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04-02-2013, 04:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: VA
Posts: 4
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tow bar etc
I am new to rving, being told a lot by dealer not sure if it is all needed. I wanted a tow bar and safety chains and electrical hookup for towed vehicle lights (expensive) now he says I should have braking system to help slow down the coach. I have read where this is not necessary. can anyone tell me what they have done. I would appreciate it
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04-02-2013, 05:01 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 436
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Most states require you to have supplemental braking for vehicles over 3,000 lbs. By the way welcome to the forum. You'll get lots of input here.
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Gary & Janet
'12 American Eagle
'06 Jeep Wrangler
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04-02-2013, 06:09 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Yes, it seems expensive to set up a car for towing, but it's more convenient than renting or walking! Your car will need a base plate, the 'anchoring' points for the tow bar to hook up to. Then the tow bar, safety chains, harness to wire lights on the 'toad' AND a braking system. Not only many states require a braking system, PHYSICS requires it. You don't want to try a panic stop with a couple thousand pounds of metal and plastic pushing you.
You can look at the following links for information about what it takes to tow a car or truck.
Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924
HitchSource.com | Trailer Hitch Accessories, RV Hitches & Racks
Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories
Blue Ox Products
Readybrake RV Tow Bars and RV Surge Braking Systems for Car Towing - NSA RV Products
In addition, check Craig's list, eBay, and Hitch Trader - Buy - Sell -Trade - Free Classified Ads and places like it to find used equipment.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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04-03-2013, 01:02 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 181
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etrailer (etrailer.com) folks have good prices and excellent service. It's a pain to initially set up
your toad, but well worth the effort and cost.
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04-03-2013, 01:49 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Welcome!
Another alternative is to buy a vehicle already setup as a toad. Craigslist, the classified section here in the forum, etc. are sources.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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04-03-2013, 05:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,193
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Quote:
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now he says I should have braking system to help slow down the coach. I have read where this is not necessary. can anyone tell me what they have done. I would appreciate it
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Obviously, everyone has to make their own choice re: braking systems. There are some states where they are required (probably more if a towd car is considered a trailer), and many manufacturer's urge a brake system be used. Personally, I would not tow a car behind our motorhome without a braking system.
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04-03-2013, 06:34 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Full-timers - Home is where we park it.
Posts: 4,722
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morgenegg
I am new to rving, being told a lot by dealer not sure if it is all needed. I wanted a tow bar and safety chains and electrical hookup for towed vehicle lights (expensive) now he says I should have braking system to help slow down the coach. I have read where this is not necessary. can anyone tell me what they have done. I would appreciate it
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Even if your state doesn't require a supplemental braking system, having one is a good idea. The coach brakes are designed to stop the coach. Yes, the coach will also stop the car, but you will stop in a shorter distance with supplemental braking. Do you want to stop 10' short of the semi that stopped abruptly right in front of you or do you want to take a chance that you won't be able to stop until you are 10' into his trailer?
Most supplemental braking systems also have a breakaway feature that will stop your toad if it happens to break away. I know it's unlikely, but it does happen.
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04-03-2013, 03:38 PM
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#8
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,794
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I too agree that a braking system for the toad is an absolute must!
I would highly recommend the ReadyBrute Elite tow bars with built-in ReadyBrake. It is excellent and will save you hundreds of dollars over most other systems on the market!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!  
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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04-03-2013, 04:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 289
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Do you want to risk being held liable$$$ if you are involved in an accident and the authorities see that you have an unbraked toad? You can bet that the other guy's insurance company will try and blame you for the accident no matter who gets the ticket.
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Jim
2019 Lance 975
2019 Ford F350
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04-03-2013, 05:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 901
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Quote:
Originally Posted by morgenegg
I am new to rving, being told a lot by dealer not sure if it is all needed. I wanted a tow bar and safety chains and electrical hookup for towed vehicle lights (expensive) now he says I should have braking system to help slow down the coach. I have read where this is not necessary. can anyone tell me what they have done. I would appreciate it
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You didn't mention what kind of toad you have ? Check your manual first off to see if your toad is toe-able 4 down..
__________________
Bob & Karen & Buddy "yourkie"
2008 Winnebago 39W Destination DP
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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