Gwyn:
If you driving south on 101 from Los Gatos to Santa Monica, just north
of San Luis Obispo you will encounter a 7% grade, "Cuesta Grade". You
might want to stop at the truck brake-check area which will get you in
a situation where you can get your tow vehicle into a lower gear before
starting down the grade. That grade goes on for about 3 curvy miles so
you will build up a lot of speed and if brakes are not there for you,
it will get truly exciting to slow the trailer down to a manageable
speed. There is a truck lane for slow moving vehicle so you could drive
there in 2nd gear (or "Low") or whatever you have). But you definitely
don't want to get to the top of that grade in regular driving gear and
then try to control everything with the tow vehicle brakes along -
you'll smoke 'em.
I'll send you my phone number by private email if you'd like. I live
in San Luis Obispo which is the town at the base of Cuesta Grade.
Jo Ann