CA Traveler
The Western States
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kccougar wrote:I'm interested to hear from those who have towed a Suzuki Samurai. They are very light (~2,100 lb). Do you use supplemental brakes?
I have an older 30-ft Class A that weighs in around 12,000 lbs. I had a 12K Pace towing a bug and coming down a hill I wanted to turn left at the bottom with no toad brakes. Well i did stop and turn left with over heated smoking brakes. Well I was younger then but I never forgot that lesson.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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WeZe
Maryland
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Johnny T,
Your information was extremely helpful to a' newbee' like me. Thank you!
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Dragonrover401
Tyler
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Joined: 06/18/2010
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I use my D-Brake Professional Tow Brake mostly for safety reasons of having a shorter braking distance.
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isa
Richmond, B.C. Canada
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Joined: 08/17/2001
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The fact is that there are very few states and or provinces that require auxiliary brakes on a TOWED VEHICLE provided that the combination of vehicles can pass a stated perfomance test with respect to speed and braking distance and/or a given weight limit. The speed stated is always 20mph. and the distance varies from 25 ft. to 50 ft. The weight limits stated run from 1500 lb.(NV) to 5000 lb. (AK). Only AK, FL, NC, NV & WI show a weight limit. HI, ND & DC statutes are not available on line.
Check the DMV statutes where you live. Do not get caught up with the argument that a TOWED VEHICLE is a TRAILER, it is not a TRAILER but you have to look at the wording used in the STATUTES with respect to what is being TOWED.
If your state does not specifically outline the rules for a TOWED VEHICLE then there is no applicable statute.
The best reference that I have found with respect to the 50 states is:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html
I live in the Province of British Columbia, Canada where the rules for auxiliary braking requirements when towing are quite simple and very easy to understand:
MOTOR VEHICLE ACT REGULATIONS Continued
B.C. Reg. 26/58
Division 5 Brakes
Section 5.02.(7) Brakes and coordinated brake control are not required on a towed motor vehicle that has a laden gross vehicle weight less than 2000 kg and that is less than 40% of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor home towing it via a tow bar.
B.C. Regs. 69/59, s. (j); 46/67, s. 10; 226/67, s. 4; 205/72, s. 6; 343/77; 459/77, s. 2; 256/84, s. 6; 257/96, s. 1; 109/97,
FYI: 2000 kg. is 4409.2 lb.
The 40% rule will apply to vehicles that weigh less than 5000 kg. or 11023.1 lb.
P.S.(1) As far as I know, none of the auxiliary braking systems available today meet any kind of FEDERAL /STATE or PROVINCIAL standard.
P.S.(2) In British Columbia, the same people that make the DMV rules i.e. the Government of B.C., are also the same people who insure us - ICBC, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Crown Corporation.
P.S.(3) "driveby" in a previous write up on this subject is correct in stating that British Columbia, Canada is one of the few provinces and/or states to specifically address the auxilliary brake requirements for motorhomes towing another vehicle. However in his post you should change the 2000# to 2000kg. Canada is a "metric" country. Ho! Ho! censored Ho!
* This post was
edited 06/17/11 01:44pm by isa *
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csdavis62
US
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Joined: 12/30/2010
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teebee1 wrote:Is anyone familiar with the ReadyBrake surge system?
I have heard of the Ready Break surge system. I have a Freelander 32BH Class C motor home on the 2010 Ford E450 chassis with a CGVW of 20,000 LBS. Coachmen is one of the few who publish the as built weight of their coaches and mine is 12,316 lbs which is reasonably lite I guess due to the use of aluminum and Azdel Superlite Composite walls. I will be towing a 2004 Toyota 4Runner (V8 2WD) with a Remco drive shaft disconnect, Roadmaster base plate and ReadyBrute tow bar with the integrated Ready Break system. In normal operating conditions I do believe that the MH breaks will stop the combined weight of the toad and coach however it is emergency situations that concern me. I have 5 children and believe it would be irresponsible not to have a supplemental breaking system installed.
The ReadyBreak System is simple, affordable, and well reviewed by many satisfied owners who have towed for years. I was going down the Blue OX Patriot road until I read the horror stories of setup issues especially considering the cost of the unit.
Bottom line I like the simplicity of the Ready Break system and the fact that it is fully mechanical and physically cannot apply the brakes in error if correctly installed and maintained. It also cost about half what most other systems cost.
I recommend anyone looking into SBS check it out.
Scott
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Pete Amanda
Vacaville, Ca.
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Absolutely neccessary and probably legally required depending on your state, or the state/country you are in.
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mikeintn
Lenoir City TN
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After reading all this, my brain hurts. I believe I will get a Brake Buddy to go in my toad (looking more like a Jeep Wrangler everyday) when I get it. I will hook up a light inside the MH to tell me when the toad brake pedal is pressed (brake lights on) so maybe that will protect my toads brakes in case of trouble with the braking unit. Thanks to Johhny for the write up and all who gave an opinion.
Mike, Cindy, Chris and Spunky the Cocker Spaniel & Naro the cat
2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 38 PST
Cummings 330
Onan 7500 Watt Generator
Master Tow 80THD tow dolly
2009 Mini Cooper S Toad
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steppinstone
plymouth ma.
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I am looking for a toad for my rig and was looking at the
ReadyBrake™ Supplemental Brake Systems.
I can see in the video how it stops with the cable but what if the toad breaks away ? will the brakes apply ? how do the brakes work if it breaks away
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Modocbrave
Bellingham, WA
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Joined: 02/18/2011
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Depending on the type of brake system on your MH, you might consider a SMI Air Force One or SMI-Duo braking system. Seems to be highly recommended by many RV performance shops.
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Dutch_12078
Winters south, summers north
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steppinstone wrote:I am looking for a toad for my rig and was looking at the
ReadyBrake™ Supplemental Brake Systems.
I can see in the video how it stops with the cable but what if the toad breaks away ? will the brakes apply ? how do the brakes work if it breaks away
NSA makes the "Readystop Towed Vehicle Break Away" system that sells for $100. It's also cable actuated, and hooks up just as easily as the ReadyBrake system.
Readystop Towed Vehicle Break Away
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F53 chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
Bigfoot Automatic Leveling System
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate
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