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12-08-2007, 12:38 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Highland Ca.
Posts: 80
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Hi I have a Ford Focus that weighs in at about 2200 lbs. Do I need a supplemental braking system and if so what make I will be towing it with a gas powered MotorHome. Any help will be greatfull, Thanks Ken
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12-08-2007, 12:38 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Highland Ca.
Posts: 80
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Hi I have a Ford Focus that weighs in at about 2200 lbs. Do I need a supplemental braking system and if so what make I will be towing it with a gas powered MotorHome. Any help will be greatfull, Thanks Ken
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12-08-2007, 01:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 509
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Don't know what your towing with but my Ford manual says anything over 1500 lbs needs brakes. I use a M&G unit and would recommend it to any one who asks but there are many out there.
I've towed with and with out toad brakes and I can say it's better with them then without. Have a friend with a DP and he can tell when the toad brakes come on and will not tow with out them.
__________________
2001 Sea View 31' F53 1 slide 8310 133,000+mi
2012 Jeep Liberty Smi stay and play Duo brake system
Security by Bentley, KF6HCH, God Bless
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12-08-2007, 02:28 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Highland Ca.
Posts: 80
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I will be towing with a 37ft. SeaBreeze on a Workhorse W24, So just is a M&G or a DP unit,
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12-08-2007, 02:30 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 11
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I suggest you get toad brakes. I have a gas 37 foot MH and can really tell the difference with my Isuzu Trooper. I have the US Gear system and am very pleased. It uses the toad vacuum to power the toad brakes.
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12-08-2007, 11:35 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Frederick Md.
Posts: 453
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US Gear also. Will not tow without brakes
__________________
2007 Monaco Camelot 40 PAQ
2007 JK 4Door Jeep
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12-09-2007, 01:37 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Better to have and not need than to need and not have. IF the state you are in requires them by law and you have an accident the insurer may not want to pay a claim if you are not leagal.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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12-09-2007, 03:20 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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I used to tow a Focus (wish I still had it). I used a Blue Ox Apollo brake system. While the Focus is light, the supplemental braking system will give you breakaway protection. I now use the Air Force One system by SMI but that is for DP's with air brakes. SMI makes other systems and I would recommend you look into those.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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12-09-2007, 06:52 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AZ & MT snowbirds
Posts: 731
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We have the US Gear Unified Braking System. Although we have a DP, we do not have air bags, air suspension nor air brakes on the MH. We have hydraulic. So US Gear works for us. And Monaco (and some others) pre-wires for the Unified Braking System. The break-away system is peace of mind.
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12-11-2007, 10:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,168
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M&G here!!! One very slick and well built product. Don't take chances, you need a brake system, and like someone said earlier if you have an accident your insurance could have issues paying your claim if you were in violation of a state law. Why take risk it.
__________________
Charles and Martha*2008 Monaco Signature FMCA #F388752*GoodSam Life Member 2007 Ford Explorer - Toad
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12-11-2007, 12:31 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi Ken,
Read this then decide. I am in the will not tow without a supplemental brake system for the toad camp. I have USGear and would make the purchase again.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-11-2007, 01:31 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 1,056
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Besides the legal issue, there is a lot of force through your tow bar and hitch points if the car is not restrained in a hard stop.
The brake systems mentioned above are good. A lower-cost option would be the ReadyBrake which is a hitch surge-activated mechanical system. When installed and adjusted properly, it works well, is totally proportional, and is very simple to maintain. I have been happy with ours.
__________________
2017 Coachmen Orion, Ford Transit 3.7L: previous
'09 Pleasure Way Lexor, '05 NRV Dolphin 5342
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12-11-2007, 04:51 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: DIberville, MS
Posts: 108
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We have the US Gear Unified Tow Brake system and it is a great system. It is a pretty good job to install it, but well worth it, even if you have to pay a shop to install it.
__________________
2007 Allegro 34WA
Unified Tow Brake, Ultra Trac Rear Track Bar,PI/EMS-HW50C
2006 Saturn Vue
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12-11-2007, 07:33 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 205
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Me too! The Ready Brake with tow bar.
Not hard to install either. I did mine along with the Demco base plate in an easy day on an 06 Saturn Vue.
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