sh410 wrote:
I must be missing something. My understanding is that the breakaway system is to apply the brakes on the toad in the event of a breakway. The safety chains are to maintain control of the toad until you can get safely stopped. The idea of a breakaway toad crashing either into a ditch or to someone else is frightening.
None of the breakaway systems are supposed to activate until both the tow bar AND the safety chains have failed. I suppose one could hook it up so that the breakaway engages while the safety chains are still intact. In fact, that's an interesting idea. :h
My jeep emergency brake engages only the rear wheel service brakes. I think that's plenty since all hell will "break loose" anyway. A little longer stopping distance (4w vs 2w) in this case is highly theoretical anyway, since the toad will probably well off the road.
As you can tell, after all this discussion, I think I will proceed with this idea. I will not hook in electrically, but instead install a mini-solenoid that will push the switch just link my finger does.
I have tested what happens when I trigger the brake while in motion. The results are good. The brakes engage very firmly and it comes to a rapid stop. No complaints from the various systems.
So all I need is a break-away switch (about $7) and a solenoid (about $15).
