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Topic: Brakes on a tow dolly (Read 1207 times) previous topic - next topic

Brakes on a tow dolly

Since our current car cannot be towed 4 down, I am investigating obtaining a tow dolly.  In a recent discussion, one person said he had heard that possibly Colorado and one or two other states now required, by state law, tow dollies to have brakes on them. But he did not know if electric brakes were required or if surge brakes were acceptable.

Does anyone know if any of the lower 48 states do in fact require tow dollies to have brakes on them?

If so, are electric brakes required, or do they allow surge brakes?

Thank you very much.

Morris
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #1 –
You may want to connect with Dave Head - he has lot's off Dolly and Four Down experience
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #2 –
Morris,
You can go either way.  Federal law requires states to permit surge brakes on trailers (tow dollys)  from what I understand.  If you search internet you will find lots of arguement over which to use.  Some claim the surge will automatically activate when going down steep hill even when tow vehicle is not applying brakes.  But others say it does not happen, that the spring in the system prevents that.  I use a ReadyBrake surge activated system with toad and have not had any problems.  Think Brett Wolfe uses the same system and has had more experience with it out west in the hills.  I'm on east coast, but still get into some good hills.

Oh, are you in California?  Think they have some very specific towing laws, but not sure.  You might want to check with the CHP too.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #3 –
Quote from: PatC –
Oh, are you in California?  Think they have some very specific towing laws, but not sure.  You might want to check with the CHP too. 

No, our residence is in Oklahoma.  However, we may want to visit portions of CA from time to time. 

I guess one of my concerns is whether I have to know/meet the requirements in all states in which we drive, or know/meet Oklahoma requirements since we are residents in and our vehicles are registered/licensed in Oklahoma.
Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #4 –
Brakes are what is important. I've never heard one mandated over the other. Electric requires a controller and surge brakes are no brainer. I have towed with electric first then went to surge. Most states don't treat a tow dolly as a trailer, so there is no brake requirement at all. If a state requires a plate for it, then trailer laws should apply.
Also, most states allow the lights on the tow dolly itself to suffice, so you don't need additional toad wiring or magnetic aux lights. If its a Mastertow you can get LED tail lights from the company or another site
I know of...
Check Craigslist for used ones near you. Change the bias ply tires to radials, 50#; grease the hubs every 2K.  It will last pretty much forever.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #5 –
ok , brakes on a tow dolly .. well if you ever end up in court resulting from a wreck ,--you will wish that brakes were on your unit . ask a trusted insurance agent . a lawyer will eat your lunch  on this . so no brakes --no wreck -- no problem .  electric  , surge , your choice .
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Brad Metzger –
ok , brakes on a tow dolly .. well if you ever end up in court resulting from a wreck ,--you will wish that brakes were on your unit . ask a trusted insurance agent . a lawyer will eat your lunch  on this . so no brakes --no wreck -- no problem .  electric  , surge , your choice .
In all reality, just how many civil, or criminal, cases like this ever are brought to court?  Have not been able to document one yet, but I am sure that there has had to be one somewhere.  Even the lawyers I know can't document a case.  And even Remco says supplemental brakes are not necessary if your toad, dollied or 4 down, is under 3000 lbs unless required by law.

Having said that, I must qualify that I prefer supplemental brakes on any toad over 2000 lbs, and on any tow dolly.  But that is a personal choice.  Oh, have been in court on other issues, and was once identified, by name, to a federal judge as a attorney representing a involved group.  The attorney who told the federal judge  that, was a well known, big time, Washington DC attorney.  I never identified or represented myself as a attorney.  But the judge got a very big laugh out of it when I told his honor, that I was "just a dumb truck driver" there as a spectator.  No way could I let that judge think I was a attorney and practicing law without a license!!!  And that big time lawyer left that courtroom with his tail between his legs.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #7 –
PatC, Got one for you, consider the case where a bus operator with a fleet of buses, decided to use the 11R24.5 tires w/rims, in place of the 12R22.5 that came on the bus.  Then an accident happened, a hungry under paid lawyer found the bus was never certified for the 11R24.5 tire setup.  well the bus charter owner was guilty due to incorrect equipment, the other facts were not considered, just the wrong tires.

Reason for the tire change was due to cost over the 12R22.5 tires, both tires are same height and weight rated.

I have no experience with the brake issue, but I've seen lawyers in action.
Good luck
Dave
 

Re: Brakes on a tow dolly

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dave M –
PatC, Got one for you, consider the case where a bus operator with a fleet of buses, decided to use the 11R24.5 tires w/rims, in place of the 12R22.5 that came on the bus.  Then an accident happened, a hungry under paid lawyer found the bus was never certified for the 11R24.5 tire setup.  well the bus charter owner was guilty due to incorrect equipment, the other facts were not considered, just the wrong tires.

Reason for the tire change was due to cost over the 12R22.5 tires, both tires are same height and weight rated.

I have no experience with the brake issue, but I've seen lawyers in action.
Good luck
Dave
That kind of thing usually ends up in Federal Court.  When a accident involves a motor carrier (passenger or freight), it usually attracts all kinds of legal attraction.  Often the vehicle is impounded by the state police or highway patrol and inspected by the DOT.  That information is public for the pickings of any attorney.

The tire thing has me thought.  Not much difference except the rim diameter.  And the outer diameter of these two are almost exactly the same.  Even the weight rating is not to different except in the H load range and that is only 200 lbs.  Except for the certification tag, one would thing a expert witness from the manufacturer would have gotten it thrown out.  Maybe that is where they failed.  There are lots of Class 8 tractors running around with tires different than what is on the certification tag.  But I do know that if you make a physical modification to the unit, it is suppose to go back to the manufacturer for re-certification.  We had to do that when ever we extented the length of a fuel tanker.  The original certification tag stayed on and a new re-certification was placed beside it.  But tire size that is the same???  Wow!
1994 U225
build #4514