Is it unsafe to tow an RV without the electric brakes?

Question

I now it's not ideal but is it dangerously unsafe? I've got an FJ Cruiser with a tow capacity of 5000lbs. and the RV is an 18' Fleetwood Pioneer with a dry weight of 3800lbs. We're going about 800 miles roundtrip. What do you think?

Answer 1

Yes it is dangerous to tow without trailer brakes. You need the electric brakes. The trailer is heavy enough to need the hooked up as I am sure it has them. If you don't use them and get into a panick stop at highway speed you will crash as the trailer brakes keep it straight and assist your truck in stopping.Without you could possibly jackknife and lose control. Its better to have trailer brakes and not need to stop in a hurry than to have a panick stop and not have brakes, because that's not the time to wish you had them. Be safe and get the trailer brakes hooked up or get another truck that already has them installed. Have a safe trip...............UJN

Answer 2

Yes you will need some type of electric braking system for your safety.....

Answer 3

I would reccomend it for that size trailer.  Anything over 2500 lbs is a good idea.

Answer 4

It's unsafe in the fact that your trailer cant stop on its own. Your vehicle will stop it...eventually (it might go thru your rear end before it stops) but it will stop

Answer 5

You're ok as long as you don't stop.

This a a pretty heave trailer, especially to be pulled by an off road vehicle. All you need is one short stop to have big problems.

Go for the electric brakes.

See TOYOTA'S Guide to Towing at http://www.toyota.com/pdfs/towguide_Part...