Community Forums

johninsd · 03-27-2021, 10:20 AM

I made an indicator light for my RV dashboard that tells me when the toad's brake lights come on, indicating that the brakes have been applied by my Readybrute Elite towbar. Leaving Death Valley yesterday after a dusty, windy week I noticed that the light never turned off after the first brake application. I pulled off the road to investigate and found that the cable attached to the brake pedal was not allowing the pedal to retract. Pulling the pedal back by hand I could hear a grinding sound like the cable is dry and there is grit in the housing. So now I have a new project, pull the cable and clean/lube it and add this to my maintenance list. Without the indicator light I might have driven off with the toad brakes applied and done some damage or at least worn out the brakes. The warning light that comes with the NSA towbars only tells you that the lever has moved, not that the toad brakes are applied so it would not have warned me about this situation.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-27-2021, 10:47 AM

I put a LED light on the dash of my toad (2010 Ranger) that comes on with the brake lights. Easy to see in the dash monitor.

Just another safety item I like to have.

D20 · 03-27-2021, 11:22 AM

I imagine that light on the dash saved you a lot of expense.

I installed a TOAD brake pedal indicator light on the motorhome dash as well even though the standard install comes with a light in the TOAD's windshield. I am glad I did as the light in the windshield of the TOAD is not easily visible on the camera.

Dutch Star Don · 03-27-2021, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D20

I imagine that light on the dash saved you a lot of expense.

I installed a TOAD brake pedal indicator light on the motorhome dash as well even though the standard install comes with a light in the TOAD's windshield. I am glad I did as the light in the windshield of the TOAD is not easily visible on the camera.

I agree, I have the light on the dash, easily visible while I drive. I check it all the time to make sure it's turning on and off when I slow or stop. Another great feature, you can step on the brakes, anytime, and know that your umbilical to the toad is still connected and working, or the light wouldn't illuminate.

I know many use the light in the toad windshield, but I don't want to be distracted looking for it in my rear view camera, especially when the sun is shining directly on it.

tarnold · 03-28-2021, 08:45 AM

I also have an led tail light on the dash. It is placed in a black “take out” box and wedged in to keep it placed up tight on the windshield. No glare.

georgelesley · 03-28-2021, 09:46 AM

We bit the bullet and bought the remote brake lite indicator sold by our supplemental brake manufacturer. It was pricey, but works as advertised. Worth the peace of mind it provides.

MSHappyCampers · 03-28-2021, 10:09 AM

Did you remember to go buy a lottery ticket?

johninsd · 05-05-2021, 03:28 PM

Just a quick followup - I ordered a new inner brake cable from NSA after pulling the old one out - as I suspected the old cable was dry as a bone and had a few broken strands where it clamped to the brake pedal. Installing the new one took me about an hour (and I'm slow) and cost me less than $30 for the cable and a can of cable lube. I sprayed the cable lube into the cable housing from inside the Jeep while I was parked facing downhill. The lube dripped out of the forward end of the housing and seems to have carried out some grit. The new cable slid into place easily and works as it should. Got about 7 years out of the original cable so can't complain too much.

John in San Diego
2016 Navion 24G
2004 Wrangler Rubicon toad

Rwjsim2003 · 05-06-2021, 02:09 PM

I also added the Light to the dash of our MH. Nice to know when brakes are applied in toad without looking at camera.

Dutch Star Don · 05-06-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johninsd

Just a quick followup - I ordered a new inner brake cable from NSA after pulling the old one out - as I suspected the old cable was dry as a bone and had a few broken strands where it clamped to the brake pedal. Installing the new one took me about an hour (and I'm slow) and cost me less than $30 for the cable and a can of cable lube. I sprayed the cable lube into the cable housing from inside the Jeep while I was parked facing downhill. The lube dripped out of the forward end of the housing and seems to have carried out some grit. The new cable slid into place easily and works as it should. Got about 7 years out of the original cable so can't complain too much.

John in San Diego
2016 Navion 24G
2004 Wrangler Rubicon toad

Good catch on the bad cable. Now you know it's an occasional maintenance item. Seven years was a reasonable life span.

TFell · 05-09-2021, 08:56 PM

Just starting out with my new Hercules bar and a new MH to be delivered Wednesday.

The DL100 (which attaches to the brake switch in the toad) light won’t work with my toad because the battery must be disconnected.

The DL300 (which attaches to the lever on the ready brake) is not an option on the Hercules, only the ready brute. I called NSA and the guy was helpful but acknowledged there is no solution.

So, how can I get visibility of my toad (2014 Silverado) brake activation with the battery disconnected? Any help appreciated. Maybe the IRV2 folks have figured it out!

2cyber71 · 05-09-2021, 08:59 PM

Excellent catch.
My old Brake Buddy Classic has a wireless notification that lights up in my RV to let me know the brakes are engaged.

johninsd · 05-10-2021, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFell

Just starting out with my new Hercules bar and a new MH to be delivered Wednesday.

The DL100 (which attaches to the brake switch in the toad) light won’t work with my toad because the battery must be disconnected.

The DL300 (which attaches to the lever on the ready brake) is not an option on the Hercules, only the ready brute. I called NSA and the guy was helpful but acknowledged there is no solution.

So, how can I get visibility of my toad (2014 Silverado) brake activation with the battery disconnected? Any help appreciated. Maybe the IRV2 folks have figured it out!

Take a look at post #10 in this thread - looks like it would work in your situation -
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/look...ed-423078.html

Isaac-1 · 05-10-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TFell

Just starting out with my new Hercules bar and a new MH to be delivered Wednesday.

The DL100 (which attaches to the brake switch in the toad) light won’t work with my toad because the battery must be disconnected.

The DL300 (which attaches to the lever on the ready brake) is not an option on the Hercules, only the ready brute. I called NSA and the guy was helpful but acknowledged there is no solution.

So, how can I get visibility of my toad (2014 Silverado) brake activation with the battery disconnected? Any help appreciated. Maybe the IRV2 folks have figured it out!

Skimming the instructions for the DL100 it appears that it does not use the TOAD brake for anything, and gets its power from the motorhome. It also looks to be more complicated than need be. I would write more about how to roll your own for cheap, but I am about to head out in the coach on vacation here in a minute, trying to get our before the rain hits in a few hours.