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07-09-2007, 06:00 PM
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#1
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Guest
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Prospective buyer electric brake question
This is a question from a prospective owner. How critical is it to have electric brakes in place on tv when picking up a used TM. I will be looking at a possible purchase later this week while out travelling on a biz trip several hundreds of miles from home. Do I dare drive it far without electric brakes. What are the risk issues. Could I just drive slower for example? Comments please.
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07-09-2007, 06:18 PM
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#2
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Santa Cruz County, CA
Posts: 2,405
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Here in California it's illegal to tow trailers over a certain weight without operational brakes; I don't know about your state. If you are involved in an accident and you don't have the proper (working) brakes you would likely be held at least partially responsible.
I wouldn't do it.
__________________
'97 2720 & '01 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4
2011 & 2017 Prii, 10'x18' & 10'x9' Tents
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07-09-2007, 06:57 PM
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#3
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Guest
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I agree with B&D, however, if you are using a TV that has substantial brakes (like a F250 truck), not driving in mountainous terrain, and pulling a smaller (2619) trailer that isn't loaded down, then I might be inclined to atleast bring it home without a brake controller.
Brakes will warp if they get too hot!
Also remember to disengage your Overdrive to save your tranny.
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07-09-2007, 07:13 PM
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#4
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Blandford, MA
Posts: 1,052
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A truck driver once asked me, "If you through an arrow up in the air, which end hits the ground first?" Naturally I said the tip or arrow head (the heavier end). He then proceeded to tell me, "That is what happens to the trailer I pull . . . if I have to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident" "I will watch the trailer go right by my window" (again, the heavier part of the tractor trailer). I would have the electric brake controller installed. We bought our unit from a private party in Wilmington, NC. I borrowed my niece's 2000 Tundra and had the electric brake control installed (in her truck) and it did make a big difference. At one point along I-95 I could see several vehicles parked in the brake down lane (about a mile up the road). As I got closer, the vehicles decided to pull out into my travel lane. I couldn't safely change lanes because other vehicles were in the passing lane. I ended up braking very hard in order to avoid rear ending the inattentive driver who was now directly in front of me. I should add that the driver decided to pull into my travel lane at the last minute. I was glad to have the electric brake control!
Dick
__________________
Dick & Jeri in Western MA
2003 2720 SL
2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Limited 4x4 - V8
Albums
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07-09-2007, 07:16 PM
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#5
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Guest
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If there is even the possiblity of rain, drizzle or wet roads, then you will want those trailer brake. If you have to make an emergency stop on a wet road, the trailer is liable to try and pass you. I personally would never tow a trailer of any real weight like the TM without brakes. You might as well play russian roulette with a revolver. You might get lucky and not have a problem, but why take the chance.
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07-09-2007, 08:49 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,224
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Why would you do this? A couple hundred bucks, for the purchase and installation of a brake controller, is cheap, especially since you will have it done within a few days of getting home anyway. Buy a Prodigy, have it installed, and be done with it.
Bill
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07-09-2007, 09:36 PM
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#7
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Guest
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I agree with everyone else. Why risk your life over a couple hundred dollars, when you'll probably spend at least that much on the gas for the TV...
It'd also be illegal to tow even the smallest TM in Wyoming without the brakes hooked up. You might not get caught, but if you got into an accident - even if you didn't get hurt - I wouldn't want to be the one arguing with the insurance company to try to get them to pay for things (even if it wasn't your fault and the TM did not contribute). Just another thing to think about...
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07-16-2007, 10:10 PM
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#9
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Guest
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You may have made your decision already, but if your TV is "trailer ready" it is really easy to install the brake controller. Buy the controller (P3, Prodigy, or some such for around $100, get a custom wiring harness for your TV for $10, screw the controller into your TV with 2 screws, and connect. Done. By the way, when we bought our Starcraft tent trailer a year and a half ago, the dealer (Adventure RV in Anaheim CA) charged me $650 to do this. I have learned a lot since then. By the way, we pick up our '08 TM day after tomorrow...we are stoked!
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07-21-2007, 09:58 AM
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#10
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Guest
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My TV died once at my in-laws. I towed my TM 2720 home with their 1989 Suburban. It was about 50 miles, all lightly traveled interstate. I had no problems. I shouldn't have towed it without brakes, but I did anyway.
I never had to make a panic stop. How good are you at predicting unpredictable emergencies?
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