lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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Don't you just hate it when people try to put words in your mouth??
John S. wrote: snip..snip....IF a 3000 or even 4K toad is stopping your coach then there is a problem....... snip, snip.....I will wait till this degenerates into another argument but it will be fun to watch.
John, if you are referring to my reply and don't want this to degenerate into an argument, then make sure you quote correctly. I never said a thing about "stopping" our coach! I repeat,
Quote:Posted By: lanerd on 07/17/09 11:42am
I could feel the toad (even tho it's only 3200 lbs) pulling back on me and staying straight as an arrow.
"Pulling back on me" is a loooong way from stopping me. Don't you agree?
If you are not referring to my reply, I humbly apologize.
My coach is about 25,000 lbs, the toad is 3200....that's about 13%. My US Gear system is proportional and yes I can feel the toad pulling on me during hard braking. It's not a hard pull, in fact, only a slight tug...but nevertheless, I can feel it.
I'm sure you already know this, so for others info, because a toad is pulling back during braking, it keeps the tow bar as well as the toad in a straight line. Without a toad brake, and under hard braking, the toad will try to move the tow bar (and the front of the toad) up and over the top of the hitch, or down and under unless the tow bar is absolutely parallel between the coach and toad.
John S. wrote:one time I had the brakes locked and I pulled it down the road about a 100 feet till the kids called and asked what that noise was. I did not notice it but I did leave a nice set of black marks
I suspect here when you said you had the brakes locked that you in reality only had the parking brake locked (rear wheels only). I also suspect that your jeep is probably about 60/40 in weight distribution so having the rear brakes locked means you were only only dragging about 1500 lbs (or less) of resistance. I'm sure I wouldn't feel that either even though my coach is quite a bit smaller and lighter than yours. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35
Toad: Restored 86 Toy 4x4 P/U
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Brakes: Unified
TPMS: Pressure Pro
RETIRED!! How sweet it is....
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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NO I had a break buddy and it was locked on for all the breaks. I have a ISM and weigh about 38000 pounds. I got it for the Bornfree. It is lite and it needs a break if you tow a wrangler.
On the FT It locked up and I also had two other friends who own FT have issues with tow brakes and have had to replace many parts due to brake lock up. Heck there was a post on here not too long ago that said the same thing. I am not saying that you do not feel it as I feel it workign on the Bornfree as it stops faster when it activates. It does not make any difference in my tests on the Foretravel though. I did not feel it or even noticed working behind the Foretravel. I know I will not change minds on here but tow breaks are not needed on many rigs.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
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tommy wilson
southern ca, usa
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i have used a brake buddy for 12 years and notice when it comes on. this trip the bb broke so i had to finish the last 2 days without the bb. it took longer to stop so now i will be repairing the bb before my next trip.
tommy wilson
1996 kountrystar dp
spartan mountainmaster chassis
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Dog Trainer
Richmond Mi.
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For the amount of money I spent, And the peace of mind it gives me, I am glad I have a proportional braking system on the HHR. Anyone and I repeat anyone that does not think that a properly set up brake system, will not stop quicker than without is dreaming.
BTW it would be great to turn this question over to Myth Busters let them take direct stopping measurment with and without tow brakes.
93 Airstream 35' Dp
5.9 230 uprated to 300 HP
Allison MD 3060
Dutchess and Shadow (fur Bearing Children)
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mccartydwight
Hansville, WA
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http://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/map.html
Here's a link everyone should check out. Read everything carefully especially the Federal Regulation part. Appears to me toads are included in the definition.
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haveTCwillboondockUS
not on the interstate
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dont use auxilary brakes on your toad, get in a freak accident where someone snaps a photo, and it WILL be posted on RV.net.
its good that we all agree to use them. 'cause that ^^^^^ thread is a comin!
The Ironworker and His Conscience
2008 MegaCab Hemi
2001 Sun-Lite SkyHawk PU TC
2008 Dodge 2500 CTD - The Time Machine
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Moved from class A forum
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WTD44
Ca.
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lanerd wrote:
IMO, anyone who has a toad and does not have a braking system is an accident waiting to happen.... If it is a state law (where ever your home state is), there should be mandatory inspections, during registration, to insure you are abiding.
Ron
While I can agree with your statement that every one towing should have a braking system, I certainly cannot agree that everyone who does not have a braking system is "an accident waiting to happen" What statistics do you have that shows this to be a fact? I have been towing "stuff" for almost 50 years, and a majority of the time never had brakes on the towed vehicle. (They wern't invented yet")
As far as the argument that you need them "in case the toad breaks loose---give me a break!! This is more rare than getting hit by lighting!! Everyone has a certain tolerance for risk. If you have a low tolerance, by all means get a toad braking system. However, that assumes you never take any risk , in other areas, while driving. AND, it certainly doesn't guarantee that you will always be able to stop in time.
IMHO, I am far less likly to have an accident (without toad brakes) than 50 % of the people driving big motorhomes. Many of them have no idea of what the H/// they are doing.
Let the fun begain
'07 H.R. Scepter 40 ' PDQ
Cummins 400 ISL
Alison 6 speed World
08 CR-V
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horizon451
Henderson, NV
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Joined: 02/19/2006
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Having the auxiliary braking system on my toad does make a difference. You don't really notice it until you forget to plug in the air line and get to your first stop sign. That's when you discover your rig is not stopping as well.
I would not travel without a toad brake! You do stop in a shorter distance and there could be a time when the extra stopping power could be the difference between hitting something and not. And since I'm in the front, I don't want to hit the back of a truck, or a bridge, cross traffic etc.
I also thought that toad brakes were required in most states. Some require brakes at 1500 lbs and others are higher. There is no formal check, unless you have an accident and then the LEO will look for your aux brake. If you don't have one you could get a ticket, or worse, liability for an accident and your insurance carrier denying the claim for lack of required safety equipment.
'02 Itasca Horizon 36LD
'02 Jeep GC toad
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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For those of you that have an open mind, or are in the decision process relative to an supplemental braking system.. here is a thread I recommend you read... Supplemental Brake... Necessity or Preference
You can also find a excellent review of the various types ofSupplemental Braking System in this thread...
JohnnyT Moderator
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