Brake systems- Motohome Magazine

johnwalkerpa1 wrote:

Campinghoss@51 wrote:

mowermech wrote:

loggenrock wrote:
The other thing to consider, whether or not one needs a supplemental brake system due to size of coach, etc., is a break-away device to lock up the tow vehicle if it disconnects. Law or not, I wouldn't want to be responsible for my toad careening out of control into oncoming traffic, etc. ST

Seems to me it is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario.
While having it "careen out of control into oncoming traffic" would certainly not be an ideal situation, neither would having it come to a screeching halt in the midst of 70 MPH traffic! The resultant chain reaction crash could be horrific.
The best bet would be to have safety chains or cables attached in such a manner that the toad could not separate completely except in the unlikely event of total systemic failure i.e. the entire back of the coach frame broke off.

I do not use an emergency brake away system either. The base plate is bolted to the uniframe, a cable is wrapped around the base plate and uniframe, there are two heavy safety cables attached to the car and motor home, and if I was really worried I would install two more safety cables rather than a brake away system. My take is if the tow bars break, the safety cables break then I have a LOT more to worry about than having a emergency break away system. Chances are I would not be around to worry if all those items broke at the same time.

I had the same thought for the same reasons...there is so much redundancy built into the tow bar that it seems very unlikely it is all going to break lose at once....if it does, it is going to be in a catastrophic explosive type of accident where everything is loose and a breakaway device will be irrelevant..