Forum Discussion

sloman2001's avatar
sloman2001
Explorer
Jul 29, 2014

TOAD Braking System Question...

We are no longer a "motorhome wanna be's", as we finally just bought our 1st motorhome and will take delivery in about 3 weeks. I am working to buy and arrange an install of a Blue Ox (Alpha?) and a braking system. I wanted to install the Air Force 1 system. The guy says he will install it (sounded tentative, not much experience), but recommended a Patriot braking system. I asked how you adjust it so you do not over or under brake the TOAD. He says, you can, but you really can't feel the TOAD when you are towing, so the adjustment is not an exact science. He says mostly these braking systems are for insurance purposes and use in the event the TOAD breaks away from the motorhome, the brakes will get applied and stop the vehicle.

So, does this sound correct to any of you? Any comments on which system to install? I called around a few AF1 installers, and none of them sounded very experienced. I am in the western burbs of Chicago.

Thanks in advance, any comments or recommendations are welcome.
Tom
Class A
  • holstein13's avatar
    holstein13
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    robatthelake wrote:
    Do whatever You want re a braking system. FYI Not One of the units available have any sort of approval of use by any Government agency ,Insurance Company or any other governing body .

    Of course neither do the. tow Bars and Base Plates that We All Use .

    Legally speaking You might just as well be Towing using a piece of Rope!

    Well We All know that that wasn't a very safe way of towing but ask Yourself How can there be regulations when there are no Performance Standards or Safety Guidlines ?

    We All want Our Rigs as safe as possible so Do whatever You can to make sure that Yours is!

    Regulations or Not We All need to take every precaution that We can to never Harm Ourselves or Others!


    I think the current system of non-regulation seems to be working very well. I'm not aware of any accidents or fatalities associated with Blue Ox, or any other tow bar. Do you feel that there is a need for additional regulations and or safety standards? If so, where is your evidence and also, who would you propose issue these new standards? Would there be a benefit relative to the additional cost?
  • xctraveler's avatar
    xctraveler
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    I would want the installer to have a lot of experience with the brake system. Shop for that. It can be a non trivial install. especially getting the lighting wiring right. Many coaches are prewired for supplemental brakes, especially the UTB that I use. Would have gotten an air system with my new coach if I hadn't already had the system I had to transfer over.
  • robatthelake's avatar
    robatthelake
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    Do whatever You want re a braking system. FYI Not One of the units available have any sort of approval of use by any Government agency ,Insurance Company or any other governing body .

    Of course neither do the. tow Bars and Base Plates that We All Use .

    Legally speaking You might just as well be Towing using a piece of Rope!

    Well We All know that that wasn't a very safe way of towing but ask Yourself How can there be regulations when there are no Performance Standards or Safety Guidlines ?

    We All want Our Rigs as safe as possible so Do whatever You can to make sure that Yours is!

    Regulations or Not We All need to take every precaution that We can to never Harm Ourselves or Others!
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    I like my ReadyBrake system. When you are driving the Rocky's is is more than a back up brakes become a real comfort.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    I towed a Chev Geo with out braking. Never had a problem. Now quite a few states require a braking system. I now have the Patriot with remote and like it. The remote is nice. If you are stopped in traffic on fairly steep down grade, like freeway off ramp, it will time out and go tilt. If I see brakes are applied in that condition I can turn adjustment down. Surge brakes are just that. As toad pushes it brakes.
  • campmansd's avatar
    campmansd
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    I have the Patriot braking system on my jeep wrangler behind my 32 foot class c. I like the system, it is adjustable, easy to set up and you have a monitor on the coach dash. I think it is a good deal.
  • holstein13's avatar
    holstein13
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    I've got the SMI Air Force 1 and a Blue Ox tow bar on my 31 foot gasser.

    I'm not sure how you'd adjust the braking sensitivity because of the massive weight difference between the coach (18,500 lbs) and the toad (2,500 lbs in my case). I can definitely feel some difference when the toad brakes kick in, however.

    There is a red indicator light you can put on the dash of the Toad that lights up when the brakes go on. You have to look at your rear view camera to see it. The indicator light is on a wire and is removable every time you unhook.

    I like the system and will get the same thing in my next toad.
  • gswcgi's avatar
    gswcgi
    Explorer
    Jul 29, 2014
    I installed an SMI system on my 2000 Nissan XTerra about 10 years ago. The Nissan is a 4 X $ auto and weighs about 4,500 lbs. I tow it behind my 2003 Safari Cheetah DP, 36'. The SMI system has worked flawlessly for 45,000 miles. Great system!! The SMI system is not a box on the floor attached to the brake pedal.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Jul 29, 2014
    I have the Blue Ox Patriot system and the remote box, which sit on your RV dash, has a sensitivity adjustment that you can adjust, while you drive so that the brake does not come on too soon. A rough road can cause the brake to come on.
    The remote also has a yellow light to let you know when the brake is applied in your toad. In addition, there is a manual lever so that you can apply the toad brakes from your seat and feel the toad brakes come on.
    Now, as far as actually feeling the brakes when they are applied.....if you have a 40,000 pound RV and are towing a tiny Smart Car, I doubt if you will feel them.
    On my 21,000 pound coach, I can definitely feel the brakes when they are applied to my Chevrolet HHR.

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