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Topic ClosedCharging battery while connected to tow vehicle

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Charging battery while connected to tow vehicle
    Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 3:16pm
Originally posted by StephenH

Better than either system would be electric over hydraulic disc brakes. However, that is a very expensive proposition at this point.

+1, that would bring trailer brake technology from 1930's tech into the second half of the 20th century. Even 1930's farm tractors have braking systems comparable to what rPods have. Then we couid also have ABS on our trailers. 


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 2:32pm
Better than either system would be electric over hydraulic disc brakes. However, that is a very expensive proposition at this point.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 10:24am
I would guess that's its because the electric brakes are less expensive. My Euro horse trailer with surge brakes has a hitch assembly that flexes in and out and actuates a set of rods and cables that are connected to levers in the brake drums. Works great, very smooth, no fiddling with brake controller adjustments, and more reliable I think. 

All electric brakes have are a couple of electromagnets and some wires, gotta be a lot cheaper for the trailer manufacturer, although overall cost including the brake controller is probably not much lower. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 10:16am
Surge brakes are the most common braking system used in Europe for caravans.  They don't seem to like electric brake systems, so no one worries about installing brake controllers in their TV's.  I'm sure each system has its detractors and advocates and that the debate rages on and on.  Does anyone know why we don't see surge brakes here on light weight travel trailers?  [Maybe a new thread should be started on this topic, but it comes up often with vehicles that have marginal towing capacity and no provisions for an easy installation of an electric brake controller.]
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 2020 at 8:19am
Certainly if Lexus said that trailer brakes are not required for trailers weighing less than 3500 lbs that is wrong information. Most states limit is 3000. But the state regs are based on actual gross trailer weight, not empty weight and not max gross weight. We all know that most rPods weigh less than 3000 empty but will go down the road weighing more than 3000 lbs, and quite commonly more than 3500,  but unless the state trooper has a set of portable scales with him how would anyone know? 

Regardless, Lexus is absolutely within their rights as a manufacturer to refuse to install aftermarket equipment in their vehicles. If I were them I wouldn't do it either. Why accept the liability? 

Also, the state regs don't specify how the trailer brakes need to function, just that they do. I have a horse trailer that  weighs about 4000 lbs if I load it with two animals and it is perfectly legal to operate without a brake controller in the TV. It has surge brakes. So, specifying a max tow rating of 3500 (which is done to a specific standard not set by Lexus) while not recommending or installing electric brake controllers in their vehicles is not unreasonable on Lexus' part. 

I look at it this way: by dissuading customers from getting trailers that require electric brakes and will weigh more than 3000 lbs, Lexus is doing its customers a favor. We all know that the tow vehicle ratings are bogus because they allow for nothing to be loaded in the TV. The extra 500 lbs provides at least a little margin for carrying stuff and people and towing a trailer. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 7:04pm
Lexus is giving you wrong information. If the vehicle is rated to 3500, the law requires brakes to be working if they are on the trailer. In NC, a house trailer (I read that to include camping trailers) of 1,000 lbs or more is legally required to have brakes controlled by the driver of the tow vehicle. Other states say that any trailer over 3,000 lbs must have brakes. That includes Washington. If Lexus gives the vehicle a 3500 lb tow rating, and if the law states trailers over 3000 lbs requires brakes, then Lexus needs to install a brake controller.

Now, I do agree that the Lexus is marginal for the task though. You would be better served with a vehicle of higher tow capacity.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 4:07pm
+1 to Offgrid, vehicle is not right.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 1:02pm
For the record, I agree with Lexus, the trailer you have is too heavy for a 3500 lb rated tow vehicle. 

That being said, you should be able to have any trailer shop install a brake controller for you if you want to proceed, its not difficult. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 2020 at 11:12am
The parts have been obtained and taken to Lexus. Lexus "is not allowed to install" something that will assist with braking because that would encourage/allow Lexus owners of this vehicle to tow something greater than 3500 pounds, which is the maximum towing capacity of this vehicle. Lexus specifically said this equipment is not required to tow a vehicle 3500 pounds or less, so they wouldn't install it. Interesting.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Sep 2020 at 5:39am
I would be inclined to go somewhere else if you've been to uhaul already and they didn't get you set up right. Uhaul places are hit or miss in their expertise and focus on that part of their business. Many are just rental locations with some trucks and trailers on a lot. 

Regardless of who you have put it in, you as the driver need to understand what a brake controller does and how to set it up properly and confirm it and your trailer brakes are working as they should. Its not hard, just part of what you need to know to tow safely. So, after you get your rig back from whoever, get out the manual, go to a big empty parking lot and do the set up and test procedure yourself before your next trip. 
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