Toad vehicle brake???

[Rmiscoord]

Originally Posted by tquarles

Just remember that you have to consider your driving style, and where you drive when making this decision also. Most of the boxes that sit on the floor of the toad and the ones that attach to the hitch with no connection to the coach are inertia based systems. That means that unless you are coasting freely or accelerating, the toad brakes will be on. In particular, on a diesel rig with an exhaust or engine brake, when you're going down that long, long hill (think west coast mountains - 6 % grade next 5 miles....), your toad brakes are on a little bit all the time.
Because I drive mostly on the west coast, I prefer the roadmaster brakemaster or similar system that directly ties it to the application of the brakes in the motorhome, not just just the fact that the motorhome is decelerating. Watch for electrical connections to the motorhome brake light system, since some coaches also turn on the brake lights when you use the engine or exhaust brake. I can use my exhaust brake to slow me down on those long downgrades without wearing out my toad brakes, but they're there the second I step on the brake pedal.

This is a good point as I use the Brakemaster too. My MH brake lights come on with the exhaust brake also but I have not check to see if the toad lights come on too or just with activation of the brake pedal ??

[Steve Kieffer]

Just remember that you have to consider your driving style, and where you drive when making this decision also. Most of the boxes that sit on the floor of the toad and the ones that attach to the hitch with no connection to the coach are inertia based systems. That means that unless you are coasting freely or accelerating, the toad brakes will be on. In particular, on a diesel rig with an exhaust or engine brake, when you're going down that long, long hill (think west coast mountains - 6 % grade next 5 miles....), your toad brakes are on a little bit all the time.

This is an absolutely critical statement. And, its not just mountains. Unless you turn of the engine brake, every time you take your foot off the accelerator, after a short delay, the engine brake kicks in. Your Allegro Bus has engine (Jake) brakes. You need to purchase a system that provides proportional braking, activated by the coach brakes.

One of the best is M & G Engineering's product. I've used it on two toads. My father also uses it. Here's a review of M&G's system by Mark Quasius M & G Tow Brake Installation

[parrett1012]

Steve.....Can I call you about a few questions I have about the brake system? I notice you have a Wisconsin plate on your vehicle.

Francis Parrett
email: parrett1012@yahoo.com
phone: 906 753 4464

[Steve Kieffer]

You're looking at Mark's vehicle, not mine.