Toad brakes

Keep in mind that most of the "List of Towing Laws" that you find on the internet are referencing TRAILER towing laws. Such lists are also sponsored by towed vehicle brake system manufacturers, so naturally they are going to try to tell the world that their product is required in most states BY LAW!
However, in many states the legal definition of "TRAILER" is such that a towed motor vehicle is definitely NOT a "trailer"!
However, (again), some states (and FMVSS) have braking performance standards. Here in Montana, for ANY "combination of vehicles", it is on a level clean hard surface you must be able to stop within 40 feet from 20 MPH (MCA 61-9-312). In CA, IIRC, it is 45 feet. I don't remember what the FMVSS standard is.
No, reciprocity does NOT apply. Reciprocity generally only applies to driver licensing, insurance and registration requirements.
Also keep in mind that at 60 mph you will very likely travel about 88 feet before your foot hits the brake pedal! (http://www.random-science-tools.com/physics/stopping-distance.htm) It will take you well over 100 feet to come to a stop after your foot hits the brake!
I once had a big dog run out in front of me. I hit it before I could even THINK about hitting the brake! I was driving a Ford E150 Club Wagon with 2 people in it and no cargo, nothing in tow. This was about 20 years ago, when my reflexes were pretty good. I had no chance to do ANYTHING!

The issue is that toads are not trailers. They are capable of motive power and fall under different regs. When was the last time your car was towed by. Tow truck. They do not put tow brakes on your car. You have to be legal in you state and many have performance braking standards. That said I did not have a brake on my wrangler but put one on my grand.

I don't know the answer to your question.

What I do know is that if your toad becomes separated from your rig then toad brakes become an issue.

I was in a car wash one time with my toad and the brushes pulled the pin out of my breakaway switch. I'm here to tell you that car wasn't moving anywhere until I got out and put the spare pin in.

So I'm confident my toad will stop pretty fast if it breaks away from my coach for some unknown reason.

So much misinformation.....

All States have reciprocal agreements that allows for you to travel from State to State and if it's legal in your home State it will be legal in the other States.

However, these reciprocal agreements DO NOT apply to SAFETY issues.

Using the argument that whatever is legal in your State would apply in other States, try driving over 55MPH in California while you're towing. Other examples besides speed are weight and length limitations. Reciprocal agreements apply to such things such as driver's licensing, registration and NON SAFETY items. In other words, if you're driving in a State that requires brakes on your toad, you will be in violation if it does not and subject to citation depending on the mind set of the LEO that stops you.....Dennis

Your home state laws should apply.
However I would start thinking about getting an auxiliary braking system. It is a good safety item.

bkd148 wrote:
I am sure that many of us that have diesel pushers or even some gas pots have more than enough braking power to stop even with a toad. The fact still remains if your toad breaks away how will it stop. How would you feel if your hitch broke and your toad went into oncoming traffic and killed someone? I too pull a Jeep wrangler, it has a break-away brake for just that reason! Marty

That's what safety chains are for..

Or safety cables...

I am sure that many of us that have diesel pushers or even some gas pots have more than enough braking power to stop even with a toad. The fact still remains if your toad breaks away how will it stop. How would you feel if your hitch broke and your toad went into oncoming traffic and killed someone? I too pull a Jeep wrangler, it has a break-away brake for just that reason! Marty

some states you dont need brakes if you can stop in so many feet from a set mph,but some of these require break away brakes

It is best to check the specific requirements for each state - there is an on-line summary (just do a search with your favorite search engine).
HOWEVER...while a brake in the towed may not be required by law, it is certainly a VERY good thing to have and use! (One Panic Stop that was successful that could have had a much different result made a true believer (in toad brakes) out of me!!!

(On edit - the '1 & 3/4 ton brick' behind will keep-on pushing at road speed until something (brakes or otherwise) slows it or stops it!!)

There are many different options available - some better than others. FWIW - after much research (several years ago - I'm sure the technology has improved since then) I purchased and installed the Mountain Master system - and moved it from my previous MoHo to my present DP AND later moved it from my previous toad to my present (Saturn Outlook) toad. I have been VERY happy with it.

bsinmich wrote:

timmac wrote:
Nope its not a issue unless in a accident or highway patrol inspection, the inspection may never happen in your life time.

I don't have brakes on my toad {04 Wrangler} and don't need them, my tow-haul trans has the engine/trans brake and I can stop in a short order, also drive slower and don't tail gate and you won't need them..

That's unless your toad is very heavy..

I would never make such a statement as this. If an emergency happens you may not be so quick. What if a child runs out very close to you, or someone cuts in front and stops quick. You are probably much better and your MH is so much safer than all the other people who are mere humans.

If a child or adult runs in front of me on the highway at 60 mph a toad brake isn't going to help that poor soul, at slow speeds my stopping distance is very short, probably not going to help there as well since slow speeds are not a issue when stopping, and yes a idiot has pulled in front of me and hit his brakes but I was still able to stop in time, like I said in my 1st post if the toad is heavy than a extra brake would maybe be needed but not necessary with my 4x4 that drags along like a 1 3/4 ton brick..

Besides I am under my total weight/carrying/towing capacity..