Is rated towing capacity increased with trailer brakes?

[Zombie]

not bad, a free RV, what a good deal.

[superles]

I admit i did not read to detail all the above, but have the following input to share.
You can run up to 11,794k on a private plate/non commercial provided that you are a non for hire vehicle. Non for hire is hauling your own equipment (RV, Race car and trailer etc).  a complete unit will in most cases be a single axle tractor with juice brakes and electric on triple axle trailer or a single axle tractor with air brake (require a 5Q license) and electric on trailer.
This is how the big RV unit run.

Most trailers are built to allow a maximum of 15% weight migration to hitch of vehicle towing.

Trailer brakes are a requirement over 3500lbs and also suggested by most manufactures for towing a trailer where the trailer and its combined payload are over 3500 lbs. So take your trailer and think of it as it must be capable of breaking its own load with no more than 15% of it being directly transfered to the pull vehicle. If it exceeds, by a bigger vehicle.

GVWR of a vehicle is 100% based on braking capacity and tire size and not gear ratio. The reason that most people associate it to gear ratio is that they will note that a spec of a vehicle changes when you compare tires size to gear ratio in brouchures. This is to maximize rpm range for pulling and fuel economy.

 

[cLAY]

GVWR stays the same with a gear ratio change but it does affect GCWR.

The Dodge 3500 is 21,000# with 3.73 gears and 23,000 with 4.10s.

[Evil-Jeep]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there is a difference in regulations if you are "trippling" with 2 bumper pull trailers and one goose neck trailer and one bumper pull trailer. I can't remember why or where I was reading about it being legal to pull a gooseneck with a bumper pull trailer, but I am very sure there was a difference in what was legal and what was not.

[jpthing]

I admit i did not read to detail all the above, but have the following input to share.
You can run up to 11,794k on a private plate/non commercial provided that you are a non for hire vehicle. Non for hire is hauling your own equipment (RV, Race car and trailer etc).  a complete unit will in most cases be a single axle tractor with juice brakes and electric on triple axle trailer or a single axle tractor with air brake (require a 5Q license) and electric on trailer.
This is how the big RV unit run.

Most trailers are built to allow a maximum of 15% weight migration to hitch of vehicle towing.

Trailer brakes are a requirement over 3500lbs and also suggested by most manufactures for towing a trailer where the trailer and its combined payload are over 3500 lbs. So take your trailer and think of it as it must be capable of breaking its own load with no more than 15% of it being directly transfered to the pull vehicle. If it exceeds, by a bigger vehicle.

GVWR of a vehicle is 100% based on braking capacity and tire size and not gear ratio. The reason that most people associate it to gear ratio is that they will note that a spec of a vehicle changes when you compare tires size to gear ratio in brouchures. This is to maximize rpm range for pulling and fuel economy.

 

hmm., I think I am over the figure you mentioned at 24,000lb for motorhome and 4000lb for "trailer" (jeep) yet I am on a regular plate and insurance...?

and yeah trailer brakes really help, I got this thing for flat towing my jeep which would be described best as a "freaky contraption" it's called the evenbrake and it's basically a box that sits on the driver's florr and contains a small air compressor, a air powered ram and some circuitry including a momentum sensor. Basically at a selectable rate of deceleration the air ram will shoot out with 75-100 lbs of force onto the brake pedal and slow the vehicle. the massive force is required since the system functions without vacum and therefore without power brakes so the brakes are in hard and weak. Let's just say you'd best be followin' the instructions when installing or removing or you might find yourself with a broken arm. (if you move it around when it's on the ram will shoot out)

unfortuneately there is no way to activate it in the event the tow vehicles brakes fail.

It's an odd contraption but does the trick.

[cLAY]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there is a difference in regulations if you are "trippling" with 2 bumper pull trailers and one goose neck trailer and one bumper pull trailer. I can't remember why or where I was reading about it being legal to pull a gooseneck with a bumper pull trailer, but I am very sure there was a difference in what was legal and what was not.

Thats a good point. Tripling is only allowed if the first unit has a 5th wheel pin type hitch.  Gooseneck beans and 2" reciever style rear frame mounted hitched don't qualify so I don't see how it could be done legeally with a motorhome as a tow unit.

[Vinman]

Trailer brakes are a requirement over 3500lbs...
 

Trailer brakes are required on all trailers 3,000lb and over in AB and I believe it's 2,000lbs and over in BC.
If you look at the GVW on most single axle (non-braking) trailer it's typically 2,990 lbs yet the trailers have 3,500lb axles.

