ttoldcarbuff
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64 Shasta 1500
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Post by ttoldcarbuff on Feb 15, 2015 10:48:53 GMT -8
Just came home from a beautiful camping trip to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Florida, We were trying to get out of the cold in Chicago. The gentleman next to us informed me I needed to have a Break a way on my camper in order to vacation in many states. I have a '64 Shasta 1500 with electric brakes and pull it with a 2015 Tacoma. Do I need the Break a way? What states require them? Anyone help me out?
Mark
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Feb 15, 2015 12:18:46 GMT -8
Here's AA's list of what each state requires for brakes. drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-brakes/And some more info: www.actiondonation.org/articles/state-by-state-rv-and-towing-laws.htmlBut, if your vehicle's equipment meets the legal requirements of the state it is registered in, you should be legal in all states. But don't take my word for that, even though a law enforcement officer told me that. There are different laws which pertain to aspects other than equipment that you do have to follow in each state. And no matter what state you are in, if you cause an accident due to improper equipment, you are responsible. Here is another site with laws and the cool thing about this one is it lists which states it is actually legal to ride in a TT, RV or pickup camper while it is towed. Hey, NC, your spouse can ride while you tow, just like Lucy and Desi  www.rvsafely.com/rvroadlaws.htm |
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Feb 15, 2015 14:13:32 GMT -8
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Post by bigbill on Feb 15, 2015 16:29:43 GMT -8
A battery is required on the trailer the breakaway can't use tow vehicle because it would be disconnected if trailer broke loose causing brakes to release. It can be any type battery capable of supplying voltage to bring trailer a complete stop.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 3, 2015 19:39:16 GMT -8
The main reason for the break away activator is that if you do lose the trailer it will hopefully stop before running over or into innocent people, cars or other property. I pity the guy behind you who is texting and tailgating though LOL. I agree that this is a good safety device to have. I think it was on this forum that I heard a story where pedestrians on a sidewalk were killed by a runaway trailer.
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Mar 4, 2015 4:01:47 GMT -8
In concept, I like the idea of having this, our Fan has brakes, and I do intend to install a new one of these. BUT...I wonder, have any of you actually had a trailer break away from TV? Or has anyone witnessed it happening? I just can't imagine it ending with good results. I picture the 2 wheeled trailer going in circles or something! Maybe there's a you tube vid, I think I'll look.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 4, 2015 7:53:58 GMT -8
In concept, I like the idea of having this, our Fan has brakes, and I do intend to install a new one of these. BUT...I wonder, have any of you actually had a trailer break away from TV? Or has anyone witnessed it happening? I just can't imagine it ending with good results. I picture the 2 wheeled trailer going in circles or something! Maybe there's a you tube vid, I think I'll look. Way back in the 1960's I worked at Don Sanderson Ford, located in Glendale, AZ. We had a single axle "elevated" car trailer that was used by the sales department to highlight new models on the sales lot. The lot boy was moving it around the 17 acre dealership. You guessed it, no reason to hook up the safety chains, because he was only going a short way. He took a short cut through the Service Dept. and as he drove over the speed bumps, the empty trailer became a loose projectile, freely rolling down the service drive, between "brand in cars". We all stood in shock, waiting helplessly for the impending train wreck. Some how, it went between cars, and rolled to a harmless stop about 100 yards away, but I still remember that scary incident.
Safety chains, are a good thing, but ONLY if they are used properly. The same thing for a breakway system, it WON'T WORK unless the user hooks it up. As is often said YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID!
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Post by bigbill on Mar 4, 2015 10:02:02 GMT -8
Many years ago I had a trailer ball shear into the break-away set the trailer breaks and I had strong safety chains installed and hooked up properly. The trailer moved back about 18 inches and stayed perfectly straight until I could get it off the road to a safe stop. The break-away switch is just half of the system you must have good strong safety chains fastened securely to the trailer and the tow vehicle. This can not only save someones life but it can save your vacation by preventing the trailer from being destroyed. this is not a common thing but you would be amazed at how often trailers come unhooked because some didn't secure the latch on the hitch. A note about your safety chains, make sure they are strong, then make sure they are fastened properly with both chains the same length so that they pull the trailer straight and don't jerk it sideways. Also have your breakaway cable adjusted so that it pulls the switch just before the chains stretch tight.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Mar 4, 2015 10:09:58 GMT -8
A note about your safety chains, make sure they are strong, then make sure they are fastened properly with both chains the same length so that they pull the trailer straight…. Bill…. by "properly" do you mean criss-crossed under the tongue? What else would you suggest? There are times in life to take chances… towing is not one of them! |
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Post by bigbill on Mar 4, 2015 13:00:05 GMT -8
A note about your safety chains, make sure they are strong, then make sure they are fastened properly with both chains the same length so that they pull the trailer straight…. Bill…. by "properly" do you mean criss-crossed under the tongue? What else would you suggest? There are times in life to take chances… towing is not one of them! Yes criss-crossed and fastened securely on both ends with fasteners strong enough to stay connected. I have seen people use heavy chain bolted to the trailer with a 1/4 inch bolt and I have seen people just loop the chain over the trailer ball which can cause binding that could lead to a hitch disconnect plus would be useless in case of a hitch failure. Safety chains should be fastened to the places provided on the permanently mounted part of the hitch, not to the slide in part of the hitch. I have also seen people use swing chain and dog chain for safety chain, not acceptable. Use chain strong enough to maintain a connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 4, 2015 13:12:51 GMT -8
A note about your safety chains, make sure they are strong, then make sure they are fastened properly with both chains the same length so that they pull the trailer straight…. Bill…. by "properly" do you mean criss-crossed under the tongue? What else would you suggest? There are times in life to take chances… towing is not one of them! What criss-crossing does is give the tongue a place to land so it doesn't drop down on the tongue jack and melt that thing away. |
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Post by bigbill on Mar 4, 2015 14:42:26 GMT -8
Bill…. by "properly" do you mean criss-crossed under the tongue? What else would you suggest? There are times in life to take chances… towing is not one of them! What criss-crossing does is give the tongue a place to land so it doesn't drop down on the tongue jack and melt that thing away. Plus it helps keep the trailer from becoming a pole vaulter if the tongues catches in the pavement.  |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 4, 2015 15:25:05 GMT -8
What criss-crossing does is give the tongue a place to land so it doesn't drop down on the tongue jack and melt that thing away. Plus it helps keep the trailer from becoming a pole vaulter if the tongues catches in the pavement. Ya if the jack collapsed it would have a good chance of doing that.... Good one Bill. |
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