tow vehicle

Yes.... You'll stop quicker and like Dennis said above, you'll have brakes engaged if your toad becomes disconnected from the MH. Disconnections occur.

It is safe to say that any working supplemental braking system will stop the combined motorhome and towed vehicle in a shorter distance no matter the size of the rigs. I think that is safe to say that whatever that reduction, it is only important if that extra distance would have prevented a collision which could result in serious damage, injury or death in that particular instance and that really is the bottom line. Will you ever be in that situation??, probably not, but if you are the unfortunate one to have it happen to you then you will realize that all the rationalization in the world means nothing.

bjroadshow wrote:
is it neccessary to have an extra braking system on the tow vehicle

Every rig will stop quicker with a supplemental braking system on the towed vehicle and even if just a little bit on the larger rigs and lighter toads. So, with that said, yes it is necessary.

As a finally retired LEO after 32 years and now towing a toad for 3 years, I am all in when it comes to an auxiliary braking system and everything necessary to keep the toad from launching down the highway on its own. One of my favorite caveats in life personally and professionally is, "Fortune favors the prepared mind".

kaydeejay wrote:

klutchdust wrote:
My tow bar fastens to plates fabricated and bolted through the aftermarket bumper into the jeeps frame using grade 8 bolts. My safety cables are fastened to the frame of the jeep. Not getting away. I don't trust manufactured baseplates after looking at some of them.

You are in great shape. I wish all hookups were as robust as yours. The chance of you having a runaway is pretty much zero!

If you have an aftermarket bumper on your jeep a decent welding shop cam build a custom fit for your application and much less than a baseplate. Friend had his pickup suddenly appear in his mirror as the baseplate failed and it was one of well known manufacturing. He was able to bring everything to a safe stop. The baseplate was removed, a welder reinforced and repaired the poor welds and he tows that full size GM like butter. How many inspect their gear after it's installed or just rely on what the seller told them. Preventive maintenance is important.

klutchdust wrote:
My tow bar fastens to plates fabricated and bolted through the aftermarket bumper into the jeeps frame using grade 8 bolts. My safety cables are fastened to the frame of the jeep. Not getting away. I don't trust manufactured baseplates after looking at some of them.

You are in great shape. I wish all hookups were as robust as yours. The chance of you having a runaway is pretty much zero!

kaydeejay wrote:

klutchdust wrote:
"Second consideration - if the toad breaks away, what is going to stop it? Let's hope it's a barrier or a tree, not a minivan full of a family of kids."
What are the safety chains for? If the toad breaks away it may be banging away at the back of your coach but if the chains/cables are unable to hold it back there why bother to put them on? For the amount of toads being moved everyday verses how many have actually gotten loose the odds of it happening are slim. Like flying, some do crash but not very often.
I agree with having all available safety features but why chains/cables if they don't do anything or the concern is they won't do anything.Just install a breakaway braking system.

There have been instances of the hitch plate breaking away from the toad. Unless there are safety chains at the toad end as well as the MoHo then there is a vehicle on the loose! Absolutely a rare occurrence but don't say it can't happen!

My tow bar fastens to plates fabricated and bolted through the aftermarket bumper into the jeeps frame using grade 8 bolts. My safety cables are fastened to the frame of the jeep. Not getting away. I don't trust manufactured baseplates after looking at some of them.

klutchdust wrote:
"Second consideration - if the toad breaks away, what is going to stop it? Let's hope it's a barrier or a tree, not a minivan full of a family of kids."
What are the safety chains for? If the toad breaks away it may be banging away at the back of your coach but if the chains/cables are unable to hold it back there why bother to put them on? For the amount of toads being moved everyday verses how many have actually gotten loose the odds of it happening are slim. Like flying, some do crash but not very often.
I agree with having all available safety features but why chains/cables if they don't do anything or the concern is they won't do anything.Just install a breakaway braking system.

There have been instances of the hitch plate breaking away from the toad. Unless there are safety chains at the toad end as well as the MoHo then there is a vehicle on the loose! Absolutely a rare occurrence but don't say it can't happen!

kaydeejay wrote:

bjroadshow wrote:
is it neccessary to have an extra braking system on the tow vehicle

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I'm assuming you are asking if you need an auxiliary braking system on a vehicle you are towing behind a motorhome? Also known as a Toad.

I don't know what the LAW requires in BC (or anywhere in Canada for that matter) but, as others have stated, there are some States that require brakes on the toad.

Regardless of the legalities, the Law of Physics comes into play. An unbraked toad will increase your EMERGENCY stopping distance - period!
How much it increases it will depend on the weight of the toad as a percentage of the weight of the towing vehicle.
If you have a 20,000# motorhome with a 4000# toad behind it, without brakes your "stand on the pedal" stopping distance will increase by 20%. Enough to put you into the back of a semi-trailer or the back seat of the car that stopped in front of you.

Second consideration - if the toad breaks away, what is going to stop it? Let's hope it's a barrier or a tree, not a minivan full of a family of kids.

Bottom line? - get brakes!

"Second consideration - if the toad breaks away, what is going to stop it? Let's hope it's a barrier or a tree, not a minivan full of a family of kids."
What are the safety chains for? If the toad breaks away it may be banging away at the back of your coach but if the chains/cables are unable to hold it back there why bother to put them on? For the amount of toads being moved everyday verses how many have actually gotten loose the odds of it happening are slim. Like flying, some do crash but not very often.
I agree with having all available safety features but why chains/cables if they don't do anything or the concern is they won't do anything.Just install a breakaway braking system.

bjroadshow wrote:
is it neccessary to have an extra braking system on the tow vehicle

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I'm assuming you are asking if you need an auxiliary braking system on a vehicle you are towing behind a motorhome? Also known as a Toad.

I don't know what the LAW requires in BC (or anywhere in Canada for that matter) but, as others have stated, there are some States that require brakes on the toad.

Regardless of the legalities, the Law of Physics comes into play. An unbraked toad will increase your EMERGENCY stopping distance - period!
How much it increases it will depend on the weight of the toad as a percentage of the weight of the towing vehicle.
If you have a 20,000# motorhome with a 4000# toad behind it, without brakes your "stand on the pedal" stopping distance will increase by 20%. Enough to put you into the back of a semi-trailer or the back seat of the car that stopped in front of you.

Second consideration - if the toad breaks away, what is going to stop it? Let's hope it's a barrier or a tree, not a minivan full of a family of kids.

Bottom line? - get brakes!