Vince

[superles]

the law does state 910kg (2006 lbs) and up for trailer brakes, but there is exceptions when trailer does not exceed 50% of the weight of the tow vehicle. For this reason most manuals and ratings are based on trailer brakes only been commonly found on 3500lb axles.
In short there is always exceptions.

Trailer Exceeds 910 kg and Weighs More Than 50% of the Towing Vehicle Weight
BRAKES ARE REQUIRED ON TRAILER

Trailer Does Not Exceed 910 kg and Weighs Less Than 50% of Towing Vehicle Weight
and Consists of a Single Axle
BRAKES ARE NOT REQUIRED ON TRAILER

Trailer weighs more than 910 kg and is Less Than 50% of Towing Vehicle Weight
BRAKES ARE NOT REQUIRED ON TRAILER

check out.:
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/Content/docType41/Production/recvehtowguide.pdf

I  build and spec truck equipment for a living and have learned that the best way to know what is legal and not, is to check with the person writing the ticket. (being safe and not getting fined is the concern right) I therfore have the balzac scale on speed dial and they have always been very good at answering any questions that i may have. I also carry a 3 ring binder of the laws on load securement with me when trailering my jeep, as i have seen people fined for 2-4 chains with binders and also with wratchet straps both rated to ecxeed load. The laws for hauling automobiles differ from equipment (go figure).

Balzac scale 403-226-0168

[superles]

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/vehicle_inspections/PDF/MV3230.pdf
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/references_publications/trailer_towing_info_sheet.pdf

The provincial site for BC is full of errors tonight...

and

BC is actually 1400Kg and 50% of tow vehicle for trailer brake requirement

[01sahara]

My TJ has a towing capacity of 2000lb. I have lots of power to tow our 1500lb trailer but loaded with gear the trailer is closer to the 1800 mark. However, the TJ with 33” tires and a lift stops like crap. It also pushes the back of the lifted TJ with a short wheelbase around when stopping. With the trailer breaks now working properly towing the trailer is way better. Stops well and don't feel the back  of the TJ moving around as much.

 What are the specifics on the trailer you want to tow? Which vehicle are you using the new jeep or the old one.

Your TJ will tow most reasonable size tent trailers. But trailer breaks help a lot.

I think your newer jeep may have a 3500lb capacity but I would suggest installing the break controller. Most of the trailers will have e-breaks so might as well use them.

[bushman67]

Just a quick chime in from an ex-trucker.

It doesn't matter what mods are done to a vehicle... overloads, air rides, tranny coolers, electric brakes. By law you still can not exceed manufacture's GCRW.
That's the TJ, fuel, passengers, dog, toys, trailer, and it's load of goodies.

In your case, the 2008 TJ Unlimited (auto) is 3500# trailer weight however a GCRW of 7944#.

Trust me: BC's D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) are strict AND really like nailing out of province vacationers - it's hefty cash-up fines. If they even suspect your are close to your limit, they have full right to park you on the spot & put out the jump scales. You could end up being forced to part with your trailer until a suitable tow vehicle is found.

[bushman67]

I also saw someone's reply about BC 'now' allowing doubles/triples.
 Not so... DOT still states, passenger rated vehicles & RVs are ONLY allowed to tow ONE unit. Also keep in mind that in BC, and trailer exceeding 1400 kg (3086#) must have active braking on the trailer.

[bushman67]

GVRW is a little misleading, as that figure is the tow vehicle, fuel, passengers, toys, and tongue weight....

And tongue weight is a combination what the manufacture figures what the frame can support (with the correctly matched hitch for said weight) -- ie, 250, 350, etc.

The towing weight (of 3500) is a manufacture 'recommended' max... it can't really be used when adding or subtracting numbers. One can ball park it, by taking GCRW, less curb weight, less max tongue weight = (your shite) & dry trailer weight --- regardless of the numbers, it's best to never get to close to MSR tow rating (of 3500). Sure the vehicle may pull it, but controlling it is another thing.

From experience, I know that no one really adds up the weight of all their shite correctly. Fuel, water, people, toys, and yes... even accessories (like the new bumper & winch that weights 200 lbs more than stock).

It's ALWAYS a good idea to load up with your normal weekend gear, pitch in the family, fill up the tank, grab some coffee, and hit the scales. At least you then KNOW your numbers.