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02-19-2012, 02:17 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 982
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barrier2 - Being at/above/below GCWR (or GVWR) makes absolutely NO difference to the FACT that adding toad brakes via a toad brake system WILL shorten braking distance/time for the entire rig. That's real world physics.
The religious issue is always - is a "toad" a "trailer" - as most states have "trailer" laws w/o explicitly mentioning if a "toad" is a "trailer".
Take the lawyers out, w/o explicit legal definitions from each state it's a personal choice how to interpret the - is a "toad" a "trailer" - argument and hence the reason why these threads rant and rant and rant.
However, the fact a (properly operating) toad braking system DECREASES overall braking time/distance is NOT refutable.
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02-19-2012, 02:59 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,875
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Another obvious thing is without a toad brake, what happens if your toad breaks away from your rig due to a tow bar or hitch failure? You are launching a 4000 lb unguided vehicle into someone else' path. With your toad brake and a break away system your toad will stop on it's own.
__________________
2001 National Tradewinds 7370 300 Cat
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
Officially fulltiming. The Journey Begins
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02-19-2012, 03:02 PM
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#17
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Cherry Creek, BC Canada
Posts: 7,648
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If you pull it, it is a trailer. If you put the "59" on wheels and haul it behind your motorhome it then becomes a trailer. Albeit one that you probably couldn't move but, still a trailer.
Too many people don't understand the simple laws of inertia.
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02-19-2012, 04:18 PM
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#18
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,942
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DennisZ
Most states actually don't require brakes on a toad even if they require them on trailers.
Dennis
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Dennis, how does the motorhome determine if the load it is towing a trailer full of 4000# of rocks or a 4000# dinghy. I don't think the technology exist.
And per the laws of physics, 4000# of rocks take the same braking energy as a 4000# dinghy.
I think it is silly to try and cheap out on the safety of a braking system by convincing yourself that it is not technically a trailer.
Plus, you really need a break away system on the dinghy because tow bars and hitches have been known to fail.
And, if the dinghy braking systems only stops you 6" shorter, that may be the difference between a near miss and several thousand dollars of damage to multiple vehicles. I learned a long time ago, the two things not to try and go cheap on are brakes and tires.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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02-19-2012, 04:49 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Florida / Georgia / Michigan
Posts: 481
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Short answer is Yes!
When I bought my MH I didn't think I needed them and then started looking at some of the problems if you don't have a supplemental breaking system.
1. They are a safety feature for you and they do make huge difference. Last year coming out of a campground in southern Indiana we jumped on I-65 and about 15 miles up the road a 18 wheeler came around me, while I was driving 65 in the right hand lane He cut right and front of me and continued off the shoulder of the road. He slammed into the guard rail a couple car lengths in front of me. When he slammed into the guardrail I slammed on my brakes and my system probably kept me from hitting the back left of his trailer. The driver was fine but shaken up. Not sure exactly what happened, however he may have fallen asleep or been on his cell phone. I was instantly relieved that I had spent the money on the system. Will never tow without it!
2. Almost every state has a law on supplemental brakes based on weight. Most of them do require system on 3,000# towed trailer or vehicle.
3. If you are towing a vehicle, or trailer, in a state that requires them and you get into an accident and don't have a system you will have insurance problems.
Don't tow without one!
Be safe!
Marc
__________________
Marc & Jan
Molly, Abby & Katie | The Cocker K-9 Kids!|Toad 2014 Cadillac SRX
2012 Berkshire 360FWS, Brake Buddy Vantage|Wineguard Travler SK-3005 |TST 507 TPMS
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02-19-2012, 05:14 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 144
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Thanks for the information everyone. I guess that I need to decide between a Brake Buddy or a Blue Ox Patriot or a Ready Brake? Any advice which is best ? The Patiort and the Brake Buddy seem very similar but the Ready Brake seems quite different. Hard to choose?
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02-19-2012, 05:47 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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There are 3 sets of laws involved
"State" laws (The ones on the books) Many states do require brakes on towed trailers or cars over xxxx pounds.. (xxxx varies from state to state) SOME actually say "Car in tow" Some only say "Trailers" but if you look up what a trailer is, a Car in tow 4-down. fits the description 100% (I know, I did look it up). Some states are not so requiring... Yet...
