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05-27-2012, 07:23 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 30
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Braking system necessary?
We bought a Honda CRV to pull behind our gas MH. When we went to outfit it for towing the (blue ox) sales rep suggested we skip the (patriot) breaking system, saying it just isn't necessary. Any advice?
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05-27-2012, 07:31 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Golden Village Palms, CA
Posts: 1,988
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Yes, find a new sales rep.
Toad brakes are not only necessary, but you will be breaking the law in some states towing without them.
The real question should be "What auxiliary brake system should I get?"
__________________
John
'98 Gulf Stream Sunsport 325, 7.5L Banks Power Pack, Koni FSD's, Air Bags, ReadyBrute Elite,
2000 Honda Accord
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05-27-2012, 07:33 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wherever the rig is parked
Posts: 8,092
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ncylee
We bought a Honda CRV to pull behind our gas MH. When we went to outfit it for towing the (blue ox) sales rep suggested we skip the (patriot) breaking system, saying it just isn't necessary. Any advice?
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Depending on the braking power of your MH you might get away with it. However, at least 4 states (and some Canadian Provinces, I think) require toad brakes regardless of towed weight etc. See Toad Brake Requirements. Most states have a minimum braking distance requirement which averages 40 feet from 20mph. That means stopping inside the length of most MH/tow vehicle combinations.
We tow a Honda Fit (2650 pounds, 1000 lighter than your CRV) behind our Thor ACE and any time the Brakebuddy is non operational for any reason I can immediately tell the difference, usually when pulling up sharply at a sudden red light.
Bottom line, get an auxiliary brake system or please publish your itinerary so I am never in front of you at an intersection 
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05-27-2012, 07:35 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SOUTH LOUISIANA(GOD'S COUNTRY)
Posts: 645
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You may be breaking the laws in some states, but not in most states.
__________________
07 PHAETON, FREIGHTLINER, CAT, FOUR SLIDES, JEEP WRANGLER TOAD
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05-27-2012, 07:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Do you plan to travel? Most states require brakes on towed vehicles. Your CRV weighs somewhere around 3400 lbs. Even if your state law doesn't require it, Law of physics says 'body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.' (brakes)
In a panic stop, you don't want a 3400 lb weight pushing you into the accident. Insurance companies don't like it, Lawyers LOVE it, they make boat payments on that kind of negligence. Also, some states require break-a-way brakes, to stop the towed vehicle if it breaks away.
Never trust what a salesman tells you!!
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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05-27-2012, 09:05 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3,198
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you need em. I really can't tell the difference from the drivers seat of the knight, can't even tell the jeep is there...
But if I ever leave her behind...
the stay n play braking system will stop the jeep in it's tracks.
Don't forget breakaway porotection, that is the biggie in my book.
I got no use for a 3400 pound, 65 mph, unguided missile trailing in my wake,...
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05-28-2012, 04:50 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 30
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Thank you! This is what we were thinking. Helps to have it confirmed by people more experienced than us.
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05-28-2012, 07:00 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: st.charles mo.
Posts: 1,482
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The old saying ( It's better to have and not need than to need and not have)
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05-28-2012, 07:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,968
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ncylee
We bought a Honda CRV to pull behind our gas MH. When we went to outfit it for towing the (blue ox) sales rep suggested we skip the (patriot) breaking system, saying it just isn't necessary. Any advice?
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The salesman may not think brakes are necessary but the chassis builders do. Both Ford and Workhorse "Highly Recommend" auxillary brakes on anything towed that weighs over 1,500 lbs. Neither gets into the semantics as to whether a towed vehicle is a trailer. They both just say anything over 1,500 lbs should have brakes.
__________________
Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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05-28-2012, 07:42 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Clarksville, TN
Posts: 226
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You'll find that people who have brakes say they are necessary and those who don't, the opposite. Probably a good idea, but my hitch installer said I don't need them and so far he has been right, with over 10,000 miles over all kinds of mountains including those around Yellowstone.
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05-28-2012, 07:56 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Avon Lake, Oh
Posts: 2,958
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You maybe breaking the law if you don't have a braking system.
__________________
2000 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR
40 FT--330HP CAT
2 SLIDES-TOAD 2012 focus
Fulltime-Home is where we park it.
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05-28-2012, 08:24 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,875
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If you don't have a brake system on your toad...please don't follow me! 
__________________
2001 National Tradewinds 7370 300 Cat
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
Officially fulltiming. The Journey Begins 
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05-28-2012, 08:32 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pipe Creek, TX
Posts: 688
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You most likely don't need one until the accident and the lawyers become involved! I won't go around the block without mine.
We use a Roadmaster 9160, it's a very compact pneumatic actuator that is easily installed and removed and is much easier on the wallet than some of the other units.
Dennis
__________________
Dennis & Debbie Z (Retired) F415847
Pipe Creek, TX
2008 HR Endeavor 40PDQ / 2015 RAM 1500 Toad
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05-28-2012, 08:40 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padre44
You'll find that people who have brakes say they are necessary and those who don't, the opposite. Probably a good idea, but my hitch installer said I don't need them and so far he has been right, with over 10,000 miles over all kinds of mountains including those around Yellowstone.
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10,000 miles means nothing, if in the next 100 feet a child wanders into the road. You don't need a parachute either, until that final inch. You're breaking the law in more than 13 states. If your toad weighs more than 3000 lbs, it needs brakes in Tennessee too!
A hitch installer is a salesman, see earlier posts.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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