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Pappageorgia · 02-26-2014, 08:48 AM

Greetings all. Do I really need a dinghy braking system for my CRV? This is all getting expensive. I'm new to the towing world and we just bought a 2004 38' TS with 350 Cummings. Oh, CRV weighs 3400 lbs

Thanks

Pappageorgia

PushedAround · 02-26-2014, 08:55 AM

I'm sure that others will pile-on, but to be safe and probably more importantly to be legal and limit your liability you need to have a braking and break-away system. Your rig should stop ok without toad brakes, but if it should breakaway you could have a real liability problem, and you may be risking non-coverage by your insurer.

dennis45 · 02-26-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PushedAround

I'm sure that others will pile-on, but to be safe and probably more importantly to be legal and limit your liability you need to have a braking and break-away system. Your rig should stop ok without toad brakes, but if it should breakaway you could have a real liability problem, and you may be risking non-coverage by your insurer.

Well said, as far as towing, if not for your camera, you won't know it's there. But, safety and liability are another thing. Just imagine yourself driving down the highway, meeting an on coming Coach and their Toad suddenly pulls out to pass coming head on into your lane. Get the Brake.

Dawgs · 02-26-2014, 09:11 AM

I tow a Honda Accord on a dolly with electric brakes. I'd be more concerned with the ability of the Honda to be towed any distance without transmission damage. Owner's manual recommends towing at speeds below 40 MPH and no longer than 80 miles. This applies to their automatic trans.

dennis45 · 02-26-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawgs

I tow a Honda Accord on a dolly with electric brakes. I'd be more concerned with the ability of the Honda to be towed any distance without transmission damage. Owner's manual recommends towing at speeds below 40 MPH and no longer than 80 miles. This applies to their automatic trans.

The OP does not say what year the The Honda CRV is but my 2013 is Definetly Towable. If you look in the Manual there is specific instruction on the set up procedure prior to towing.

FLman2 · 02-26-2014, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

The OP does not say what year the The Honda CRV is but my 2013 is Definetly Towable. If you look in the Manual there is specific instruction on the set up procedure prior to towing.

Same for the 2014 CRV

OldHatt45 · 02-26-2014, 09:35 AM

Just as an FYI, in almost all States, towing anything in excess of 3,000 requires a Braking System. If you get into an accident, and don't have a braking system on your toad, the insurance company could deny your claim and that would be the second worst thing that could happen. There is a web site that has the current laws summarized in regards to towing. I will try and find it again and either update this post or post the link in a new message later on.

Drew

rag_ftw · 02-26-2014, 04:29 PM

This should help with the law search.
Towing World Official Website

You 38DS04 will not even know the CRV is back there. I tow a 4WD Ranger with my '04 38DS04 with no problems. I do have a ReadyBrake setup just to be legal.

palehorse89 · 02-26-2014, 04:41 PM

All manufactures of any kind of chassis,auto, truck, big truck, RV's, only build and engineer their chassis to stop the weight of the vehicle is was designed and built for. Sure you can hook onto anything and tow it and stop, now try a "panic emergency stop" towing without brakes on what is being towed........you are going to go a lot further than if you had brakes on what you were towing......... I am not going to touch on your insurance company's outlook when you need them for repairs, and they find out you did not have/use them if you are over the limits per the laws.
You will relax and be a lot more at ease when traveling with the proper setup. You cannot put a price on your well being..........

MandG-Fun · 02-26-2014, 04:53 PM

Along with the fact that many states require a braking system by law, is the fact that some cops with nothing better to do will pull over a motor coach with a toad just to see if you are compliant. If not there is some more unplanned expense. So there are plenty of good reasons to have a brake system.

dennis45 · 02-26-2014, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag_ftw

This should help with the law search.
Towing World Official Website

You 38DS04 will not even know the CRV is back there. I tow a 4WD Ranger with my '04 38DS04 with no problems. I do have a ReadyBrake setup just to be legal.

Good piece of information. It is my understanding, but I'm not certain, that if you meet regulation in your Registered State or Province, you are OK throughout Canada, USA & Mexico as part of the North America Free Trade Act. (NAFTA)

lanerd · 02-26-2014, 04:55 PM

Well, it seems that the general consensus is YES, you need toad brakes.....and you can add me to the list. It is just common sense that tells you that in a panic situation, your MH and toad will stop faster and in a shorter distance with toad brakes v.s. without. Check out eBay or Craigs List for used systems.

Good luck and congratulations on your 38' TS (whatever that is) and the 350 Cummings (sic).

Ron

gripper · 02-26-2014, 05:04 PM

[QUOTE=Pappageorgia;1944449]

This is all getting expensive.

I bought a good, used, "Brake Buddy", on Craig's List, for $400. They sell new, for around $1,200 to $1,500. If you look close and frequently, you might even do better. But, "Don't leave home, without one"!

HicksRA · 02-26-2014, 05:11 PM

Keep your eyes open on Craig's List, ebay, the classifieds on this forum, etc. and you will probably be able to find a braking system 2nd hand that won't break the bank.
If you're gonna tow a vehicle, do it right. You might do fine without any supplemental braking, but what if?????
BTW, it's CUMMINS, not Cummings.