Laws of Physics: One aux brake maker says it can make up to a 30% difference in stopping distance.. Personally I think they are working very hard to find the precise combination of vehicles where that is the case. But even if it is only 3 percent.
if that 3 percent makes the difference between a safe, controlled stop with no damage, and holes in the front of your rig....
Civil law.. This is fairly uniform over 49 states, but again there is some variation.
If it's my REAR end that has the damage.. I'm going to call some real good lawyers and talk with them about "Reckless Endangerment" and see just how much they can soak you for.
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Home is where I park it!
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02-19-2012, 05:53 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yuma County, AZ
Posts: 10,868
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Why I chose ReadyBrake -- Lowest price, no 30# box to lift in and out of car or store, easy to install and use and great reviews from others here.
__________________
Barb (RVM18) with Morkies Lily & Bebe RIP Sena FMCA#F466348
"Homer" ‘11 Shasta Cynara, pulling "Ranger" '97 Ford Ranger toad
The Journey is Our Destination. Full-timer May 2011 - July 2021
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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02-19-2012, 05:59 PM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 680
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Better to be safe then sorry. The cost of a Toad braking system is not great in relation to the total cost of the RV. We have a air brake system and are much comfortable with it.
JB
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02-19-2012, 06:20 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Debary Fl
Posts: 465
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I'll stay out of this one, execpt to say make sure you comply with the laws in your home state. Otherwise in the event of an accident problems will arise. Just me but I'll take all the brakes I can get
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Bruce Linda and Zoey
1999 ForeTravel U295
012 orange Jeep Wrangler
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02-19-2012, 06:40 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,965
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It really doesn't matter what the state laws say regarding brakes for towed vehicles if you're towing with a gas powered motorhome. Both Ford and Workhorse say supplemental braking is required for anything weighing over 1,500 lbs. Neither company gets into the semantics of whether a towed vehicle is considered a trailer. Both just say: ANYTHING BEING TOWED THAT WEIGHS OVER 1,500 LBS. NEEDS SUPPLEMENTAL BRAKES!!!
__________________
Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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02-19-2012, 06:45 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,173
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My last motor home was a 1999 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 32' Ford gas chassis. I towed a 1996 Acura Integra without supplemental brakes. I towed it about 20,000 miles up and down the east coast of the U.S. The only issue’s was running through several red lights at intersections where I was headed down a steep hill and the stop light caught me at the wrong time. Once in particular, in Boone, NC I boiled the front brake fluid and fortunately for me I cleared the intersection without incident. From that incident forward I treated every stop light with more respect. This year, with a new motorhome and a new toad, I have bought the Brake Buddy—just in case I need to do an emergency stop.
Mike
__________________
NHSO
2021 DSDP 4081
2016 DSDP 4369
2012 DSDP 3734
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02-19-2012, 06:53 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by texnet
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Be aware that Towing World's chart has errors. For example it says that North Carolina has "NO LAWS" when it does indeed. here's what NC law says:
Every semitrailer, trailer, or separate vehicle attached by a drawbar or coupling to a towing vehicle of at least 4,000 lbs, and every house trailer weighing at least 1,000 lbs, shall be equipped with brake controlled or operated by the driver of the towing vehicle.
I have emailed them several times in the past, pointing out the NC State Law (and included a link to the statue) and they have not bothered to corrected the chart.
PHESPE
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02-19-2012, 07:02 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrier2
.......
I believe if the Lawyer on the other side were to state that the Motor Home was well within the correct load capacity lack of a supplemental braking system would not be a valid argument as long as it were below the posted GCWR. Of course this is if the Tow Bar, Hitch, Mounting Brackets were all installed correctly and used properly and if the MH was in good operating condition.
Robert
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How would said lawyer explain away the warning (that many, not all) MH Makers have; eg, supplemental braking required for towed loads greater than 1000 lbs.
Note: I know this is not a exact quote but is the sum and substance of the warnings given by MH manufactures.
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