Bobbo
Memphis, TN
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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Question: Do semi's have brakes on the trailers? Why? The reasons for brakes on our trailers/toads are the same, everything else is just a matter of scale.
Bobbo, Linda and the furry kid (German Shepherd)
'07 Winnebago Outlook 31C on a Ford E450 Super Duty Chassis
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Near N35 12 17 W89 50 57
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rmmpe
Milford, PA
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Joined: 06/22/2007
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IMO, not having a supplemental braking system is akin to not having health or vehicle insurance.
Roads Scholar
Carry on, regardless
Alpine 36SDS
Cummins 330 ISC
Allison 3060
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Having supplemental brakes doesn't mean everything is dandy and you are in good shape. I guaran-damn-tee you my 40' DP between the exhaust and air brakes with brakeless toad will stop way faster than my 1998 Holiday Rambler F-53 gasser WITH toad brakes. That thing was miserable.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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larry cad
Cindy stop it! U R driving me nuts!!!
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I have posed this question at least 10 times and never gotten an answer. If you have an auxiliary braking system, and when you apply the brakes on your motorhome, there are three possible situations that can occur:
1. The toad brake system will apply sufficient aux. braking that the toad will attempt to slow down more quickly than the motorhome, thus stressing the tow hitch by pulling on it.
2. The toad brake system will apply insufficient aux. braking such that the toad will be pushing against the tow system similar to when there is no braking system.
3. The toad and the motorhome will be slowing down at exactly the same rate.
Obviously #3 is the ideal, but I doubt any aux. braking system on the market can produce those results. Thus you are left with the undesirable choice of setting your system to produce either 1 or 2. Which, if either, would you prefer and why??? Really interested in hearing the answer.
I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.....
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rocky341
Point Pleasant NJ
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Joined: 03/18/2007
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Big Katuna wrote:We have an 05 Expedition DP, pretty much the same coach. It will tow a 6000# toad without a strain. We use a Ready Brute self locking tow bar with a built in surge brake ($700 for the whole deal) and it works great. We have used it on two toads and three RV's. Yo u can use anybodys baseplates. Four down is the way to go.
I think this is the set up I would use brakes are a no-brainer whatever i tow will have them. Is this set up easy to install the ready brute seems to be a low-tech brake and tow bar so it should work well but being a lowly HVAC mechanic if air isn't going thru it were lost, so I want something I can install and adjust when needed any body with experience with this set up please advise.
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Gary Franks
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/24/2008
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I have a motorhome similar to the original poster (Bounder with Cat C7 – 300hp, Allison 6 speed). My original toad was a Lincoln Town Car (about 4500 lbs.). I had a U.S. Gear Unified Tow Brake installed when I first began towing.
I recently bought a new toad, a Jeep Wrangler 4-door (about 4200 lbs.). I bought another U.S. Gear Brake for the Jeep but I have not yet installed it (I didn’t move the brake system because I still have the Lincoln).
Twice I have made a hard stop pulling the Jeep and really have felt the difference without a braking system. I am anxious to install the system before I get in that situation again.
Pulling either vehicle with my Bounder has been easier than I originally expected. Stopping is the real issue. Having experienced the difference, I absolutely would always have a braking system.
I also had the Lincoln break away once (that’s a story in itself). The breakaway cable did what it was supposed to do and prevented any damage.
Aside from the hassle of using dolly or a flatbed, I would not use either because of braking. Even a flatbed with surge brakes would not be as good as towing flat using the toad’s brakes. Since my coach has engine braking for deceleration, the surge brakes would engage more than necessary. I only want my toad or trailer brakes to engage when I am applying brakes in the coach. On a downgrade, with the engine brake doing all of the work, surge brakes could engage excessively causing overheating and constant jerking on the coach.
Now to try to address the question that “larry_cad” asked about the toad brakes engaging before or after the coach brakes are applied:
My U.S. Gear brake allows me to adjust the sensitivity with a control knob in the coach (this system provides progressive AND proportional braking). This will affect how much toad brake is applied with my coach brake. If I adjust it to the max, I can feel the toad brake engage more firmly and pull back on the coach (too much).
My toad’s brakes aren’t applied in an all on/ all off manner, they are applied progressively. So whether they are starting to be applied before or after my coach brakes are applied is not as important as ensuring that they are being applied proportionately. I can’t explain this very well, but I sure can feel it when I have braked.
'05 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel 39Z | Datastorm F2 Satellite Internet | Toad1: '03 Lincoln Town Car | Toad2: '08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited 4WD
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Rvndave
Medina, Ohio
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Joined: 01/23/2004
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Instead of surge brakes you get electric brakes on the car hauler. Then as you change toads you don't need to add special equipment.
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Rvndave wrote:Instead of surge brakes you get electric brakes on the car hauler. Then as you change toads you don't need to add special equipment.
Very true! Also, you have NO wear and tear on the towed vehicles tires, brakes, and drive train.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
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larry cad
Cindy stop it! U R driving me nuts!!!
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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Gary, a very impressive and well thought out post regarding the "progressive" US Gear equipment. I'm not anti-aux braking, just opposed to those who, without thinking, react emotionally to the "scare" advertising some of the makers of aux-braking systems put out.
I would support a well thought out and workable law requiring the use of such equipment and providing guidance on operating characteristics. Unfortunately, because there aren't any such guidelines, there is a lot of junk out there.
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