I have a light TOAD (2200 lbs) and have chosen to not install a braking system. I continually look for a used system and am also considering a new surge brake style system.
Regardless if I add brakes to this TOAD, or upgrade somewhere down the line and decide to install brakes on this or a new TOAD, I would do these things and add the additional safety chains and cables. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
These are steps I've taken to prevent a break-away from happening.
The DW and I review and inspect the entire tow system at every hookup and every time we stop. We do this independently, i.e. While I'm filling the gas, she walks around, looks and touches all the pins, clips, chains, locks, etc.
I do the same inspection, we do not inspect together, we do it separately. Before we restart our travel we ask if the other looked at the TOAD. If not, we stop, get out and do it.
I've also added two mechanical items that I rarely see others do, I've bolted one end of a heavy chain to the MH chassis (It loops through a frame lighting hole), the other end is looped through the hitches safety chain loop (the place where the bar safety chains attach). In the event that the entire hitch itself somehow becomes separated from the frame, the chain will hold the hitch to the frame (it won't be pretty, but the TOAD will stay attached to the MH.
I also did the same thing with the TOAD. I used a 1/4 steel cable, ran it trough the cars frame, and through the base plate where the hitch safety chains attach. If the base plate somehow becomes detached, the cable will hold the plate to the car.
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