toad brakes?

traveylin wrote:
ALMCC your reference tab to braking requirement for British Columbia is succinct. But I read the requirement for tow bar pulled vehicles is that when the weigh less than 4400 lbs , no supplemental braking requirement exists. Trailers and toads greater than 4400 lbs have requirement.

Yes, I didn't look in detail at the requirements, I would have if I had a Toad. What interested me about this discussion is that a few years ago I met a person with a diesel pusher with a Toad, the tow bar was equipped with a surge brake with the hydraulics somehow hooked up to the toad's brakes. To me it seemed a much better solution compared to the more common equipment I've seen.

ALMCC your reference tab to braking requirement for British Columbia is succinct. But I read the requirement for tow bar pulled vehicles is that when the weigh less than 4400 lbs , no supplemental braking requirement exists. Trailers and toads greater than 4400 lbs have requirement.

bsinmich wrote:
Your insurance co. will pay your claim!! You may have a problem at renewal time for your insurance. Insurance companies pay for stupid mistakes all the time. Usually just for the first time though.

Here are several links for state towing laws.
State Tow Requirements
Check with your individual insurance company to see if they will pay your claim if you violate the law. Personally I'm not wiling to test the system!

rag-ftw wrote:
Supplemental braking systems are expensive but you should keep I mind if you have an accident and the state or providence you are located requires brakes on your towed your insurance company may not pay your claim!

Your insurance co. will pay your claim!! You may have a problem at renewal time for your insurance. Insurance companies pay for stupid mistakes all the time. Usually just for the first time though.

I've been watching this topic with interest, I have a 5er so I don't have to worry about hauling a toad. I did find the requirements for the Canadian provinces on the web, it's here toad requirements.

It's interesting in that some provinces allow "surge" type brakes, BC needs additional independent braking after separation. I assume that the OP will be going through BC on the way north.

From what I understand,the OP's question is, does his break-away feature, which would stop a vehicle if things got so bad that the toad became completely free of the motor home, would it be all he requires? In OP's case, by way of an explanation, if you might drive a well kept Ferrari, or an old Jugo, you do need brakes. There may be a world of difference between their two capabilities, but both vehicles may be legally roadworthy. He should be legal. There's very little doubt that if he went to a device such as Brake Buddy, his driving safety while trying to slow, could be improved because stopping distances could then be shortened when he makes use of the Ranger's own brakes. But he can still drive safely with what he's got, once he finds out the limitation the extra weight he tows has on stopping distances. If he is driving a diesel vehicle and makes use of an engine retarder or an exhaust brake he will worry even less about steep downgrades even without using the Ranger's brakes. Someone mentioned having safety chains leading from the motor home's frame to the Ranger's. That might prove complicated. But having cables or chains from Ranger's frame to his tow bar could work in conjunction with his tow bar's own safety chains,or cables, as a work around. Chaining to the frame should virtually eliminate the need for break-away only capability, except for laws that may be on the books, or insurer's stipulations. Nobody wants to see a driver-less car in their way, and you can still see that with any break-away or supplemental braking system. I've seen the result of bolts that held a tow bar pull completely away from a towed truck's frame. The motor home had his complete tow mechanism intact with small bits of truck frame, but his truck went missing, down a Mexican mountainside.

Ron, I have heard of them but I was not aware they did not provide toad braking just break-away.

We went back to a TT and pickup but we spent 6 years with a Class A and towing a Jeep and I used a Brake Buddy.

I would still like to hear back from the OP (unless we've scared him off - hopefully not).
... Eric

Eric, check out the "Ready Stop" break-away system. It's an independent system that works without a supplemental brake system. I'm sure there are other brands.

Ron

How would a break-away system work without supplementary braking?

... Eric

prstlk wrote:
We have for several months been preparing for the dream rv Can/Alaska trip. We have poured over websites and think we have a good grip on what to expect.
The issue of towed vehicle brakes is some what vague.

We have a 2003 ford ranger on a blue ox tow bar, safety chains, lights, and a brake away system.
towed behind an 07 mh with a 10K hitch.

Are we OK. .if not what do we need to do, or were do we go to find out?

Thanks 4 all..jw

Eric, he lists the items he DOES have. You have to assume that he would have listed a supplemental brake system if he had one. Don't ya think?:R And then he asks if he is OK and others replied with an additional need for a toad brake system. Seems perfectly logical to me.

Ron