| Author | Message | ||
| Leslie Robinson (Lesr44)
Registered Member Username: Lesr44 Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 205.250.196.10 Rating: N/A |
this says it all no argument http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/vehicle_inspections/PDF/MV3230.pdf | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1369 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160  Rating: N/A |
Leslie - Yep, it sure does - if your bus conversion has a GVWR LESS than 5500 kg, which is 12,125 lbs. Most buses are in the 32,000 lb + range of GVWR, so that portion doesn't apply. As for toads, if it weighs OVER 4400 lbs, you need some type of break-away braking system, but if it's under, you don't. Pretty simple, really. FWIW & HTH. . . | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1231 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.120.242  Rating: N/A |
Nice Fact sheet, thanks! Too bad every Province and State doesn't publish one of these... Too bad every Province and State can't get their heads together and standardize these things... oh well.. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 152 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 209.50.73.55 Rating: N/A |
Even if it says 4400lbs no brakes required what about the laws of physics. Panic stop at 60mph 4400lbs becomes a LOT more. What about the legal and moral issues of killing somebody just because you didn't have some sort of auxillary braking and the extra weight pushed you into their vehicle. This subject has been debated over and over so I guess it all boils down to the individual and his way of doing things. I for one had a narrow escape about 20 years ago with our bus going down a hill and all of a sudden the traffic stops. I stopped alright but not by much. My buses brakes are bigger then most as they are transit type so I shouldn't have had a problem but I could feel the car pushing. I have had auxillary brakes ever since. This post should stir up a lot of contraversy but it is up to the individual. Bill | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1235 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.120.242 Rating: N/A |
Just thought of something... Along the same lines as too much waste tank, too much AC, too much heating, and too much engine power... You're not likely to hear of someone complaining they have too much braking....? The opposite, however, is heard regularly. Couple hundred bucks and some fun installing it all might be worth it, never mind the regulations and their exceptions? happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.230.113 Rating: N/A |
never mind the regulations and their exceptions, Use physics instead , we tow a 2000 lb VW Rabbit and never worry. FF | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1370 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160 Rating: N/A |
Fast Fred wrote: "Use physics instead , we tow a 2000 lb VW Rabbit and never worry." For exactly the same reason, I'm looking for a 5-spd VW Jetta TDI or 1.8T Wagon. . . Bill - 4400 lbs is equal to about 30 people riding on your bus, about half of what it probably carried during peak hours in revenue service. Transit brakes are designed for full seated + standing loads, you shouldn't have any problems. Do you not have/use a Jake? FWIW & HTH. . .  | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 223 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
I am with Fred and RJ. I have this problem and a nice one to have, on which one of our Jetta's do I mount the towbar? Which color? Gas or diesel? The one that is color matched to the bus unfortunately is against the fence after the front got somewhat rearranged. 1927 pounds plus towbar weight is easy. Joe. | ||
| Donnie Daugherty (Dr_detroit)
Registered Member Username: Dr_detroit Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 64.183.128.181  Rating: N/A |
My question here is for the ones that are familiar with the aux braking systems for the towed vehicles. Since almost all modern vehicles have vacuum operated power brakes that are almost useless with the engine off, how much added braking do you actually get with the aux braking system? Is it just a nice feeling that it is there or can you tell that it helps when you brake? Not trying to stir the pot but I have been curious about this. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 278 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.226.39 Rating: N/A |
Some of the units I have seen push on the brake with air from the coach. The vacuum system simply reduces the load , so breaking is light to the touch. The air ram doesn't care a whit about "light" touch. FF | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 153 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 209.50.73.62 Rating: N/A |
RJ I have a Jake brake that I leave turned on most of the time. If you weigh the coach converted it is almost the same weight as full of people. I have used the M&G system for 20 years and really like it. (I have no connection with them.) It is an air system so like FF says it doesn't care about the light touch. Some of the States have a very low weight listing for towed vehicles so if you have a brake system you don't have to worry about any different rules and regulations when you travel. I tow a Dodge Dakota now and it is fairly heavy so I wouldn't think of not having auxillary brakes. Bill | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member Username: Daved Post Number: 202 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 142.46.199.30  Rating: N/A |
I was involved in a collision in bad weather, driving my 3/4 ton pickup towing a snowmobile trailer a little over 1 year ago. The truck was a write-off; I can't help but feel that the accident might have ended differently had the trailer been equipped with brakes (gross weight of trailer and contents was about 1800 lbs). Not anly that, to add insult to injury, the trailer ball sheared off when the truck stopped and the trailer swung round and slapped the driver's door on the truck, doing significant damage to the trailer. | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 154 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 209.50.74.6 Rating: N/A |
David Glad you weren't hurt too bad. That was only 1800lbs. Point taken. Bill | ||
| Dan West (Utahclaimjumper)
Registered Member Username: Utahclaimjumper Post Number: 90 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 208.66.38.60 Rating: N/A |
I also have the M&G air system towing a 4100 Lbs. Jeep liberty, it works great.>>>Dan | ||
| Leslie Robinson (Lesr44)
Registered Member Username: Lesr44 Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 205.250.196.10 Rating: N/A |
for ye who are FMCA members the January issue has "RV Regulations" and can be seen via the web in PDF, but you have to be a member to see them online. It gives DL type, length, height, width, combined length and speed limit for each state and province and territory |