toad setup, brakes needed?

[OregonTravel]

We decided to buy a toad. We found a 2014 Honda CRV with 88K miles. I am researching base plates and tow bars and whatever else I need.

I have heard different opinions about actually needing the brake actuating equipment for the Honda. It weighs between 4000 and 5000 lbs. I'd like to hear what experienced toaders (if that's a term) think about towing with or without the honda having it's brakes actuated.

Also, how difficult is it to set up the car? The previous owner towed a small pickup using Roadmaster. Should I assume the Ventana has what it needs and all I would need is the equipment for the Honda?

I am more likely to go back to the hitch place that set me up to tow a trailer but if it's doable I would consider doing it myself.

Thank you

[d23haynes57]

Yes! The Towed will need brakes. Legally and also behind the Ventana.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Take a look at NSA ReadyBrake systems. Simple and quick to hook up or take off.

Lots of other systems out there also, but definitely get something.

[txcpl]

We tow a 2013 CRV, and we don't even know it's behind the coach. However, that CRV adds 4000+/- lbs to the braking system of the coach, resulting in longer brake times and distances. When you are traveling at highway speeds, and there is a need for quick braking, the braking action of the coach along with the individual braking action of the CRV, gives you the best option for a quicker controlled stop. Not to mention that brakes are required in many, if not most states at that weight.

[Isaac-1]

Brakes are legally required for trailers (towed cars) in that weight range in most states, only a handful of states allow towing of over 4,000 pounds without some type of break away braking system, a couple of states require it at as low as 1,500 pounds, a few have no weight limit, but instead base the requirement for trailer brakes on stopping distance. Many states have 3,000+ as their limit, which is the number you will find often mentioned online.


Almost all modern TOAD cars weigh over 2,000 pounds (Smart Car is the lightest common TOAD at around 1,800), 6 states set their requirement for brakes at 2,000 pounds or less, this makes it so if you travel much you will likely run into legally needing a braking system, even for a lightweight TOAD car. We tow a 2,300 pound Toyota Yaris, so could mostly get away legally without brakes, but we don't, then of course there are those odd states like Mississippi and Ohio that have a 1,500 pound brake requirement.

[jacwjames]

When I set up first Jeep in 2010 I went with the Brakemaster 9160 for the toad. It has worked well, really no complaints.


I just acquired a 2015 Jeep Cherokee already set up to tow and the seller threw in the RVi3 braking system. The RVi3 is a small suitcase size braking system that works on inertia that applies the brake using a small compressor to activate the air cylinder.



It looks a good system but I have not towed it yet. The RVi3 comes with the remote display that I can put in the coach, it shows the braking and voltage of the toad's battery. Time will tell whether I like it.

I am going to keep the Brakemaster and may install it if I'm not satisfied with the RVi3.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Brakes are legally required for trailers (towed cars) in that weight range in most states, only a handful of states allow towing of over 4,000 pounds without some type of break away braking system, a couple of states require it at as low as 1,500 pounds, a few have no weight limit, but instead base the requirement for trailer brakes on stopping distance. Many states have 3,000+ as their limit, which is the number you will find often mentioned online.


Almost all modern TOAD cars weigh over 2,000 pounds (Smart Car is the lightest common TOAD at around 1,800), 6 states set their requirement for brakes at 2,000 pounds or less, this makes it so if you travel much you will likely run into legally needing a braking system, even for a lightweight TOAD car. We tow a 2,300 pound Toyota Yaris, so could mostly get away legally without brakes, but we don't, then of course there are those odd states like Mississippi and Ohio that have a 1,500 pound brake requirement.

Also note that while states must honor the issuing states driver's requirements, I.E. you can drive your 45' 50,000 Diesel pusher on your IOWA DL (which has no special requirements for a large motorhome) in California which requires a rating for that type of vehicle. You must adhere to the state's equipment requirements. So, if you are driving in a state that requires braking on a "trailer" weighing more than 1500# then you must have breaking even if your state does not require breaking for any weight trailer.

[VentanaOdyssey]

My question is why would you not want a Toad braking system?

[Dutch Star Don]

We started out with the Demco Air Force 1 toad braking system back in 2007. It's a proportional braking system that connects to the coach air brakes. It's the only system I will use as I always tow a truck behind the coach. I also use nothing but Roadmaster products. NEVER had an issue.

With that said, one year we bought a 2014 CRV to tow cross country for nine weeks. It was just big enough for four adults. That was the only toad I truly could not feel back there. Your coach has sufficient braking to handle the CRV. However, the law requires a braking system, and you want that system to include a "break away" setup in case the CRV breaks away from the coach.

My point.... you don't need anything exotic. If you want to stay on a budget and not have to install a separate brake system, look at the NSA Ready Brute system. The braking is a surge brake built into the tow bar. The surge brake is like what a boat trailer uses. As you slow, the trailer/toad pushes on the rear of the coach and towbar which applies the brakes via a cable pulling on the toad brake pedal.

NSA unit comes with a "break away". You can also set the braking power really low so that it only comes on in an emergency stop.

The only downside, the system as it comes stock, has a jumble of cables and connections that you have to get set up correctly and keep them from catching on each other and other items.

This is the NSA system installed on a Jeep....a lot going on. The coiled safety cables make it look really busy, but this is how the system comes stock.

[shootist]

Brakes and a break-away cable are absolutely required. You'll possibly find yourself
Unable to ever acquire insurance again if you ever get cited or worse get in an accident. And overloading your coach brakes will cause a lot of wear on them, do it right!

[Rev. Roy]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

Brakes are legally required for trailers (towed cars) in that weight range in most states, only a handful of states allow towing of over 4,000 pounds without some type of break away braking system, a couple of states require it at as low as 1,500 pounds, a few have no weight limit, but instead base the requirement for trailer brakes on stopping distance.

Almost all modern TOAD cars weigh over 2,000 pounds (Smart Car is the lightest common TOAD at around 1,800), 6 states set their requirement for brakes at 2,000 pounds or less, this makes it so if you travel much you will likely run into legally needing a braking system, even for a lightweight TOAD car. We tow a 2,300 pound Toyota Yaris, so could mostly get away legally without brakes, but we don't, then of course there are those odd states like Mississippi and Ohio that have a 1,500 pound brake requirement.

I've lives in Ohio over 70 years and Oho is a little goofy in that their requirement for trailer brakes is over 2000 lbs. empty weight. Many think it's a GVWR of 2000 lbs. but that's not how it reads. For towed vehicles it is based upon stopping distance but most troopers go with a 3000 lbs. or more as a guide. I'm Friends with several former troopers.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by VentanaOdyssey

My question is why would you not want a Toad braking system?

Only reason I can see would be a money saving reason, but certainly not a safety reason.

Plus like someone stated, it’s the law in several states.

[Alpine36]

Two things you should always have with you on the road.

1) A fistful of credit cards/cash
2) Operable toad brakes with breakaway feature

And don’t forget the corkscrew…

[oldenavy]

Yes, you need a braking system. It does two things for you:
1) helps slow/stop your rig so MH brakes don’t work quite as hard
2) engages if your tow bar fails and you get a runaway toad. Yes, that happens sometimes.

Also required by law in most states.