shannon62
Pennsylvania
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Hello everyone, hope all are well. I have been told by a few people that we really do not need a brake buddy, then we hear that you do. so #1 Do you need to have a brake buddy in your toad by law? #2 Will your break away feature only work if your toad has a brake buddy? we plan to have a class a diesel motorhome. As always we thank you for any info.
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ranholago
MN
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Pretty sure the requirement for supplemental braking system is established by the state. Ive checked the code books for California and come up with a couple of different answers generally if the vehicle is 3000lbs or more,I have also understood it to be 1500lbs, but, is a toad a trailer? Ive been told no, the toad does not need a braking system, just a break away system. Generally in those gray areas,( and there will be plenty who say there is no grey area), however for me, I installed a supplemental braking system, I rest easier knowing im doing the safe thing.
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Flute Man
Payson, Arizona
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yes to both questions.
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Lwiddis
South of Lone Pine, California
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If the toad breaks away, it more than likely won’t harm or kill you or your family, won’t damage your property. Still need a legal requirement to have brakes on the toad?
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rjstractor
Maple Valley, WA
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This has been probably one of the most debated questions on this forum. My only comment is that there are many supplemental braking options out there besides the Brake Buddy, so no, you do not need a Brake Buddy.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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yes , you should have a brake system, brake buddy or otherwise.
yes, you should have a break away system.
bumpy
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Research the laws in your state, and make your own decision as to what they mean.
I did for my state, and several surrounding states. I came to the conclusion that in many states a towed passenger vehicle does not comply with the legal definition of "trailer", so trailer brake laws do not apply.
However, many (if not most) states have a Braking Performance Law in the State Code that closely mirrors the FMVSS regulations: You must be able to stop any combination of vehicles within xx number of feet from xx MPH on a level, dry, clean hard surface. (MCA 61-9-312 specifies within 40 feet from 20 MPH for any "combination of vehicles".) If you can do that, you are legal.
Pennsylvania, apparently, has no such regulation (I have been unable to find it, anyway), however a breakaway system is required (PA Title 75, Paragraph 4502).
There are non electric or electronic systems available (Ready Brute is one) that are purely mechanical and meet the requirements of all states.
By the way, California does have a Braking Performance Law that closely mirrors the FMVSS, and is very nearly the same as the Montana (MCA) code!
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willald
NC
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rjstractor wrote:This has been probably one of the most debated questions on this forum. My only comment is that there are many supplemental braking options out there besides the Brake Buddy, so no, you do not need a Brake Buddy.
My thoughts exactly. The debate over whether or not you should or are legally required to have a supplemental braking system will rage on forever. However, NOWHERE does ANY law anywhere say you have to specifically have a brake buddy system. There are several other systems that work just as good and better in some cases, and cost a lot less.
Personally, I don't want to have to install and remove a box/device in front of the driver seat whenever I hitch up and unhitch. Way too much PITA there, and you are likely every now and then to just not hook it up (and Murphy's law guarantees that'll be the time you get in a panic stop situation on the road and will wish you had it). Much prefer a system that stays installed and ready to go, and is just a matter of hooking up a connection or two.
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way2roll
Wilmington NC
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Why wouldn't you? No it does not have to be a brake buddy. There are lots of systems including some mechanical ones integrated into the tow bars like the ready brute elite.
But to spend all the money on an RV and toad and a towing system only to stop at a supplemental brake system and breakway to me, doesn't make sense. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.
Legally, do you have to have it? You'll get a hundred different answers.
Should you? Yes.
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shannon62
Pennsylvania
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Thanks for all the info on brake buddy, sounds like the brake buddy is not the only one out there, we will need to research it more as for that is the only one we know about. Thanks again
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