"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Jim" wrote in message
...


Don't forget the brakes, you guys. It might have some bearing on Toyota's
recommendation


Something that has always been a question in my head:

Most states require brakes on trailers over 3000 lbs. Now, that, to me
is dumb to begin with. I can't think of a typical light duty truck, car,
SUV or whatever that has brakes designed to stop itself *plus* an
additional 3000 lbs in an emergency stop. That could easily be almost
twice the weight the brakes were designed for. Wouldn't brakes on *all*
trailers make sense? At least surge brakes for emergencies.

Over 3000 lbs, the trailer is supposed to have brakes designed to stop the
*trailer* weight in a specified and reasonable distance.
The tow vehicle's braking capacity really doesn't come into play in
meeting this requirement.

I am not sure how it really works with surge brakes, but I know every
trailer I've towed with electric brakes, from a 7000 lb car trailer to a
15,500 lb fifth wheel were capable of locking up all the wheels equipped
with brakes. The 7k car trailer had brakes on all four wheels. I can't
remember how many of the 6 wheels (triple axle) were equipped with brakes
on the fifth wheel, but regardless, it didn't depend on the tow vehicle's
brakes to stop it.

I *do* remember (as you probably do) towing that water logged, 27'
Century on a trailer with non-functioning surge brakes with a 2500 series
Dodge Ram. The damn boat and trailer pushed me right through a red light
and into an intersection and I was only doing about 10-15 mph, slowing
down as I approached the light.

Eisboch



I need to correct/clarify something here. Trailers with brakes (3k lbs
and up) must, by DOT regulation, have brakes that are capable of stopping
the fully loaded trailer GVW (not just the trailer, as I originally wrote)
in a specified distance.

Eisboch

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Jim" wrote in message
...


Don't forget the brakes, you guys. It might have some bearing on Toyota's
recommendation


Something that has always been a question in my head:

Most states require brakes on trailers over 3000 lbs. Now, that, to me
is dumb to begin with. I can't think of a typical light duty truck, car,
SUV or whatever that has brakes designed to stop itself *plus* an
additional 3000 lbs in an emergency stop. That could easily be almost
twice the weight the brakes were designed for. Wouldn't brakes on *all*
trailers make sense? At least surge brakes for emergencies.

Over 3000 lbs, the trailer is supposed to have brakes designed to stop the
*trailer* weight in a specified and reasonable distance.
The tow vehicle's braking capacity really doesn't come into play in
meeting this requirement.

I am not sure how it really works with surge brakes, but I know every
trailer I've towed with electric brakes, from a 7000 lb car trailer to a
15,500 lb fifth wheel were capable of locking up all the wheels equipped
with brakes. The 7k car trailer had brakes on all four wheels. I can't
remember how many of the 6 wheels (triple axle) were equipped with brakes
on the fifth wheel, but regardless, it didn't depend on the tow vehicle's
brakes to stop it.

I *do* remember (as you probably do) towing that water logged, 27'
Century on a trailer with non-functioning surge brakes with a 2500 series
Dodge Ram. The damn boat and trailer pushed me right through a red light
and into an intersection and I was only doing about 10-15 mph, slowing
down as I approached the light.

Eisboch

It's a miracle you survived. ;-)

"Eisboch" wrote in message
...

"Jim" wrote in message
...


Don't forget the brakes, you guys. It might have some bearing on
Toyota's recommendation


Something that has always been a question in my head:

Most states require brakes on trailers over 3000 lbs. Now, that, to
me is dumb to begin with. I can't think of a typical light duty truck,
car, SUV or whatever that has brakes designed to stop itself *plus* an
additional 3000 lbs in an emergency stop. That could easily be almost
twice the weight the brakes were designed for. Wouldn't brakes on
*all* trailers make sense? At least surge brakes for emergencies.

Over 3000 lbs, the trailer is supposed to have brakes designed to stop
the *trailer* weight in a specified and reasonable distance.
The tow vehicle's braking capacity really doesn't come into play in
meeting this requirement.

I am not sure how it really works with surge brakes, but I know every
trailer I've towed with electric brakes, from a 7000 lb car trailer to a
15,500 lb fifth wheel were capable of locking up all the wheels equipped
with brakes. The 7k car trailer had brakes on all four wheels. I
can't remember how many of the 6 wheels (triple axle) were equipped with
brakes on the fifth wheel, but regardless, it didn't depend on the tow
vehicle's brakes to stop it.

I *do* remember (as you probably do) towing that water logged, 27'
Century on a trailer with non-functioning surge brakes with a 2500
series Dodge Ram. The damn boat and trailer pushed me right through a
red light and into an intersection and I was only doing about 10-15 mph,
slowing down as I approached the light.

