Towing Small/Medium Enclosed Trailer without Brakes - Questions

You shouldn't have any issues with 3000 lbs and no brakes. I tow a camper and utiltity trailer loaded with firewood quite often. Weight on both is 3000-3500 lbs.

Generally speaking use 4th gear and not "D" which is overdrive. If you get on flat stretches of road where you can easily maintain 65mph shifting up to D won't hurt anything. But you need to use the gray matter between your ears and downshift "Before" you start straining the engine. If you leave it in D in hilly terrain or in areas where traffic flow limits speed to about 50-55 the transmission will constantly hunt between D and 4. This will overheat. If in doubt, leave it in 4.

Please, please, use the transmission to downshift. It is much safer, it forces you to think ahead and "drive" the truck instead of just being along for a ride. It won't hurt your transmission at all. They are designed to use the transmission to keep the vehicle under control.

 

I use it on a big downhill but I also use my brakes and switch back and forth my truck does a good job of shifting to begin with though

 

Thank you for this information, it definitely gives me something to think about. My truck will be loaded up too so I think I will definitely be over a 2000 pound load. It's hard to know for sure though as much of what I'll be transporting is bulkier than it is heavy – bikes, blankets, 1 mattress, cookware, etc.

You mentioned that California is an exception to that 3000 pound rule. I checked that aaa website, it appears as trailer brakes are only required on trailered loads of 3000 lbs or more unless it's a camper trailer. I'm just wondering if that's the only exception to that rule that you know of in California.

 

If you're IN San Diego... and driving 1000 miles south... Mexico? Or are you up north at the moment? CA law requires Semi's and trucks with trailers not exceed 55. My friend and I tow his boat, and he never exceeds 60. It's just the smart thing to do, especially without trailer brakes. I'll be getting a boat soon, myself... no brakes on the trailer and it'll be about 3600. If it doesn't feel right, I'll spend another $800 and get 'em added after.

As far as CA law regarding trailers... it's CVC 26303. "Every trailer coach and every camp trailer having a gross weight of 1,500 pounds or more, but exclusive of passengers, shall be equipped with brakes on at least two wheels which are adequate, supplemental to the brakes on the towing vehicle, to enable the combination of vehicles to comply with the stopping distance requirements of Section 26454." The last one says you have to be able to stop from 20 mph in 40 feet... probably unlikely without trailer brakes.

 

Sorry, I should have clarified.

I'm in Oregon, traveling down to San Diego.

 

If you haven't made the trek already, you should definitely be fine. I just hauled a 4000 lb. Subaru today with no brakes and no issues. Just make sure to put the majority of the weight in the front of the trailer to promote better stability and steering.

 

Couple of suggestions
Absolutely shift down on any down hill section to keep speed under control. Drive no faster than the 18 wheelers. You should be able to maintain down hill speed with almost NO brake use - use as low a gear as you can. Save your brakes for an emergency. Turn your a/c on max on down hills, it adds a little drag. Turn off on uphill if your engine temp climbs.

 

Spend the $100 to save much much more $$$ trying to defend yourself in court. And to that end, it all comes down to money.
If or when it comes to a court decision, you will be glad that the vehicle code and the insurance co. will be on your side.
I am a commercial driver, rude and distracted people cut us off all the time. I know that I can slow down or even stop in time,
but if you are behind me and can't.... well??

I have 3 towable trailers. A tow dolly, an 800 lb. trash trailer and a 14' tandem axle car trailer. They all have brakes.
Peace of mind goes a long way because I don't want to lose it all because of money.

Steve

 

Tow in 4 rather than D and you will be fine. Just uses extra fuel.
Have a safe trip.

 

Late to the conversation but I agree with all the posts above. Yes it can be done safely without brakes and, yes, most states require trailer brakes over 3k lbs. If I were towing through the mountains, I'd definitely prefer trailer brakes. I pull a 2,000 lb vintage camper with mine. The wiring harness was bad when I bought it so the trailer brakes didn't work. It pulled and stopped just fine using the truck brakes. Once I repaired the harness, I was amazed at the difference with properly adjusted trailer brakes. Now the full rig stops smoother than my Tacoma does with no trailer. Keep in mind that you'll have to buy a brake controller in addition to a brake kit unless you already have a controller. Brake Kits go for about $250 with hubs and you'll want a differential controller. I use a Tekonsha P3 and paid $120 for it.

 

Thank you everyone for your responses.
I've decided to go with a tandem axle trailer that has brakes on one axle and buy a proportional brake controller for the truck!