Is Supplemental Braking System Really Necessary to Flat Tow 2004 Jeep Wrangler Behind a Motorhome

Question:

Well I am setting up a tow system for my 2004 jeep wrangler to tow behind my RV ..... using the falcon 2 and a rise adapter ....... I have had some people say you need a brake system and some that say you dont .. .... some are actually towing now without one ........ do we really need one ? I have towed a uhaul trailer ... 3000 lbs behind my other car and they had no brake system ..... ? Can you give your input

asked by: Mike J

Expert Reply:

I'd highly recommend a supplemental braking system, and here's why. You'll be pulling 3500-4000 lbs of dead weight behind a motorhome. If you're going around a turn on slick pavement, during braking the towed vehicle can actually push the rear of your motorhome toward the outside of the turn causing a jackknife. Another common occurrence is heading downhill toward a stop sign or traffic signal. Without brakes on the towed vehicle, the weight of the Wrangler could push you through the stop sign or traffic signal. Additionally, having a supplemental braking system installed on a flat towed vehicle is mandated by law in most states.

I really like a portable system like the Roadmaster # RM-9400 Even Brake. By going with a portable system like the Even Brake, you'll avoid the time consuming and expensive installation of a permanently installed system. You'll also be able to easily move it to a different vehicle in the future if need be. A portable system (after the initial height adjustment) can be installed or removed in just a couple of minutes.

In addition to the Falcon 2 tow bar and # RM-035 D-ring adapter, you'll also need safety cables like # RM-643 if you don't already have them and a taillight wiring diode kit like # RM-15267.