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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: 49
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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: 49
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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: 154
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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.
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2001 Sea View 31' F53 1 slide
96 4Runner 4x4 toad M&G Brakes Remco disconnect
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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: 49
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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
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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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Community Moderator
Gulf Streamers Club Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 8,263
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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.
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Mike, Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, RV Merchandiser; Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser w/ Banks & 2 toads
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12-09-2007, 03:20 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
Posts: 3,440
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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.
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'02 Journey DL, 36GD, 330 CAT. '08 Explorer Toad, Blue Ox Aventa II, Air Force One Toad Brake.
Smith Mountain Lake, 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: 707
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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: 939
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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.
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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: 6,933
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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.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910,
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
Workhorse Chassis Owner National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 819
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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.
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'05 NRV Dolphin 5342 Workhorse W22 8.1L UltraPower, '07 Chevy HHR Tow'd
Animal, mineral, or vegetable? Chocolate is a vegetable. Eat your veggies.
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12-11-2007, 04:51 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: DIberville, MS
Posts: 105
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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.
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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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