Pxr177 Report post Posted January 30, 2012 We have a 2008 Fourwinds 30 ft Class C with the Ford F450 engine. We are considering becoming towers. What should we know, and more importantly, what do we absolutely need to know? We are thinking real small 4 speed manual car of some type. Would this need auxiliary braking? Thanks all Paul Redvers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted January 30, 2012 The State of Texas says if you are towing a car. trailer or dolly that exceeds 4,500 lbs. you must have an auxilliary braking of some sort. Be sure and check with the Mfg. of the manual car to see if it can be towed 4 down. Is there a company that makes base plates for the vehicle you wish to tow. Also check the capacity of your hitch. What type of lighting will you need. Will what you tow exceed to GVW. Hope this helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BillAdams Report post Posted January 30, 2012 Texas is nearly the one State with the highest weight limit before supplemental braking is required. You can look here and you will see that most States require brakes at 3,000 pounds or less. http://www.towshop.com/trailer_supplemental_braking_laws.htm If you can find a car to tow that's under 1500 pounds you are good to tow in all States except NY. That's the long way of stating that if you tow you need a tow brake! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted January 30, 2012 Yup, I would put in order: 1. Determine towing capacity of your motorhome-- it is often NOT related to hitch rating, but to rating of least strong component. 2. Determine the weight of your motorhome when loaded and subtract that from the GCWR (usually on a sticker near the driver's area). The lesser of #1 or #2 determines what weight vehicle you can tow. 3. Shop for a vehicle that fits your needs that can be towed 4 wheels down. Here is an excellent starting place: http://www.fmca.com/...our-wheels-down 4. And if you read your chassis owners manual, I suspect it will state in plain English that the brakes were designed to stop the COACH, not coach and towed vehicle. So, from a practical standpoint, legal standpoint, etc. yes supplemental brakes are an excellent idea. Remember the weight limit at which towed brakes are required is determine by each state you drive in, NOT your home state, so if you plan on traveling, you need to meet the requirements of the state you drive through with the most strict requirements/lowest weight vehicle requiring supplemental brakes. Brett Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
