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Towing a street vehicle with your RV requires a dependable braking system. Explore more truck images.
Nancy Louie/iStockphoto.comRecreational vehicles (RVs) are perfect for travelers who want to explore the country while avoiding hotel costs. At night, simply park at a campground and rest. The next day, enjoy breakfast, hop into the driver’s seat, and continue your journey.
While the RV serves as your primary transportation and accommodation, it may not always be the only vehicle you need. To fully explore cities or towns during your trip, towing a street vehicle is a practical choice. RVs excel on highways but are less suited for narrow streets, making a smaller car, truck, or SUV ideal for local exploration.
When towing a vehicle behind your RV, the added weight makes braking a critical concern. If you’re considering towing another vehicle, installing a towing braking system is essential. What role do these systems play, and why are they so crucial?
Types of Towing Braking Systems
To choose the best towing braking system for your RV, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the available options. Pictured above is an example of a surge braking system.
© ReadyBrakeWhy are braking systems necessary for RVs when towing? Imagine the RV and the towed vehicle as two runners in a line. If both maintain the same speed and adjust simultaneously, they can move smoothly. However, if the leading runner stops suddenly without warning, the trailing runner may collide, disrupting the flow and potentially causing harm.
Similarly, an RV’s braking system must synchronize with the towed vehicle’s brakes. Without a proper braking mechanism, the towed vehicle’s weight and momentum will overburden the RV’s brakes, leading to wear and potential safety hazards.
Towing braking systems generally fall into three main categories:
- Surge braking systems utilize a slide receiver as the tow bar. When the RV decelerates, the slide receiver compresses, mechanically activating a lever connected to the towed vehicle’s brakes.
- Deceleration systems monitor the RV’s momentum changes. Using mercury switches, pendulums, or accelerometers, they detect speed variations and relay braking signals to the towed vehicle’s brakes through wiring.
- Pressure systems employ electronics to measure the force applied to the RV’s brake pedal, transmitting the corresponding braking power to the towed vehicle’s brakes via wires.
These systems operate in two distinct ways: proportional or time-delayed. A proportional braking system applies equal brake pressure to both the RV and the towed vehicle. For example, a light tap on the RV’s brakes will result in a proportional response in the towed vehicle’s brakes. Conversely, time-delayed braking systems allow you to configure a specific power level to be sent to the towed vehicle after a set delay.
Installing Towing Braking Systems
The complexity of installing a towing braking system varies based on the system type and your frequency of changing motor homes. Pictured above is a portable braking system.
© RoadmasterThe ease or difficulty of installing a towing braking system in an RV largely depends on how often you switch motor homes. Some individuals frequently buy and sell RVs to find the perfect fit, while others remain loyal to their chosen RV for years.
A portable braking system is ideal for drivers who frequently switch RVs or tow different vehicles. Installation typically takes around an hour and involves securing a pedal clamp over the RV’s brake pedal, connecting the wiring harness, and plugging the power cord into a power source.
In contrast, a direct braking system is designed for those who primarily tow a single vehicle with their RV. It integrates directly into the RV’s braking system, making installation more time-consuming and complex. While not permanent, a direct system is less adaptable than a portable one, which can be easily transferred between vehicles.
Many towing braking systems include breakaway kits, which are battery-powered devices that activate if the towed vehicle detaches from the hitch. These kits instantly apply the brakes to the detached vehicle, preventing accidents and minimizing damage to other drivers.
