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Old 08-02-2019, 03:25 PM   #1
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Powering Toad Braking System from RV

This is my first attempt to post a question - so hopefully this is going to the right place...


I tow a mini countryman behind our Tiffin RV and have a Patriot Braking system that is currently powered using the Toad's battery. Since the mini doesn't have a steering lock, there is no need to have the ignition in some aux position - so there is no other draw on the mini's battery than the Brake System. After an 8 hour day on the road, the mini's battery is usually dead.


I would like to power the brake system directly from the RV (I believe that there is a +12V pin on the RV connector) but most articles that I've read suggest using this to "charge" the toads battery. I would prefer to simply use the RV to power the brake system (by running a +12V feed into the foot-well where the brake system sits).


Assuming I use a large enough gauge wire (14 gauge?) - will this work? Should I also run the ground from the RV connector since the RV and car are not the same ground?


Thanks for any advice ... Mark.
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Old 08-02-2019, 03:37 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by mvandy View Post
This is my first attempt to post a question - so hopefully this is going to the right place...


I tow a mini countryman behind our Tiffin RV and have a Patriot Braking system that is currently powered using the Toad's battery. Since the mini doesn't have a steering lock, there is no need to have the ignition in some aux position - so there is no other draw on the mini's battery than the Brake System. After an 8 hour day on the road, the mini's battery is usually dead.


I would like to power the brake system directly from the RV (I believe that there is a +12V pin on the RV connector) but most articles that I've read suggest using this to "charge" the toads battery. I would prefer to simply use the RV to power the brake system (by running a +12V feed into the foot-well where the brake system sits).


Assuming I use a large enough gauge wire (14 gauge?) - will this work? Should I also run the ground from the RV connector since the RV and car are not the same ground?


Thanks for any advice ... Mark.
Should work, but why not just run a #12 wire with 20A fuse to positive side of battery and leave everything else as is. It’s the center conductor on a six pin connector and I’ve done it for several years.
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Old 08-02-2019, 04:04 PM   #3
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The reason you don’t want to power the brake solely from the motorhome is if the toad breaks away due to a tow bar or other failure. Powered by the car battery the breaking system can still bring the car to a stop even when the umbilical cord is severed
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Old 08-03-2019, 06:10 PM   #4
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I’d run a charge line as well. We have a stay and play braking system installed and uses power brakes as well.

Installer ran a charging unit to the Toad so the coach keeps it charged up while traveling.
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Old 08-03-2019, 06:28 PM   #5
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The reason you don’t want to power the brake solely from the motorhome is if the toad breaks away due to a tow bar or other failure. Powered by the car battery the breaking system can still bring the car to a stop even when the umbilical cord is severed
THIS^^ is why you power the toad brake system from the toad itself. Period.
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Old 08-07-2019, 06:58 PM   #6
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The reason you don’t want to power the brake solely from the motorhome is if the toad breaks away due to a tow bar or other failure. Powered by the car battery the breaking system can still bring the car to a stop even when the umbilical cord is severed
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Originally Posted by Ljwt330 View Post
THIS^^ is why you power the toad brake system from the toad itself. Period.
^^^ Absolutely!!
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Old 08-08-2019, 05:21 AM   #7
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I have done it this way.

The charge line is hooked directly to the 12V for the tow brake from the RV and the battery has to be disconnected in my Chev Colorado. The PATRIOT has an onboard battery that remains charged through the 12V connection so if the connection is lost it will still work to stop the Toad. I usually charge the Brake before any trip. (It states that in the manual) I bought the Roadmaster 12V charge line kit and had it installed with the base plate, etc when I got the new truck this April.
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Old 08-10-2019, 07:12 PM   #8
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I use the Blue Ox Patriot braking unit. I run a separate 12dvc line and install a 12dvc plug for the brake unit from the toad battery. Place the ignition switch as per the manual and away we go.
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Old 08-11-2019, 05:29 PM   #9
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I use this
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...a-451734501777
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Old 08-11-2019, 06:00 PM   #10
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The draw from the Patriot is very minimal. If the battery in your toad is up to par, it should last all day and then some.
A normal Fused Charge Line from the coach to the Toad Battery will do the trick.
How old is the battery in your toad?
Before trying to reinvent the wheel, I suggest getting the toad battery load tested. Maybe you just need a new battery to solve your problem.
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