towing

Originally posted by wingnut2312 Well we were just approved today for our rpod 182G! You are both correct on the brakes. You are responsible to know and abide by the state you are in's laws and regs. MI does require, so I'll have to check on the uhaul. Thank you all for the info. It helps to have a place to go when you are uninformed.

Charlie, I was towing when I lived in Michigan and the common understanding there was that an electric brake controller was acceptable because it is applied by the operator pressing the brake pedal, the same as the vehicle's brakes are applied by the operator when he or she depresses the brake pedal.  It is also my understanding that if you tow a trailer through a state that has more stringent trailer brake requirements, you are bound by them as long as you are within that state.  Here is a link to the requirements in every state.

http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf

Bob

Seems like we are all guessing about if the U-Haul pickup trucks have a 7-pin Bargman connector and an electric brake controller.  A call to your local U-Haul dealer should give you the answers.

CharlieM is absolutely right about the trailer brake requirements in Michigan.  However, the law is even more stringent it you look at the exception I have pasted below.  And, without electric brakes, don't even think about taking your pod to your neighboring state of Wisconsin.

These comments are offered as constructive, and I hope you accept them as such. 

MICHIGAN

The wireless Prodigy is the only one that would not modify the truck, if done as I suggested.  All the rest require 3 wires to be run to the brake controller and then it outputs 1 wire which must be run back to the 7-pin Bargeman.  Two of the 3 wires could be taken from a lighter/outlet, but the tricky one is the connection to the brake light wiring and there's no way to do that without finding the right wire and splicing into it.  You can't even tap that signal at the 4-pin connector at the back of the truck because that output also includes turn signals.  You would end up activating the brakes any time you made a left or right turn.   

Wingnut2312:
Let me say I commend you for asking questions and seeking the advice of those who have been there. It's the way I learned and, probably, most others too. As you can see many of our opinions are strongly and loudly professed. Please credit this to enthusiasm, not animus. We all think we have the answer, some of us really do.

After following your conversations with your dealer I'm alarmed to see him in the business. From what I see he's gotten everything wrong and dangerously so. I'd suggest an immediate dealer transplant. BTW, MI requires independant brakes on trailers 3000# or greater Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This is the sum of the empty trailer plus total allowable load. All versions of RPODs exceed this threshold.

Welcome to the forum and and I look forward to hearing of your adventures, with or without the orange UHaul.