towing Capacity" for every vehicle rated to tow something. It is a subset of the GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating).
"Braked Towing Capacity" is the towing capacity of the tow vehicle if it is towing a trailer that has fully functioning brakes. (Not 100% sure how they define "fully functioning".)
"Unbraked Towing Capacity" is the towing capacity of the tow vehicle if it towing a trailer that does not have brakes or the brakes on it have failed.
Has anyone else ever heard of these ratings? The retired dealer owner said that these braked/unbraked ratings are not usually made public knowledge. If a fellow had an accident while towing, would the authorities or insurance companies use these ratings?
Or..........Was the fellow blowing smoke up my @#$?
__________________
Kevin & Yolanda Maksymyk
2009 Volvo 730 Custom RV Hauler & 2013 SmartCar
2017 Montana 3790rd
|
|
|
04-21-2021, 10:06 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 4,081
M.O.C. #20477
|
Kevin,
Have heard of it but not seen charts. Seems like common sense. If I remember right the heaviest trailer in the non brake category is in the 2000 lb range. It doesn't come anywhere near a consideration for our rigs.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
04-21-2021, 01:06 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
|
never heard of it.
|
|
|
04-21-2021, 06:25 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,359
M.O.C. #6433
|
I had never heard of it. But it is a real thing. Google it.
One example;
https://www.kbb.com/what-is/towing-capacity/
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
|
|
|
04-21-2021, 08:23 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
|
I've heard of weight limits for trailers that do not have brakes. It is a law moreso than a rating for the tow vehicle.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
|
|
|
05-12-2021, 07:44 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobelville
Posts: 2,128
M.O.C. #6650
|
Brakes properly working is the key. However the operator/driver, is the real key. I've been around Trucks, big and small my entire life. I'm also a retired over the Road Truck driver. I have driven most all sizes of Trucks, transported many different loads, also heavy oversized construction equipment. I'm not an expert, but, I can and have safely ran a million miles+, no accidents. Never operate a truck without good brakes, on the trailer also. I really believe ALL 5th wheels should have disk brakes, we have had disk brakes installed on two of our 5th wheels. If I was to order a 5th wheel I would order the disk brakes option, on any trailer 40' long. Just my opinion.
Happy Trails.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|