Braked / Unbraked Towing Capacity....??

[Maks]

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 @#$?

[AZ Traveler]

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.

[richfaa]

never heard of it.

[BB_TX]

I had never heard of it. But it is a real thing. Google it.

One example;
https://www.kbb.com/what-is/towing-capacity/

[Montana Man]

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.

[Delaine and Lindy]

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.