How not to trailer

[oil pan 4]

Not a trailer fsil, more like a failure to trailer.

[Fingie]

Here in finland you are only allowed to drive 50mph/80kmh with a trailer.

it's also the upper speed limit for semi-trucks and all cars/vans with a maximum load weight bigger than 3500Kg.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Wow I didn't know the prius didn't have a tow rating.
In the U.S. if the vehicle doesn't have a tow rating here that means you better not tow anything or you better not get caught.

Nope.

"Tow ratings" are the advice of the manufacturer. Not law.

With commercial vehicles it is axle/wheel/tire ratings. This would also apply as a recommendation to private owners. In fact, it's what we've do in this country.

But, as to "law" one will find much that is subject to interpretation dependent on no real process except as above. State by state.

I

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The reason for the euro tow rating versus no US rating is:
Euros do the unthinkable, they actually slow down while towing.
They will put a break controller in a car, unthinkable in the US.
Most if not all of them have to have some kind of trailering class before they can tow.

So in the US everything need to be designed for idiots exceeding the speed limit with no trailer brakes while towing.

Nearly every state has requirements for trailer brakes past a certain weight.

Euro laws regarding travel trailers (no use of weight distribution hitches) and a general "not invented here" syndrome-typical means slightly different chassis design. Very low tongue weight, for instance. In toto and as percentage. The low speed limits are as much consequence as cause.

In the US we can tow far larger trailers at far higher speeds as our method gives greater control. We also tow far greater distances, in general.

.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by gumby79

Old tele
In Europe your insurance coveret the "leagal "trailing accident. In the us you broke the rules accepting full responsibility for your illegal choices and your ins gos up, Of the old man that you bump has a heart attack it could be murder charges. With the same car made for different markets, aka different specifications.
Duse the EU require proof of concept on tow rating?or is it a magic number pulled from a hat like the US used to be?
Can an EU prius pass the SAE J 2807?

Oil pan
How much was that load under the rating , that inspired you to rebuild your trailer with brakes this time.
. If any I'd say the magic rating number from the hat was high by the new standard. I think the SAE J2807 is more to force honesty out of the manufacturer. No more selling a truck with a 5/10,000lbs rating tow package that is only leagal for 1499lbs. Or needs a bigger radiator, trans cooler,etc

J2807 provides cover for funneling Americans into incredibly profitable pickup trucks.

It ignores the majority of vehicles (no rating or only nominal: not tested), and revises use of WD hitches by stretching definitions of what is safe. This, despite throwing out the door more than fifty years verified experience since Bundorf with hundreds of thousands of users and many millions of miles.

Then are unrealistic tests. Davis Dam Grade. Whoopee! One lives in such a place, one is already aware of vehicle shortcomings in this regard. Unrealistic as it (they) do not describe typical American commuter needs. Etc

Nor is their room for aerodynamic trailers. Weight is single consideration. Yet once to cruise speed, weight means little.

For a contractor or rancher already planning use of a pickup, it's sorta okay.

For car owners, worthless and retrograde.

A pickup is pretty well the most dangerous vehicle type by design. Unbalanced and unstable.

In towing, its singular advantage MAY be larger engine coolant systems. For a car with the same engine, one simply climbs the same grade more slowly. Whoopee! Etc.

Around the world is the idea that the tow vehicle should weigh as much or more than the trailer. The TV rear tire contact patch adhesion is at stake. Counterforce to a snaking trailer.

The advent of electronic trailer anti-sway does most of what's needed for occasional towing "stability".

Many vehicles are adequate tow vehicles.

Don't anyone believe that J2807 is done to increase safety. Protection of profits trumps all else.

All this said, someone towing regularly needs to do homework to get best results.

.

[oil pan 4]

Subject to interpretation means you get to defend you actions in court, where you will lose because the system is rigged.
I'm sure the guy in the OP paid what ever ticket the cop cut.
Some times you are better off buying a pickup.

I don't care about larger cooling systems and going faster, we have a whole generation who thinks their pickup can tow 30,000lb, I only care about these idiots being able to stop.
Most of these people don't know anything about needing 5th wheels, and brake controllers and for the load to be properly distributed because they don't show any of that in the advertising.

[gumby79]

Now with the SAE spec they at least sale a complete tow package with components rated at capacity and integrated to cooperate with the rigs ABS . Improving the likelihood that a first timer won't kill me due to ignorance(just plain not knowing any better),to cheep, or thinking there skill is high enough to skip brake. Insted of just the cheapest part on the shelf, as many customers did when I worked for U-Haul . Eg the $100 brake controller is good for 2axle ,not the 4+needed for 30k(thatone is closer to $200) or saying ahha my truck can pull the barn if I could find a stronger chains, I dont need trailer brakes. Or its got a hitch I can hook to anything. No your metro can not tow the car trailer in any way shape or form not even empty(2100lbs 250 tongue weight). Many its just hitch ,drawbar, and ball . No lights, controller, no trans cooler , or any consideration to why the $200 hitch cost $1200 as a factory installation. Had the loacal dealership bring new almost sold trucks in for complete tow package. It's surprising how many corners are cut on a non-towing truck.

[oil pan 4]

I have seen a truck definitely new enough to have ABS slide into the middle of an intersection because the dump body trailer they had loaded up with roof tear off didn't have brakes.

I don't know what the total install cost would be. My brake controller is for up to a 2 axle trailer with lots of features and cost $120. Wiring to a car was kind of a PITA.

That's the problem, the general public doesn't understand what all goes into a properly setup tow rig. Generally people see an empty 2x2 Reese hitch and that's their ticket to tow what ever they want because they saw an advertisement showing a truck that looked like what they have pulling a insane load up ludicrous grade.

I'm more worried about stopping. I guess that's how you know you are getting old.

[redpoint5]

Yeah, the brake controller might be reasonably priced, but how much are the brakes?

My Harbor Freight 4' x 8' folding trailer cost something like $200. What would it cost to add brakes to it?

Also, there is a difference between regularly hauling roof tear off material for a business, and occasionally hauling a yard of mulch 3 miles. A business can write off the cost of a brake controller, truck, 5th wheel hitch, etc.

[gumby79]

A quic Google said Less than the controller. -71inch-2000lb with brakes $106 . Use 2 brakers 1 for controller 1 for the charge wire(if used to top up the beak-away batery ) and $49.99 for the brake-away battery boxand switch ,(switch can be had for under $10)