Trailer Brakes: Choosing The Right Camper Size For Towing

what size camper can I tow with trailer brakes

When it comes to towing a camper, it's important to consider the weight of your vehicle, the speed you'll be travelling at, and the braking system you have in place. The braking system is particularly important as it ensures you have full control over the trailer, preventing it from swinging from side to side and causing a danger to other road users.

The weight of your vehicle won't dictate whether you need brakes, but it will correlate with the maximum pull weight allowed without them. Brakes are generally required for any vehicle and load with a gross weight over 4,000 lbs, but this does vary by state. For example, in California, you'll need brakes if your vehicle weighs over 1,500 lbs, whereas in Alaska, you can pull up to 5,000 lbs without them.

Trailer brakes work in sync with your standard vehicle brakes, so when you brake, the trailer brakes are activated at the same time. This prevents the trailer from crashing into the back of your vehicle and gives you a smoother stop.

While it is possible to tow a camper without trailer brakes, it is neither legal nor safe to do so in most states, and it's always best to check the specific requirements for the states you'll be driving through.

Characteristics Values
Braked towing capacity Higher than unbraked towing capacity
Unbraked towing capacity Lower than braked towing capacity
Braked towing capacity definition The amount your tow vehicle can tow if the trailer has its own brakes
Unbraked towing capacity definition The amount your tow vehicle can tow if the trailer does not have brakes
Trailer brakes purpose Trailer brakes help to ensure that you have full control over the trailer that you are pulling
Trailer brakes function Trailer brakes work in sync with your standard vehicle brakes
Trailer brakes benefits Trailer brakes provide brake support when stopping a trailer while towing, reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle’s brake system and create a smoother stop while towing
Trailer brakes types Electric brakes, surge brakes
Trailer brakes requirements Vary from state to state
Trailer brakes requirements examples California: required if the trailer weighs over 1,500 lbs; Florida and Arizona: required if the weight of the trailer is more than 40% of the gross weight of the vehicle; Alaska: no requirement up to 5,000 lbs; Arizona: requirement starting at 3,000 lbs

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Braked vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity

Braked towing capacity refers to the maximum weight a vehicle can tow when the trailer has its own braking system. In this case, the trailer's brakes are connected to the vehicle through a cable. Braked towing capacity is generally higher than unbraked towing capacity.

Unbraked towing capacity, on the other hand, refers to the ability of a vehicle to tow a trailer that does not have its own independent braking system. This means that the trailer relies solely on the vehicle's brakes to stop. Due to the increased demand on the vehicle's braking system, the unbraked towing capacity is usually lower than the braked towing capacity.

The difference between braked and unbraked towing capacity is critical when choosing a vehicle for your towing needs. It is essential to stay within the limits specified by the vehicle manufacturer to ensure safety and avoid damage to your vehicle. The braked and unbraked towing capacities can be found in the owner's manual, on the vehicle's VIN plate, or on the manufacturer's website.

Additionally, it is important to note that regulations regarding trailer brakes vary by state or country. In some states, trailers over a certain weight (e.g., 1000 lbs) are required to have brakes, while other states have higher thresholds. Similarly, the maximum weight that can be towed behind a car varies, with a limit of 3,500 kg in the UK, for example.

When towing, it is crucial to prioritize safety. Trailer brakes assist in stopping the trailer and reduce the wear and tear on your vehicle's braking system. They also help maintain control, especially when going downhill or in challenging conditions.

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Trailer Hitch Classes

Receiver hitches are divided into five classes, depending on their towing capacity and receiver tube size. The higher the class number, the higher the capacity and the larger the receiver tube. While it is helpful to distinguish between the various tow hitch classes, it is important to note that most receiver hitches are made vehicle-specific. In other words, not all five classes are available for each vehicle.

Class 1 Hitches

Class 1 trailer hitches are generally designed for passenger cars and small crossovers. They are equipped with a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver tube opening or sometimes a fixed tongue to directly mount a trailer ball instead of a ball mount. Most class 1 hitches are rated to tow trailers up to 2,000 lbs.

Class 2 Hitches

Class 2 trailer hitches have a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver tube opening and are used for lightweight towing applications. Most class 2 hitches are able to tow up to 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight. Class 2 hitches are typically found on full-size sedans, minivans and crossovers but can also be found on small SUVs and even pickup trucks.

Class 3 Hitches

The class 3 trailer hitch is the most common receiver hitch class installed on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. If your truck is equipped with a towing prep package, it probably has a class 3 hitch. Class 3 hitches are equipped with a 2" x 2" receiver tube opening and typically have a weight-carrying capacity of up to 8,000 lbs gross trailer weight. Some class 3 hitches can also be used in combination with a weight distribution hitch for a towing capacity as high as 12,000 lbs.

Class 4 Hitches

Class 4 trailer hitches are commonly mounted on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. They feature a 2" x 2" receiver tube opening and generally have a weight-carrying capacity of up to 10,000 lbs gross trailer weight. Most class 4 hitches can also utilise a weight distribution hitch for ratings as high as 12,000 lbs.

