Easy/Fun 4-down Toad

[awol50]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I think your comment about "During my research phase, I learned anything under 3000 pounds doesn't need a braking system." is bordering on irresponsibility. Do some research on inertia and what happens if a Toad was to become detached from the tow vehicle. As an experiment, go out to a flat parking area and push your car, then run around to the front and try to stop it. That force would be pushing on your RV in any kind of a braking action. I personally want all tires on the road to have braking action.

Lighten up. I don't have a brake system either on my 2800#, 2wd 2 Dr Chevy tracker.
And never will. They are expensive, prone to problems and not necessary or required.
Millions of towed vehicles and trailers every day with no problems.

[awol50]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

X2! It won’t be cheap or fun when you have to do a panic stop and without a toad brake your toad pushes you 5 feet into the vehicle in front. Even worse, it could be a kid on a bike or a pedestrian.

Taking that logic one step further, i suppose if you packed your RV a little lighter, you could stop even shorter. Right?

[saddlesore]

'04 to '06.5 Scion xB or Toyota Echo....manual trans.. 2400 lbs (And they are Toyota's).
The xB's are a poor man's MiniCooper,, without the constant repair issues

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by awol50

Lighten up. I don't have a brake system either on my 2800#, 2wd 2 Dr Chevy tracker.
And never will. They are expensive, prone to problems and not necessary or required.
Millions of towed vehicles and trailers every day with no problems.

My signature, "pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI" is a joke because I have an auxiliary braking system and breakaway circuit. Your signature, "Pushed by a 2003 Chevy Tracker" is unfortunately truthful. My TDI weighs 2785# and I wouldn't think of towing without all axles with braking. The excuse, "Millions of towed vehicles and trailers every day with no problems." is the same argument used for not wearing seatbelts, and countless other dangerous actions gamblers express that "It can't happen to me." Problem is, if the car breaks away, it most likely won't hit you but some innocent other people.

I'll lighten up when I'm proved wrong.

[awol50]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

My signature, "pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI" is a joke because I have an auxiliary braking system and breakaway circuit. Your signature, "Pushed by a 2003 Chevy Tracker" is unfortunately truthful. My TDI weighs 2785# and I wouldn't think of towing without all axles with braking. The excuse, "Millions of towed vehicles and trailers every day with no problems." is the same argument used for not wearing seatbelts, and countless other dangerous actions gamblers express that "It can't happen to me." Problem is, if the car breaks away, it most likely won't hit you but some innocent other people.

I'll lighten up when I'm proved wrong.

Except just because your toad has braking may mean nothing. With braking your toad will just as easily cause another impact as a toad with no braking. They both stop somewhere and most likely not where you wish it did.

[markarbogast]

I just bought a 2008 Jeep Wrangler X. It’s perfect. 6 speed Manual tranny. AC and a radio. Your not gonna use it as a commuter car so why buy a new one?

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by awol50

Except just because your toad has braking may mean nothing. With braking your toad will just as easily cause another impact as a toad with no braking. They both stop somewhere and most likely not where you wish it did.

The brakes get applied to the maximum when the Toad breaks away. A Toad without braking will roll until it hits someone or something. For that reason and the additional braking that applies in any deceleration.

The OP was wrong when he stated he didn't need brakes on the Toad if it weighed under 3,000 lbs, WRONG. 4 states require brakes for Toads over 1,500 lbs, 4 more states require brakes at 2,000 lbs, and 40 states require breakaway braking.

I see you're from Washington. You can't drive anywhere but Washington and Oregon without traveling through states that have the 1,500 lb. threshold, In any out of state travel, pick your route carefully. Even going North into Canada you'd run into Alberta with a 2,000 lb. limit.

[awol50]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

The brakes get applied to the maximum when the Toad breaks away. A Toad without braking will roll until it hits someone or something. For that reason and the additional braking that applies in any deceleration.

The OP was wrong when he stated he didn't need brakes on the Toad if it weighed under 3,000 lbs, WRONG. 4 states require brakes for Toads over 1,500 lbs, 4 more states require brakes at 2,000 lbs, and 40 states require breakaway braking.

I see you're from Washington. You can't drive anywhere but Washington and Oregon without traveling through states that have the 1,500 lb. threshold, In any out of state travel, pick your route carefully. Even going North into Canada you'd run into Alberta with a 2,000 lb. limit.

Extraordinary rare for a lightweight toad to separate. Multiple simultaneous failures required.
But, you can do as you want and so can I.

[Kennest6]

I'll agree with having a braking system. More insurance for better handling at highway speeds is welcome. I keep a Patriot sys. set just when harder braking is applied. I've been towing an '07 Ford Focus, manual, 2600#. I forget it's back there. It's low budget, kinda roomy for its size, and has decent storage space behind back seat. It's zippy, but not powerful,gets good MPG. They're many out there. Only downside is 4 down set ups run around $2500 +/-

[Jake21]

I won’t argue brakes or no brakes, but I wouldn’t trust this map put out by a company that makes aux braking systems. Clearly the map shows that California requires a break-a-way system.

