Community Forums

Tcorrell · 12-05-2017, 12:08 PM

Please don't shoot the new guy, we have a 38 foot Class A gas motorhome and are thinking about converting our F-150 to a toad. Are breaks really necessary on the toad how many people actually do not have brakes on there toad?

AudiDudi · 12-05-2017, 12:19 PM

Almost all states require brakes (and a break-away cable) on a toad weighing over 2000 lbs. Some states are less, a few are more.

Personally, I would not try to tow an F-150 without brakes even if it was legal.

Here's a link to some info:
State and Province Towing Laws

hoosierrun · 12-05-2017, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcorrell

Please don't shoot the new guy, we have a 38 foot Class A gas motorhome and are thinking about converting our F-150 to a toad. Are breaks really necessary on the toad how many people actually do not have brakes on there toad?

Most, if not all States require a supplemental braking system (IIRC). One of the main reasons is for the breakaway system. If your toad separated from the motorhome, it could randomly go anywhere and cause death or injury on the highway. I saw a U-Haul trailer fly off a tow vehicle hitch after the driver hit a rough railroad crossing and that trailer went off the road and broke through a block building with a loud explosion. That experience alone was a wake up call (no safety cables and no breakaway switch for aux brakes). The same could happen with a toad, even though I don't think anyone would haul without safety cables or chains these days. You still want a braking system to stop a runaway toad.

Waiter21 · 12-05-2017, 01:11 PM

My Vue is light, so I don't have brakes on it. If I was going to tow my F150, Yah, its getting fairly heavy and I'd put brakes on it.

twinboat · 12-05-2017, 02:16 PM

Ever have a close call, stopping just in time ? Add a few thousand extra pounds pushing you and it won't be close.

Waiter21 · 12-05-2017, 02:44 PM

Check the weight of your F-150. Run it across a truck scale at any truck stop.. You may be up against the limit of the hitch. Keep an eye on this..

MSHappyCampers · 12-06-2017, 10:58 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I have the ReadyBrute Elite towbars with built in ReadyBrake! You can buy the ReadyBrake alone also. It's pretty much foolproof if installed properly, and about the least expensive braking system out there. Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

awol50 · 12-06-2017, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierrun

Most, if not all States require a supplemental braking system (IIRC). One of the main reasons is for the breakaway system. If your toad separated from the motorhome, it could randomly go anywhere and cause death or injury on the highway. I saw a U-Haul trailer fly off a tow vehicle hitch after the driver hit a rough railroad crossing and that trailer went off the road and broke through a block building with a loud explosion. That experience alone was a wake up call (no safety cables and no breakaway switch for aux brakes). The same could happen with a toad, even though I don't think anyone would haul without safety cables or chains these days. You still want a braking system to stop a runaway toad.

I don't think any state requires supplemental braking unless certain specs are not met.
It is extremely unlikely both a tow bar and safety cables both fail simultaneously.
If someone is so worried about running into someone, they should drive slower.
Nobody has any more duty than to follow the law as regards to toad braking. Do-goodies aside.

lancslad · 12-06-2017, 09:50 PM

Yes, you need a brake..heres why.
We started towing with an MG midget, it was 1800lbs so we didn't bother with a brake or a break away switch. In central Florida, crossing a railroad track, the weld holding the A frame bracket to the car, on one side, broke off and the Midget was on its own!! Luckily we we down to 10 mph when it happened so no major damage was done. At 60 mph it would have been a different story!!
We now pull a 4300lb truck with a Blue Ox bar and brake and break away--- wouldn't leave home without them. I suggest you do the same, because it's not how you tow... it's how you stop.

awol50 · 12-07-2017, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancslad

Yes, you need a brake..heres why.
We started towing with an MG midget, it was 1800lbs so we didn't bother with a brake or a break away switch. In central Florida, crossing a railroad track, the weld holding the A frame bracket to the car, on one side, broke off and the Midget was on its own!! Luckily we we down to 10 mph when it happened so no major damage was done. At 60 mph it would have been a different story!!
We now pull a 4300lb truck with a Blue Ox bar and brake and break away--- wouldn't leave home without them. I suggest you do the same, because it's not how you tow... it's how you stop.

You can do as you want. As long as someone follows the law on toad towing and brakes, it is up to individual choice.
And even if someone chooses to not follow toad braking laws, that is a matter for law enforcement.
I will stick with my choice and you stick with yours.

bdpreece · 12-07-2017, 11:08 AM

Towed for years without supplemental brakes with a much lighter toad than the F150. Peaked a hill one day at about 60 to find traffic at a dead stop. Had to take to the side of the road to avoid a collision. I am now a firm believer in Supplemental brakes on everything.

affreeman · 12-07-2017, 11:29 AM

Also remember that while you may be legal without supplemental braking in your state, you may not be legal in other states that you wish to travel through.

kenandterry · 12-07-2017, 11:42 AM

Tcorrell...

If you have a Class A gas, I’m going to assume you have the same engine as most....Ford V10 Triton, and could be on a chassis of no more than 26,000lbs?

Towing a Ford F-150 is at or beyond your limit for your motorhome. No auxiliary braking is bordering suicide for yourself and everyone else on the road. Even if you say you’re a careful driver.....it’s the other guy that can’t say the same.

Too much toad for your situation without brakes on a toad.

awol50 · 12-07-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Tcorrell...

If you have a Class A gas, I’m going to assume you have the same engine as most....Ford V10 Triton, and could be on a chassis of no more than 26,000lbs?

Towing a Ford F-150 is at or beyond your limit for your motorhome. No auxiliary braking is bordering suicide for yourself and everyone else on the road. Even if you say you’re a careful driver.....it’s the other guy that can’t say the same.

Too much toad for your situation without brakes on a toad.

An f150 is well over 3000 lbs so by law in almost all states need toad braking. And probably would fail in those states that use a stopping test to determine whether toad brakes are required, if a gasser. Maybe even for a dp.