brodon
Florida
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Joined: 11/12/2011
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Just bought a Nat. Dolphin 38' Class A MH; looking at braking issue.
MH stats:
GVWR 24,000
GCWR 30,000
Unloaded WR 20,840
Max CC 3,160
Cargo CC 1,782
Tow Veh 3,880
The way I read these figures, I should be able to pull and brake with my MH safely.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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brodon wrote:Just bought a Nat. Dolphin 38' Class A MH; looking at braking issue.
MH stats:
GVWR 24,000
GCWR 30,000
Unloaded WR 20,840
Max CC 3,160
Cargo CC 1,782
Tow Veh 3,880
The way I read these figures, I should be able to pull and brake with my MH safely. My concern has always been safety, legal and liability. States have different laws requiring aux brakes. A 3,880 toad requires a brake in most states.
Should the unfortunate happen I don't want to be explaining to the insurance company or judge why I ignored the states requirements. Not to mention putting my assets at risk.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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PartyOf Five
Wheaton, IL
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Joined: 07/18/2016
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No date but laws shown here are by state and province: https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/
There's enough state requirements here, and the phrase above ( safety, legal, liability) to make me close the door on getting a tow dolly to embark on "the toad adventure" for now.
Descending a steep grade in Western PA with a utility trailer (roughly 1200 lbs), we popped the fuses on our conversion van rated to tow 5k.
The idiot that jumped in as traffic was stopping in Calgary last year made me stop so short that everything flew forward.
Combining these two incidents, I can envision significant damage. Now maybe the toad's purpose is to prevent the RV from taking these drives, but we drive in traffic all the time and for me it's more about having a spare set of wheels that I can move around easily in.
I wouldn't add the breaking system and accessories cost or effort into the equation right now, and I wouldn't get a tow dolly without including them. The conversation was very helpful for showing various viewpoints, products, and their reviews- thanks all.
PartyOf5 appreciating our Creator thru the creation. 5 yrs, 50k
May you find Peace in all you endeavor.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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CA Traveler wrote:brodon wrote:Just bought a Nat. Dolphin 38' Class A MH; looking at braking issue.
MH stats:
GVWR 24,000
GCWR 30,000
Unloaded WR 20,840
Max CC 3,160
Cargo CC 1,782
Tow Veh 3,880
The way I read these figures, I should be able to pull and brake with my MH safely. My concern has always been safety, legal and liability. States have different laws requiring aux brakes. A 3,880 toad requires a brake in most states.
Should the unfortunate happen I don't want to be explaining to the insurance company or judge why I ignored the states requirements. Not to mention putting my assets at risk.
Most states do not have laws requiring a braking system on a towed motor vehicle.
However, nearly all states have a braking performance requirement. You must be able to come to a full stop within a certain distance from a certain speed, on a level, hard, clean surface (See MCA (Montana Code Annotated) 61-9-312 for an example of such a law). If you can meet that performance standard, you are legal. If you can't meet the standard, fix it so you can.
An almost identical standard can be found in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
Toad: '05 Wrangler Unlimited
Toy: 1999 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, Auto, 4X4
Other toys: 2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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stargirl96
Weatherford, OK
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Joined: 06/09/2011
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We have the Ready Brute Elite tow bar with built-in braking system. In my opinion, it is a cleverly designed system, but it is not trouble free. Before our last trip, we noticed that the cable loop (is it called thimble?) where the breakaway system connects to car was broken and had worked itself back into car. Also, the plastic bumper pulls out when the ready break cable is activated and pulls the thimble forward. Our toad is a Honda CR-V and I wonder whether it is a good choice for their system, although the owner said they've successfully done several installations on CR-Vs. The upshot is we will have to take our motorhome and toad back to Iola, Kansas to be worked on. I don't know what others do who live in states far away. Perhaps there are installers nearby to correct any problems. The Ready Break system is a good one, but it requires upkeep like other motorhome products and accessories.
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Hicks3456
California
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Yrachmael wrote:I'm towing a 2000# Honda Fit behind my 36' Cheeta pusher using Blue Ox bar and chains. Up to now I haven't had any need for a braking system in the toad. However, I'm planning a X-ross country trip late this spring that will include California. So now I'm questioning whether spending over 1k for a system is even needed and if so is one of those second hand Brake Buddies on Ebay worth a few hundred dollars or just a waste?
I do not think the question is if you need it - the real question is what is your liability if something happens and you don't have it - are you liable for damage as well as - would your insurance cover you?
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Fisherman1964
Canada
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Joined: 07/03/2003
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I guess it really depends on what your towing and what your towing it with. But here in Canada some if not all provinces require supplemental brake systems for anything being towed over 2500#. I've been using the Brake Buddy for a number of years now and have had good luck with it and they also have great customer service from my experience.
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JPedro
Butteville, OR
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Joined: 03/14/2004
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I tow a 8,000 lb. horse trailer behind my 40 ft 400 hp DP with no problems stopping with electric brakes. I want to occasionally pull a toad, but all my extra vehicles are automatics and don’t show up on any lists as being flat towable. I may just buy a flatbed with e-brakes after reading 11 pages of this thread or maybe get a dolly. However, I would like to know if any potential toads come with pre-wired e-brakes or air brakes. The whole stand alone brake pedal box sounds expensive and unreliable. I can’t imagine how disk brakes convert to e-brakes, but I thought I’d throw it out there. Be gentle on me please.
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tjfogelberg
Twin Cities MN
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Joined: 07/18/2014
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JPedro says "The whole stand alone brake pedal box sounds expensive and unreliable.".
Correct on both counts. My Demco Delta Force was installed on the toad at the time I bought my new 2017 Minnie Winnie at a cost of $1,700. I'm on my 3rd system (5 year warranty). When the system works, it is great. It provides proportional breaking which I personally like. The brake helps me with every stop, even a slow roll at a traffic light etc. It releases immediately when I come to a complete stop or when I remove my foot from the MH brake pedal.
But the system FAILS. It actuates without cause ...sometimes on the highway (scary) and sometimes during the installation and testing pre-trip. It also blows the 20 AMP fuse to my Honda CRV accessory socket where it is plugged in for power.
Have read lots on all the different systems and trying to decide what to replace it with. Saw a guy in the parking lot once with his toad brakes locked up, his system was permanently installed so he didn't know how to disengage it. A Tow truck came and pulled his vehicle onto the trailer, only way to get it into the shop.
Leaning toward a system recommended by a local and highly rated installer...Blue Ox Patriot a portable system with proportional braking. (I hate to go without a brake system as it really does making stopping easier and safer in my opinion).
But it is an extreme hazard to have a system that engages at highway speed for NO reason.
Delta Force has been very responsive and repaired or replace (#3) the system. But all 3 have failed during the 4 years of operation.
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