Towing Capacity without Trailer Brakes?

[tbryanh]

They make a system that hooks to the dingy( motorhome reference) to apply the towed vehicles brakes tow vehicle)when the main brakes are on just like towing a trailer.
They are pricey but so is life.

I've heard of those. I'll check in to that. Thanks.

 

[ironworker40]

http://towingworld.com/resources/2015DinghyGuide.pdf

 

[OLDBULL8]

The rule of the thumb is, anything over 2000# requires braking system, some states are at 1500#. I would look at towing what your gonna do is with a dolly with surge brakes. Start adding up all the necessary things needed to tow without one. With a dolly you can tow a vehicle with the rear wheels on it, no need to worry about a transmission on the toad.

You might even look into renting one.

But, whatever your going to tow, I would have a certified weight slip. There is no guessing then if any trouble happens.

 

[tbryanh]

http://towingworld.com/resources/2015DinghyGuide.pdf

Looks like that place has anything you could possibly need for flat towing.

 

[tbryanh]

The rule of the thumb is, anything over 2000# requires braking system, some states are at 1500#. I would look at towing what your gonna do is with a dolly with surge brakes. Start adding up all the necessary things needed to tow without one. With a dolly you can tow a vehicle with the rear wheels on it, no need to worry about a transmission on the toad.

You might even look into renting one.

But, whatever your going to tow, I would have a certified weight slip. There is no guessing then if any trouble happens.

Tow dolly with brake sounds good. I wonder if I could tow a 5300 lb Toyota 4Runner with it?

 

[DaveBen]

Sure, why not? It has the brakes to stop the 4Runner.

Dave

 

[tbryanh]

Sure, why not? It has the brakes to stop the 4Runner.

Dave

Would my van be able to handle it?

 

[DaveBen]

Yes if the dolly has brakes. The van weighs more than the dolly and 4Runner, so you should not have a problem.

Dave

 

[tbryanh]

Can the engine and transmission etc. handle the weight or will the engine overheat, etc.?

 

[fsmyth]

I drove E250's for 20 years, towing anything and everything.
If it will move it, generally it will stop it.
Just ease into it, and leave as much room as possible.
I would not be nervous about a tow bar/pickup.
Trailer with brakes would be better.
Edited to add: most of the time, I had a pretty good load IN the van,
so that helped.

 

[chris142]

Check with your state. In CA the max you can tow without trailer brakes is 3000 lbs