Braking system

[ACMN]

Any suggestions for a.breaking system for a Smart car, approx wt. 1800#. We barely need one but it is evidently illegal to tow this amount of weight in several states. Thanks for any advice

[AWF1945]

I use the RVI system.. I haul a 2500 Ram diesel

[sconnors11]

I use the brakemaster 9100, installed it myself, and also tow a Cummins Ram 2500 4x4.

First long trip with a toad will be later this month...

[ACMN]

Thanks for the info, but is there something cheaper & easier to install for such a light weight vehicle? We did tow a short distance with no braking system on the car & had no issues.

[sconnors11]

I wonder if there are Smart Car forums that may have more specifically targeted solutions.

If it weren't required by law I wouldn't bother with the brakes in that weight range (sub 2000 lb). Here in California it looks like anything over 1500 lbs needs brakes. Maybe you could approach it from that angle... Go to a public scale and pay the 20 bucks to weigh the car. If the car is below the max weight for no trailer brakes, call it a trailer. It'll depend on how the laws are written in your home state.

I tried towing my truck without brakes once. I noticed the 8500lbs immediately.

Just the other day I towed a friend's car that was 2500ish and didn't notice much difference at all. His brake system was different than mine, so no brakes on that trial.

[ACMN]

I'll give that a try, thanks

[halla]

I use RVI also. But as light as a smartcar is, have you considered a kite? Sorry couldnt help myself

[ACMN]

Hahaha, or I could rise back there & so the Fred Flinstone breaking method....

[emm-dee]

A 7x14 enclosed utility trailer should work and they usually come with brakes. Could be used for lots of other stuff when not traveling.