Toad setup tips

[RVFunlovers]

Before we roll out after hooking up our tow vehicle, we test the running lights, brake lights, blinkers, and then roll forward slow a couple of feet while watching the wheels on the tow vehicle.

I like to know all wheels on the tow vehicle are turning free.

I take a quick look in side mirrors at the tow vehicle wheels the first couple of real turns I make as well. Good to see them turning.

Safe Travels.

[777 Driver]

We regularly pull into a rest area for a lunch stop. I have a habit of doing a quick walk around to check the integrity of the toad attachment just before resuming our drive.

Although I have no idea whether it’s just internet hype, or true, my habitual walk around has taken a more dedicated sense of necessity since reading stories that suggest that there have been acts of vandalism in rest areas.

The stories seem to have a common thread of a toad becoming detached from the tow bar a few minutes after leaving a rest area. One story told of the owner being interrupted during his pre-departure walk around after he had checked the toad connections and was passing up the driver’s side of his coach. A woman approached and commented on his coach and made some innocuous small talk for a couple of minutes before she was joined by her male companion who had joined them from around the rear of the coach. The owner bade them farewell and walked around the front of his coach and resumed his travels.

A few miles down the road, in his rear-view camera, he noticed that his toad had begun wandering unnaturally. He immediately pulled over to investigate and found that both the safety locking pins that hold the tow bar pins in place were missing and that one of the tow bar pins was missing. The remaining pin had not yet, worked its way completely out of the tow bar. His toad was attached only by one leg of the tow bar. His conclusion was that the interruption during his walk around was intentionally timed to allow the male companion to surreptitiously remove the safety locking pins from the tow bar.

I read that on the internet, so, it’s got to be true, right?

True, or not, my pre-drive resumption walk arounds are now more intentional and include a “no interruption” rule.

Take care,
Stu

[Rollin101]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

We regularly pull into a rest area for a lunch stop. I have a habit of doing a quick walk around to check the integrity of the toad attachment just before resuming our drive.

Although I have no idea whether it’s just internet hype, or true, my habitual walk around has taken a more dedicated sense of necessity since reading stories that suggest that there have been acts of vandalism in rest areas.

The stories seem to have a common thread of a toad becoming detached from the tow bar a few minutes after leaving a rest area. One story told of the owner being interrupted during his pre-departure walk around after he had checked the toad connections and was passing up the driver’s side of his coach. A woman approached and commented on his coach and made some innocuous small talk for a couple of minutes before she was joined by her male companion who had joined them from around the rear of the coach. The owner bade them farewell and walked around the front of his coach and resumed his travels.

A few miles down the road, in his rear-view camera, he noticed that his toad had begun wandering unnaturally. He immediately pulled over to investigate and found that both the safety locking pins that hold the tow bar pins in place were missing and that one of the tow bar pins was missing. The remaining pin had not yet, worked its way completely out of the tow bar. His toad was attached only by one leg of the tow bar. His conclusion was that the interruption during his walk around was intentionally timed to allow the male companion to surreptitiously remove the safety locking pins from the tow bar.

I read that on the internet, so, it’s got to be true, right?

True, or not, my pre-drive resumption walk arounds are now more intentional and include a “no interruption” rule.

Take care,
Stu

Probably comes from years of preflights!

[Mwoodofd]

Got locks on my tow bar...no pins.

[jeff.herren]

I only use locks at nights on travel days where I do not unhook. In the event of a needed quick unhook while traveling (fire, etc.) pins during the day facilitate that while locks at night secure things

[billb3672]

I installed the Blue OX plate and a wiring harness I purchased at the Jeep dealership that connects the coach lighting system to the Jeep. To install the wiring harness I had to do some mechanical work to install the lighting system to the front of my 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited. I don't know if the new jeeps have the same wiring harness available, but you can go on line to check. I also had the Air Force 1 installed by the shop that sold it to me, but did not opt for the dash light. I connected to the blue wire through the flex cord, and installed a set of small lights just below the windshield that I can see from the rear camera. I also installed a switch on the drivers side A pillar, because if you don't turn the lights off when just driving the jeep they will come on every time you hit the brakes. It all has been working fine for 4 years.

[Mwoodofd]

A dash warning light (with audible alarm) will save you a set of brakes and rotors some day for the toad. I moved my Jeep set up a while ago from my former gas A to my Entegra, but did not add the audible part - did put a brake light, in a spot not too easy to see,

My cable to my brake pedal stuck on a trip from New Mexico to Dallas, found out in Abilene, brakes shot on the Jeep, and am still surprised I did not see the light. I now have the alarm, and new brakes and rotors - the alarm was about $12.

This is easy to do, and my brake system in the jeep is a permanent system that will sound the alarm if the brakes are applied more than 20 seconds, unless stopped (like at traffic lights).

[Prairie Dog]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

A dash warning light (with audible alarm) will save you a set of brakes and rotors some day for the toad. I moved my Jeep set up a while ago from my former gas A to my Entegra, but did not add the audible part - did put a brake light, in a spot not too easy to see,



My cable to my brake pedal stuck on a trip from New Mexico to Dallas, found out in Abilene, brakes shot on the Jeep, and am still surprised I did not see the light. I now have the alarm, and new brakes and rotors - the alarm was about $12.



This is easy to do, and my brake system in the jeep is a permanent system that will sound the alarm if the brakes are applied more than 20 seconds, unless stopped (like at traffic lights).

Got more info on alarm? They are hooking light up as we speak. Thanks

[BaldDaddy]

Originally Posted by RVFunlovers

Before we roll out after hooking up our tow vehicle, we test the running lights, brake lights, blinkers, and then roll forward slow a couple of feet while watching the wheels on the tow vehicle.

I like to know all wheels on the tow vehicle are turning free.

I take a quick look in side mirrors at the tow vehicle wheels the first couple of real turns I make as well. Good to see them turning.

Safe Travels.

X2. We employ the exact same departure procedure. That’s what kids are for right? rain or shine . Interesting notes about vandals pulling pins. Sounds similar to the idiots who park their cars/trucks in Tesla spots to make it so we can’t charge up, or the ones that actually cut the charging cords. There are a lot of unhappy people in this world unfortunately.

[Mwoodofd]

Originally Posted by Prairie Dog

Got more info on alarm? They are hooking light up as we speak. Thanks

Below link is what I bought.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...r/RM-9325.html

I have all Road Master product in my Jeep, but this is just wired to the same light wire from the back of the Motor home to the dash. If the light is illuminated longer than 20 seconds, the alarm will sound. (I don't know if that is built into the system I have - Road Master Invisibrake, or the small alarm thing)

What I don't know is will your Airforce One system work the same way.
Sometimes mine misses the coach is stopped and sounds the alarm, and I can let off the brake, and apply again to start another 20 seconds.