Eisboch


The weight limit allows those small utility trailers. The ones they sell at
Home Depot, etc for $800 and you assemble. Odd thing in Calif. Trailers
require brakes at 1500# except for boat trailers that require brakes at
3000#.

" wrote in news:73167aaf-58be-
:

2008 Toyota Highlander

Too bad you weren't at the exit door of Home Depot hardware store, today.
The local Toyota dealer had 7 people there trying to make the best of an
awful market dumping their overstock of Tundras, Highlanders and the
smaller SUV noone wanted.

I asked one when I could stop by and pick up my 3 cylinder Smart-sized
microcar. He didn't like that question....

"Larry" wrote in message
...
" wrote in news:73167aaf-58be-
:

2008 Toyota Highlander

Too bad you weren't at the exit door of Home Depot hardware store, today.
The local Toyota dealer had 7 people there trying to make the best of an
awful market dumping their overstock of Tundras, Highlanders and the
smaller SUV noone wanted.

I asked one when I could stop by and pick up my 3 cylinder Smart-sized
microcar. He didn't like that question....


What were they asking for a 2008 Toyota RAV4 with 4cyl and auto
We're still getting ripped off up here. Even though our money is approx
par...they still want thousands more than Consumer Reports says they cost
below the border.

"Don White" wrote in
:

What were they asking for a 2008 Toyota RAV4 with 4cyl and auto
We're still getting ripped off up here. Even though our money is
approx par...they still want thousands more than Consumer Reports says
they cost below the border.



Sorry, I didn't ask. My only question was how much did it take to fill it
with liquid rhodium. I wasn't interested in buying. As soon as he found
out I was a vegoil user all but one of the salesmen wanted me to go drive
my 300TD Turbocharged diesel wagon over so they could hear it run....

They don't make a diesel Toyota for the USA. How sad. The Tundra had a
5.7L V-8 "Top Fuel Eliminator" in it.

"Larry" wrote in message
...
" wrote in news:73167aaf-58be-
:

2008 Toyota Highlander

Too bad you weren't at the exit door of Home Depot hardware store, today.
The local Toyota dealer had 7 people there trying to make the best of an
awful market dumping their overstock of Tundras, Highlanders and the
smaller SUV noone wanted.

I asked one when I could stop by and pick up my 3 cylinder Smart-sized
microcar. He didn't like that question....



Did you say you checked out the Volkswagen Jetta with the 100 hp diesel?
My sister has a wagon version TDI and seems happy with it.

"Don White" wrote in news:4897ab61$0$4017
:

Did you say you checked out the Volkswagen Jetta with the 100 hp diesel?
My sister has a wagon version TDI and seems happy with it.



Volkswagens caused me sticker shock. Once the price passes what I think a
new home is worth, I pretty much lose interest. God they're proud of
Volkswagens! They look at me funny when I tell them my first Beetle was
$1495 brand new!

I didn't see any Volkswagens, though. Those cars with Volkswagen stickers
on the outside were Audis, who gave America such a bad time I can
understand why they don't call them Audis any more......

"Larry" wrote in message
...
"Don White" wrote in news:4897ab61$0$4017
:

Did you say you checked out the Volkswagen Jetta with the 100 hp diesel?
My sister has a wagon version TDI and seems happy with it.



Volkswagens caused me sticker shock. Once the price passes what I think a
new home is worth, I pretty much lose interest. God they're proud of
Volkswagens! They look at me funny when I tell them my first Beetle was
$1495 brand new!

I didn't see any Volkswagens, though. Those cars with Volkswagen stickers
on the outside were Audis, who gave America such a bad time I can
understand why they don't call them Audis any more......


Certain models of the newer Audi's are nicely engineered. They
subcontracted some of the drivetrain and engine design to Porsche.

Eisboch

On Aug 4, 8:28*pm, Larry wrote:
" wrote in news:73167aaf-58be-
:

2008 Toyota Highlander

Too bad you weren't at the exit door of Home Depot hardware store, today. *
The local Toyota dealer had 7 people there trying to make the best of an
awful market dumping their overstock of Tundras, Highlanders and the
smaller SUV noone wanted.

I asked one when I could stop by and pick up my 3 cylinder Smart-sized
microcar. *He didn't like that question....

Not surprising. Toyota is not very aggressive in offering cash rebate
like other car companies. They are only offering $1,000 rebate for
Highlander when Nissan is offereing $2,500 for PathFinder, and $5,000
for Titan. GMC also offers $5,000 for their Sierra. But when I went
to their dealership to look for Sierra, they had sold out all of their
pickup trucks. This means despite the economy condition, some people
are still buying; but they only buy from companies that offer large
cash rebate.

For the record, Toyota is also offering $2,500 for their aging 4Runner
SUV; I don't consider it because its third row seat is painfully
tight.

Jay Chan