Community Forums

Dan DeBruin · 12-02-2012, 11:06 AM

I know you should not be using the jake/exhaust brake if the weather is not good but I thought I heard something here a while ago about not using it with a toad. I can't think of why, if you have a toad braking system but wanted to check what others thought/did.

Thanks

Steve Ownby · 12-02-2012, 11:15 AM

The problem is this:

If you have a braking system in your tow vehicle that uses the coach brake lights for the signal to turn on, and your coach turns on the brakes lights when the exhaust or compression brake is active, then you run the risk of the tow vehicle brakes being engaged for a prolonged period when on a long down hill. If your engine brake doesn't turn on your brake lights or if your supplemental system in your tow vehicle doesn't turn on with the coach brake lights then you are fine.

KSCRUDE · 12-02-2012, 11:25 AM

You need it more with the toad then without, due to the added weight pushing you. I don't even have a brake controller in my rig as it came without a controller. I am pulling a heavy steel trailer now with a heavy jeep sometimes and I have no problem stopping by using the tow haul mode in the ford F53. Have a new lightweight aluminum tilt trailer being built, and specked with surge brakes so I will need no controller and it will work behind a toad or any vehicle also. With the jakes on the semi trucks we use the service brakes very little. As long as road is not iced you will be fine. Use the jake and save them brakes for when u really need them!

mel s · 12-02-2012, 02:29 PM

IMO, if your tow bar is as close to level as recommended and you have no aux toad braking system, (or if your aux brake system has a "time out" feature so the toad brakes don't stay on down long grades), there is no reason not to use the exhaust brake when towing.
Mel
'96 Safari Sahara, 101k miles towing, 75%+ of disc brake pads remaining......'07 ION toad

Qwert66 · 12-02-2012, 02:56 PM

We do it all the time with a Blue Ox Patriot brake system in the TOAD which works off g-force. Normally with a sensitivy of 5 on the toad it never comes on when decending down a 5% grade with Jake on.
As mentioned earlier depends on your tow system and what initiates it.
No correct answer for how you ask it.

rvrepairnut · 12-02-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwert66

We do it all the time with a Blue Ox Patriot brake system in the TOAD which works off g-force. Normally with a sensitivy of 5 on the toad it never comes on when decending down a 5% grade with Jake on.
As mentioned earlier depends on your tow system and what initiates it.
No correct answer for how you ask it.

you have a jake brake on a 1999 8.3? Iam pretty sure those only came with the exhaust Brake assist system?