Community Forums

brobox · 10-15-2014, 01:45 PM

If you tow a toad.....this is a must have spare part to have on board.

For about the 3rd time over the years, I "misplaced" a tow bar pin lock. It could have fallen out with the number of road tests done over the past 2 days for a rear end replacement.

Anyhow photo# 1 is a must have spare part and glad I have about 6 of them on board

I also care a set spare tow pins. I prefer the large handle ones from Tractor Supply as the are easy to pull and remove when it's wet. Photo #2

Just thought I would pass along something that I carry and this morning glad I did.

ddgilmore · 10-15-2014, 02:08 PM

Excellent advise, Chuck. Along those lines of towing, just curious, how is the "Ready Brake" working?? Danny

brobox · 10-15-2014, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddgilmore

Excellent advise, Chuck. Along those lines of towing, just curious, how is the "Ready Brake" working?? Danny

Really like the Ready Brake over my previous Blue Ox set up. It is one of the simplest and problem free brake systems I have ever used. The tow bar is twice that of my previous Blue Ox Aladdin that snapped in half. Thankfully it happened pulling away from a fuel dock and no damage was done, it could have been a LOT worse.

ddgilmore · 10-15-2014, 02:27 PM

Thanks for your quick response and assessment of the Ready Brake. I currently have US Gear, but have experienced some minor problems with the controller ( mounted inside MH) and the small vacuum pump mounted inside the toad.. Reading the material on the Ready Brake seems very simple.. Thanks again!!

MRUSA14 · 10-15-2014, 03:11 PM

I have has US Gear for 12 years, no problems.

Finally · 10-15-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

If you tow a toad.....this is a must have spare part to have on board.

For about the 3rd time over the years, I "misplaced" a tow bar pin lock. It could have fallen out with the number of road tests done over the past 2 days for a rear end replacement.

Anyhow photo# 1 is a must have spare part and glad I have about 6 of them on board

I also care a set spare tow pins. I prefer the large handle ones from Tractor Supply as the are easy to pull and remove when it's wet. Photo #2

Just thought I would pass along something that I carry and this morning glad I did.

Chuck,

A spare is aways a good idea. What about using safety wire.? So it stays connected when pulled.

brobox · 10-15-2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finally

Chuck,

A spare is always a good idea. What about using safety wire.? So it stays connected when pulled.

Good idea, but I know me, I would get the safety wire hung up on something and it would be cut.

The pin locks are like 98 cent at Tractor Supply and have saved me more than once. The first time I lost a pin was at the fiasco going to the Hershey Show and disconnecting in a hurry. 20 miles to a Tractor Supply to get a new pin when we got ready to leave.

I have also been able to help a couple of RV Park neighbors over the years that have also lost a pin while unhooking. Protecting the pin anyway you can is a good idea, but a lost pin will happen sooner or later. At least with me it does.

brobox · 10-15-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddgilmore

Thanks for your quick response and assessment of the Ready Brake. I currently have US Gear, but have experienced some minor problems with the controller ( mounted inside MH) and the small vacuum pump mounted inside the toad.. Reading the material on the Ready Brake seems very simple.. Thanks again!!

I can only relate to what I have owned and my last brake system was a "Blue Ox Box with the air compressor and electrical connections. The compressor went out twice, they were so problematic that Blue Ox quit making them and the electrical was constantly blowing fuses. Last time it failed, I unhooked it and threw it in the trash saying I would never have a brake system that needed a "second" system to work.

Not saying the Ready Brake is the "best" on the market, but personally I would only use a mechanic brake system from now on or tow without which I did for about 5 years. The RB met my needs and was basically "free" when I had to replace my tow bar.

ddgilmore · 10-15-2014, 09:06 PM

MRUSA14, I too have had the US Gear for several years and until recently been trouble free. My concern, I called twice for troubleshooting questions only to go to voicemail. I left a vm and requested a call back, unfortunately the company did not return my call. I believe they could take a lesson in CS from Entegra..

jdwky · 10-15-2014, 09:20 PM

I love my ReadyBrake system and will now be visiting tractor supply for some spare pins. Great idea chuck.

777 Driver · 10-15-2014, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brobox

If you tow a toad.....this is a must have spare part to have on board.

I also carry one of these:

Not the whole cable, just the black plunger that goes into the breakaway switch.

It occurred to me that if some nit-wit came across my not in-tow toad parked somewhere and pulled the black plunger, my toad's brake system would presume that my toad had broken free and would apply the brakes.

I just carry a spare plunger in the toad.

Take care,
Stu

Cruzer · 10-16-2014, 07:01 AM

I always carry enough spare parts to rebuild the coach if necessary.

I carry spare safety cables, air hose from coach to Jeep, light cord, and pins. A few years back I rebuilt my Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar. While at it I replaced the locking pin set. I always use locking pins because haven't been too found of the regular pins, especially after I saw a retaining clip missing during one rest stop. After leaving on a trip I went about 30 miles when all of a sudden I felt a bang and looked in my rear camera and saw that out Jeep was following the Bus but about 20' back. I pulled over (the breakaway had actuated the M&G braking system on the Jeep) and took a look. The brand new 5/8" hitch pin had sheared and the entire tow bar came out of the hitch. I grabbed a spare pin from my parts box, put everything together and was on my way. Granted, that was a fluke but it shows what can happen.

brobox · 10-16-2014, 10:27 AM

Good point Mark, I also carry most of those parts and have used the light cord before when it came unplugged in a tight turn and ground the toad plug almost completely off. Bought another plug at Walmart and that cord is now my spare.

The tow pins are cheap enough, I normally replace them ever couple of years and keep the best set as spare in the towing parts box.

RW8804 · 10-16-2014, 10:35 AM

The tow pins on my old rig were ten years old. I suspected that they needed changing, so I bought a new motorhome, tow car, and tow bar instead.

I'm currently using Blue Ox locking pins, and keep the pins that came with the tow bar as spares. Same for the hitch pins.

My light cable also became unplugged once and tore. I was in the middle of nowhere, so I did a temporary splice job at the side of the road. Now I keep a spare.