Class 5 Hitches

Class 5 trailer hitches have the highest weight ratings of the receiver hitch classes, offering as much as 20,000 lbs gross trailer weight. They are typically used on full-size pickups and commercial trucks.

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Trailer Brake Requirements by State

The requirements for trailer brakes vary from state to state in the US. While some states require brakes on trailers exceeding a certain weight, others have no specific requirements regarding trailer brakes. Here is a list of trailer brake requirements for some states:

  • Kentucky: Kentucky law does not mandate brakes on passenger car trailers, regardless of weight. However, vehicles must be able to stop within the specified legal limits.
  • Northwest Territories: Brakes are required if the trailer's weight exceeds 3,000 lbs.
  • Prince Edward Island: Trailers with a gross weight between 3,000 and 6,500 lbs must have brakes on at least two wheels. Trailers weighing more than 6,500 lbs must have brakes on each wheel, along with a breakaway switch.
  • District of Columbia: Trailers weighing more than 3,000 lbs must be equipped with brakes that can be controlled by the driver of the towing vehicle.
  • California: Trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs or more must have brakes.
  • Florida: Similar to California, trailers weighing 3,000 lbs or more are required to have brakes.
  • Texas: In Texas, trailers weighing over 4,500 lbs need to have brakes.
  • New York: For this state, the requirement is that trailers with a gross weight of 5,000 lbs or more must be equipped with brakes.
  • Washington: Trailers with a gross weight of 1,500 lbs or more are required to have brakes.
  • Oregon: Similar to Washington, Oregon requires trailers weighing 1,500 lbs or more to have brakes.

It is important to check with your local DMV or the DMV of the specific state you plan to tow in to ensure you comply with their trailer brake regulations. These regulations are essential for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road.

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Weight of Your Vehicle

The weight of your vehicle is a crucial factor in determining whether you need trailer brakes and how much you can tow safely. Here are some key points to consider regarding the weight of your vehicle:

  • The weight of your vehicle will not directly dictate whether you need trailer brakes, but it will determine the maximum pull weight allowed without brakes. In some states, such as Florida and Arizona, a braking system is required if the trailer's weight exceeds 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle, including passengers and cargo.
  • The weight of your vehicle also comes into play when determining the overall towing capacity. The towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely pull, and it depends on the vehicle's configuration, the weight it's carrying, and how you distribute the load.
  • To calculate your vehicle's towing capacity, you need to know the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of both the towing vehicle and the trailer, as well as the curb weight (weight of the vehicle itself with fluids and a full tank of gas). By subtracting the curb weight from the GCWR, you get the vehicle's towing capacity.
  • It's important to stay below 10% of the maximum towing capacity to account for miscalculations and shifting loads. Exceeding the towing capacity can compromise safety and damage your vehicle.
  • When it comes to weight distribution, tongue weight (the force pushing down on the trailer hitch) is also important. It can vary based on how the load is distributed within the trailer.
  • In addition to state regulations, practical considerations come into play. While you may legally tow a heavy trailer without trailer brakes, it is neither safe nor sensible to do so. Trailer brakes provide much-needed braking support and help reduce wear and tear on your vehicle's brake system.

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Speed of Your Vehicle

The speed of your vehicle is a critical factor when towing a trailer. The laws regarding trailer brakes vary across different states and provinces in the US and Canada. While some states mandate trailer brakes for trailers exceeding a certain weight, others focus on the speed of the towing vehicle.

For example, California requires trailer brakes for trailers with a gross weight exceeding 1,500 lbs. Additionally, California mandates that trailers manufactured after 1945 and operated at speeds above 20 mph must have brakes. This rule ensures that trailers can be safely controlled and stopped, even at higher speeds.

In contrast, Kentucky's law does not specifically require brakes on passenger car trailers, regardless of weight. Instead, the law states that vehicles, singularly or in combination, must be able to stop within the specified distance by statute. This regulation ensures that vehicles can stop safely, regardless of their speed.

Another example is the District of Columbia, which requires trailers weighing at least 3,000 lbs to have brakes and that any vehicle combination must be able to stop within 40 feet when travelling at 20 mph. This regulation ensures that vehicles can safely reduce their speed and come to a complete stop, even when towing a heavy trailer.

It is important to note that the speed of your vehicle is just one factor in determining the need for trailer brakes. Other factors include the weight of the trailer, the number of wheels, and the vehicle-to-trailer weight ratio. These factors vary from state to state, so it is essential to check the specific laws in your area before towing a trailer.

Frequently asked questions

The braked towing capacity is the amount your tow vehicle can tow if the trailer has its own brakes and is higher than the unbraked towing capacity.

Trailer brakes help ensure that you have full control over the trailer that you are pulling. This means that you have to worry less about it swinging from side to side, which can cause a danger to other road users. Trailer brakes also help to reduce wear and tear on your vehicle's brake system and create a smoother stop while towing.

The amount you can tow without trailer brakes varies from state to state. Other factors include the weight and speed of your vehicle, the number of people in your vehicle, and the age of your trailer.

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