Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **hmikey** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:03 am

I 'm looking at a small 59 Garway trailer. At what weight should I be concerned about electric brakes? At the moment I don't know the real weight, the ad says 500 lbs. but I'm a little sceptical. thanks Mike

by **madjack** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:58 pm

...you will probably get many answers on this...so, listen up...while brakes on the trailer can always help, GOOD SITUATIONAL AWARENESS can do almost as good...by law, most States limit you to 2-3000#'s unbraked...many vehicle manufacturers put that limit at 50% of rated capacity(for example, my vehicle is rated at 2000 without and 3500 with)...all of this, will depend greatly on your tow vehicle and it's weight rating...in other words, what might be safe for a full sized PU/SUV will not be for your little Focus/Camry/Subaru/etc.............
madjack

by **hmikey** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:16 pm

Hi Madjack; I've lurked around this forum long enough to know to respect your opinions, that being said, I appreciate your reply to my brakes problem. I've found that the Garway is quite light, I have a few days to consider it, so I 'll be OK. thanks, Hmikey

by **Shadow Catcher** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:01 pm

As I have oft stated, it is better to have brakes and not need them than to need them and not have them our first MM @ 1150 dry and our Subaru rated at 2000# did not have them and I felt insecure on hilly and rough, roads our new one does them.

http://s26.photobucket.com/user/len1907 · by **len19070** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:46 pm

All good advise has already been stated.

BUT! Your Tow Vehicle has a lot to do with it also.

If your towing under 2500lbs with a full sized truck, your OK

But doing the same thing with a Mazda Miata.......ya might want to look in to it.

Though being legal in your area is important, the best one to consult, in regards to reality is your Tow Vehicle manufacturer.

That said...and quoting Jack.

madjack wrote:while brakes on the trailer can always help, GOOD SITUATIONAL AWARENESS can do almost as good...

Happy Trails

Len

by **Larwyn** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:41 pm

Hmmm.....

.......no, never mind.....

by **eamarquardt** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:37 pm

madjack wrote:GOOD SITUATIONAL AWARENESS can do almost as good..

This might be true in rural areas but here, with the sheer number of folks sharing the road, you need every advantage you can get in controlling your rig.

It's a heck of a lot easier to stay out of trouble when you are the only one on the road.

Cheers,

Gus

by **Shadow Catcher** » Sun May 01, 2011 6:23 am

I am going to to with Gus on this, I expect folks to do stupid stuff on the roads (and have occasionally done them my self) and am seldom disappointed. You want ever advantage.

by **StandUpGuy** » Sun May 01, 2011 6:51 am

500 lbs or anywhere close to that is very light. What states do you plan to tow the trailer in?

by **eamarquardt** » Sun May 01, 2011 10:50 am

Shadow Catcher wrote:I am going to to with Gus on this, I expect folks to do stupid stuff on the roads (and have occasionally done them my self) and am seldom disappointed. You want ever advantage.

I too have "lapses" of good driving habits. Maybe I'm human afterall.

Cheers,

Gus

by **StandUpGuy** » Sun May 01, 2011 4:11 pm

My mini van does not brake as well as a lamborgini so I am always on guard.

by **rbeemer** » Mon May 02, 2011 11:54 am

If you wanted the road to yourself couldn't just put a big sign on your trailer that says high school student driver with flashing lights. :lol:

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