rk911 wrote:smokey_truck wrote:rk911 wrote:smokey_truck wrote:
First time going to tow my jeep, I have roadmaster auxiliary brake. Before starting to tow I plug everything and do the brake test and start to tow, what about I stop in rest area or pull over during night, do I need to test everything again and go or is it ok not to do that?
Any inputs are appreciated.
Smokey
we call that a "light check". the wife sits behind the wheel of the MH and I stand back behind the toad. using walkie-talkies we test everything...brake lights, turn signals, 4-way flashers and tail lights...ensuring that each functions correctly on both the toad and MH. she then pulls the MH/toad forward a few feet to ensure that the toad wheels are turning freely. this is always the next to last thing we do before leaving a campground or park (the final thing being a final walk-around the MH and campsite). and we may do it again depending on where we stop for lunch on a travel day.
there's no right or wrong way to do it or a rule on when and how often you need to do it other than a daily check before you break camp. if it makes you comfortable to check it more often then by all means do it. I know that when we first started to tow back in 2003 I did it everytime we stopped for more than a few minutes...nervous, I guess. but over time I've become comfortable towing...comfortable but not complacent. every now and then when we're doing our 'light check' I discover a problem. that's happened often enough after 14-yrs of towing to keep me from becoming complacent.
Thanks for your reply my question was more towards do I need to retest the auxiliary brake system, e.g. If I stop for lunch or bathroom brake.
Smokey
and i answered you. our light test IS a test of our toads aux braking system as well as the connectivity of the electrical umbillical. when the driver of the MH steps on the MH brakes the brake lights on your toad should light up as well indicating that your aux brake is working. we check it before leaving in the morning which is suffcient for us. checking it as often as you feel necessary is up to you.
smokey_truck wrote:rk911 wrote:smokey_truck wrote:
First time going to tow my jeep, I have roadmaster auxiliary brake. Before starting to tow I plug everything and do the brake test and start to tow, what about I stop in rest area or pull over during night, do I need to test everything again and go or is it ok not to do that?
Any inputs are appreciated.
Smokey
we call that a "light check". the wife sits behind the wheel of the MH and I stand back behind the toad. using walkie-talkies we test everything...brake lights, turn signals, 4-way flashers and tail lights...ensuring that each functions correctly on both the toad and MH. she then pulls the MH/toad forward a few feet to ensure that the toad wheels are turning freely. this is always the next to last thing we do before leaving a campground or park (the final thing being a final walk-around the MH and campsite). and we may do it again depending on where we stop for lunch on a travel day.
there's no right or wrong way to do it or a rule on when and how often you need to do it other than a daily check before you break camp. if it makes you comfortable to check it more often then by all means do it. I know that when we first started to tow back in 2003 I did it everytime we stopped for more than a few minutes...nervous, I guess. but over time I've become comfortable towing...comfortable but not complacent. every now and then when we're doing our 'light check' I discover a problem. that's happened often enough after 14-yrs of towing to keep me from becoming complacent.
Thanks for your reply my question was more towards do I need to retest the auxiliary brake system, e.g. If I stop for lunch or bathroom brake.
Smokey
rk911 wrote:smokey_truck wrote:
First time going to tow my jeep, I have roadmaster auxiliary brake. Before starting to tow I plug everything and do the brake test and start to tow, what about I stop in rest area or pull over during night, do I need to test everything again and go or is it ok not to do that?
Any inputs are appreciated.
Smokey
we call that a "light check". the wife sits behind the wheel of the MH and I stand back behind the toad. using walkie-talkies we test everything...brake lights, turn signals, 4-way flashers and tail lights...ensuring that each functions correctly on both the toad and MH. she then pulls the MH/toad forward a few feet to ensure that the toad wheels are turning freely. this is always the next to last thing we do before leaving a campground or park (the final thing being a final walk-around the MH and campsite). and we may do it again depending on where we stop for lunch on a travel day.
there's no right or wrong way to do it or a rule on when and how often you need to do it other than a daily check before you break camp. if it makes you comfortable to check it more often then by all means do it. I know that when we first started to tow back in 2003 I did it everytime we stopped for more than a few minutes...nervous, I guess. but over time I've become comfortable towing...comfortable but not complacent. every now and then when we're doing our 'light check' I discover a problem. that's happened often enough after 14-yrs of towing to keep me from becoming complacent.
smokey_truck wrote:
First time going to tow my jeep, I have roadmaster auxiliary brake. Before starting to tow I plug everything and do the brake test and start to tow, what about I stop in rest area or pull over during night, do I need to test everything again and go or is it ok not to do that?
Any inputs are appreciated.
Smokey