From the CA DMV: “If you use a tow bar, safety chains are required, but a breakaway switch is not. Fully operational tail, brake, and turn signal lights are required on the towed car.”

Also, the 1500lb reference on the map is for cars and truck towing trailers. I can find no reference to MH towing a toad.

J

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

The brakes get applied to the maximum when the Toad breaks away. A Toad without braking will roll until it hits someone or something. For that reason and the additional braking that applies in any deceleration.

The OP was wrong when he stated he didn't need brakes on the Toad if it weighed under 3,000 lbs, WRONG. 4 states require brakes for Toads over 1,500 lbs, 4 more states require brakes at 2,000 lbs, and 40 states require breakaway braking.

I see you're from Washington. You can't drive anywhere but Washington and Oregon without traveling through states that have the 1,500 lb. threshold, In any out of state travel, pick your route carefully. Even going North into Canada you'd run into Alberta with a 2,000 lb. limit.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Jake21

I won’t argue brakes or no brakes, but I wouldn’t trust this map put out by a company that makes aux braking systems. Clearly the map shows that California requires a break-a-way system.

From the CA DMV: “If you use a tow bar, safety chains are required, but a breakaway switch is not. Fully operational tail, brake, and turn signal lights are required on the towed car.”

Also, the 1500lb reference on the map is for cars and truck towing trailers. I can find no reference to MH towing a toad.

J

It's actual safety to yourself and others, but if you want to check each state's laws individually, be my guest. this link brings up a listing of each state's website that contains the laws of that state. It is a trailer manufacturer, so maybe they've built 50 spoof websites to fool you.

Here's another braking seller's information. https://www.towshop.com/trailer_supp...aking_laws.htm There are slight differences in the post I referenced, but laws change and none of the information is dated.

Here's AAA information. Of course they're trying to sell insurance and club membership information, things have slowed down for them since GPS has replaced the demand for paper Triptiks. They have an APP for Triptiks, but not the same as the old paper flipbooks they used to issue.

Brake Buddy also has a map available, but they can't be trusted because they sell braking systems. Their map is similar to the other purveyors of false braking information.

It's all part of #FakeNews.

[Jake21]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

It's actual safety to yourself and others, but if you want to check each state's laws individually, be my guest. this link brings up a listing of each state's website that contains the laws of that state. It is a trailer manufacturer, so maybe they've built 50 spoof websites to fool you.

Here's another braking seller's information. https://www.towshop.com/trailer_supp...aking_laws.htm There are slight differences in the post I referenced, but laws change and none of the information is dated.

Here's AAA information. Of course they're trying to sell insurance and club membership information, things have slowed down for them since GPS has replaced the demand for paper Triptiks. They have an APP for Triptiks, but not the same as the old paper flipbooks they used to issue.

Brake Buddy also has a map available, but they can't be trusted because they sell braking systems. Their map is similar to the other purveyors of false braking information.

It's all part of #FakeNews.

You totally missed my point. You are quoting/linking information from 3rd parties. I quoted from a state. Also, I clicked the first link you provided. They have information that conflicts with your map’s information. Your map has numbers related to towing a trailer, not towing a vehicle behind a motorhome and comes from a company selling tow bar or brake systems for toads. So yes, Fake news.

But I guess we got a little off topic. Sorry to the OP for that.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

It's actual safety to yourself and others, but if you want to check each state's laws individually, be my guest. this link brings up a listing of each state's website that contains the laws of that state. It is a trailer manufacturer, so maybe they've built 50 spoof websites to fool you.

Here's another braking seller's information. https://www.towshop.com/trailer_supp...aking_laws.htm There are slight differences in the post I referenced, but laws change and none of the information is dated.

Here's AAA information. Of course they're trying to sell insurance and club membership information, things have slowed down for them since GPS has replaced the demand for paper Triptiks. They have an APP for Triptiks, but not the same as the old paper flipbooks they used to issue.

Brake Buddy also has a map available, but they can't be trusted because they sell braking systems. Their map is similar to the other purveyors of false braking information.

It's all part of #FakeNews.

I'm on your side Bob. I'm a firm believer, if your gonna do it, do it right.
Trying to cheap out on a Braking System makes zero sense but for those of that opinion there's no changing their mind. One can only hope we, or our friends and family are not on the receiving end of their poor decision for the sake of saving a buck.

[engine103]

I have two toads Serious Toad, 2004 Silverado 2500HD crew cab. Fun and cheap Toad, 1969 VW Bug, 1800 lbs. Jim E. OKC