Sway bar & electric brakes needed in Utah with 13’ Scamp ?

[Hopper]

I am going to Utah with a 13’ Scamp, towing it with a Honda H-Rv AWD 4 cyl.
Do I need sway bar?
Will I need electric brakes too?
Scamp is 900lbs. No cabinets in it.
I need some advise because I have been told NO and YES?

[John in Michigan]

same answer as your other identical post:

brakes for sure, and keep the tongue weight 10-15% of total trailer weight to minimize sway

[thrifty bill]

I believe the rules are based on the state you live in/the state on your license plate.

But as always don’t trust what you hear on a forum do your own research. IMHO brakes are always a good idea and IF your trailer is outfitted with brakes that can trigger rules too.

[John in Michigan]

Also all the usual precautions:

- check your trailer weight and tongue weight
- check your vehicle has sufficient tow weight capacity and tongue weight capacity for the trailer

[k0wtz]

this seems to bring out some strong comments I have towed our 13f scamp over 10,000 miles no brakes. scamp sells their 13f with no brakes standard brakes as an option. why would they do this if no brakes are not safe with a 13f.

I use a 2015 ford edge I do not drive over 55mph this is my rule tires are rated for 60mph. when I drive I watch very closely for things occurring in front of me that means no tailgating, if I see a stop light ahead I start way back slowing down, I watch taillights on cars ahead of me,

you do want you want and what you feel safest at my fashion of driving may not work for you. if not by all means put brakes on but I don't know if your trailer is even equipped with brakes.

I have pulled boats much heavier than our scamp say a 20f I/o fiberglass boat no brakes with no problems. you must use common sense anything you tug remember you have something attached to your car it requires common sense!

most state laws by the way call for 55mph speeds be safe out there!

bob

[John in Michigan]

Braking is all about physics. You can probably get by with towing a lightweight trailer without brakes with a lightweight vehicle for a while in the flats of the Midwest. In the Rockies, not so much.

[Glenn Baglo]

The descent from the Coquihalla highway summit, heading west, is 17 kilometers long.

[Hopper]

Interesting comments, all good.
The 13’ Scamp does not come with brakes. I agree about focusing on drivers & looking far ahead on road. Breaking slowly is best of course. I am getting a sway bar!

[John in Michigan]

For our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in 2015 (towed a puny Boler 13 with a 2011 Ford Escape) we didn't have a sway bar and the trailer NEVER swayed. But boy were we glad we added the brakes!

2011 Ford Escape - 3400 lbs curb weight
Honda HR V - 3100 lbs curb weight

[Hopper]

Ok, now I am getting nervous about this... if no breaks on Scamp, I am assuming they can be added, yes?

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Hopper

I am going to Utah with a 13’ Scamp, towing it with a Honda H-Rv AWD 4 cyl.
Do I need sway bar?
Will I need electric brakes too?
Scamp is 900lbs. No cabinets in it.
I need some advise because I have been told NO and YES?

Honda HR-V???

Check your owner's manual. I'm wondering if it has any tow rating at all (a google search turned up zip). If you're searching the internet for information beware of web sites based outside North America. Ratings there do not apply here. The only source that matters is your manual.

You're going to eventually have to put something inside your Scamp to use it as a travel trailer, and it will likely weigh more like 1500 pounds on the road. The larger CR-V has a tow rating of 1500 pounds and makes a marginal but effective tow vehicle for a 13' Scamp, provided you pack both vehicle and trailer lightly. I can't imagine the smaller HR-V having a higher rating.

EDIT- just checked, and p. 319 of the 2017 owner's manual says, "Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your warranties." Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I think this is a wash, with or without brakes.

[John in Michigan]

Carla, if there are brake mounting plates (about 5 inches square) behind each wheel, then brakes can be added. If the axle doesn't have brake mounting plates and if the axle is more than 20 years old, the axle is probably due for replacement. If that's the case, just order a new axle with brakes.

[thrifty bill]

From what I have read, Honda HRV has zero tow rating...

Trumping the manufacturers limits seems foolish to me. Utah has some long grades by the way.

[John in Michigan]

From what I understand you might be just fine towing a 1500 lb Scamp without brakes with an F150. People do this in the Midwest. But some may disagree.

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by k0wtz

...... most state laws by the way call for 55mph speeds be safe out there!

bob

By "most states" do you mean California?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Hopper

Ok, now I am getting nervous about this... if no breaks on Scamp, I am assuming they can be added, yes?

You don't say what year Scamp you have.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

By "most states" do you mean California?

They do seem to think that!

[Hopper]

Ok, let’s not be getting into Midwesterner jokes just yet. (: I have checked with Honda service Dept. And they are putting on my trailer hitch and have told me the
Car tows 2K. It also,says this in my Honda booklet . It’s a 2016 H-RV AWD. So, I am ok so far to tow. I need to check with the Rv guy that is doing my wheel bearings, and checking it all out for me Monday about electric breaks. Which at this point, I want !

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by floyd

You don't say what year Scamp you have.

My Scamp is a 1978 totally refurbished.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

From what I have read, Honda HRV has zero tow rating...

Trumping the manufacturers limits seems foolish to me. Utah has some long grades by the way.

Thankfully this is not true. They tow 2K.