Is Supplemental Braking Required when Flat Towing a 1998 Hyundai Elantra Behind a Motorhome

Question:

1998 Elantra, it was towed by previous owner, I see a cable and pulley attached to brake pedal?. I thought as small and light as the car is it may not need the brake hook up?

asked by: Terry F

Expert Reply:

Most states (with the exception of Missouri for some reason) now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.

It is possible that the 1998 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with this or a similar system. That is unless that cable goes all the way to the front of the vehicle. If that is the case then that system is no longer available and a new system would be needed.

expert reply by: Michael H