Are portable brake units not allowed in some jurisdictions?

[gordonsick]

I just heard a claim from someone in an RV parts department that portable brake units like the Blue Ox Patriot are not allowed in some jurisdictions. He wanted to install a bolted-in unit for me at a large price.

I've done a search on the internet for state-by-state (and province-by-province) brake rules for trailers and toads, and haven't found anything like he is suggesting.

So, I'm asking my fellow Forum members if they have heard of any jurisdictions that don't allow Blue Ox Patriot and other portable systems. Or jurisdictions that are considering rules against them.

Maybe he is just looking for a gullible customer.

–Gordon

[Oscarvan]

Never heard that, but I don't know everything. Far from. My next call would be to Blue Ox.

[dave-g]

I have never heard that- Most of the laws I have read state that any trailer over 3000 lbs must have breaks and break away breaks. Some state ( not NJ) even regulate the weight of the trailer vs the tow vehicle.


If you find proof one way or another- please let us all know.

[SeaDog]

I think he was blowing smoke X2 with calling Blue Ox

[emm-dee]

Find a new dealer.

[Bama Rambler]

I'm gonna X-whatever about never having heard that. I think he was just trying to sell you what they get profit on.

[Oscarvan]

Wait, OP is in Canada...... They're often more, eh, thorough up there.

[Big bird]

x 2

[oldsmasma]

I recently was looking for information about a tow dolly issue that I was getting conflicting info about. Here in Ontario our Ministry of Transportation has a contact link on their website. I submitted my request by email and was (pleasantly) surprised to get a thorough detailed reply within 24 hours. Maybe Alberta has the same level of service.

[Fkaske]

No need for that dealer. In fact, I ordered my Blue Ox Patriot and installed it myself. After all I have to install it every time I want to use it. I cut out the middle man and saved some cash. I went with a portable brake system so I could trade my toad and not have huge expense swaping out a built in brake system. But contact Blue Ox and make sure that their system meets requirements of each state.

[n1acguy]

Ha. I take it he didn't sell them, and was trying to get you to go another route.
What did he propose?

[cariboo camper]

Originally Posted by Oscarvan

Wait, OP is in Canada...... They're often more, eh, thorough up there.

Eh ? Would follow the end of the sentence. Right huh?

[Oscarvan]

Originally Posted by cariboo camper

Eh ? Would follow the end of the sentence. Right huh?

That was intended as an "eh" as in in "aaaaah" not as in "A"......

Gonna have to play the CSL card here.

[gordonsick]

Thanks for the replies. They are all negative, which is helpful.

I'll contact Blue Ox at some point (I've been too busy), but I'm more confident in crowd-sourced information from this Forum than I would be in the advice of Blue Ox (given their incentives to say they have never heard of a problem).

I'm not concerned specifically about the laws in Alberta or other parts of Canada. I've pulled my toad on all three North American coasts, using my Blue Ox. I just don't want to be surprised to go into some jurisdiction and find they have a rule that I didn't anticipate. Indeed, if it worried me, I'd disconnect the Toad and have my wife drive it through that State or Province.

The reason that I contacted the dealer was to get new parts to tow my new Ford Ranger. I asked about a Blue Ox breakaway line, which led him to his comments. I ultimately ordered all the parts from elsewhere.

Still, I'd be interested if anybody has heard rumours that their own or a neighbouring jurisdiction is proposing legislation that would be a problem for people using portable brake systems.

–Gordon