Toad / Tow Brakes

[Don Bradner]

It is difficult/impossible for any website to keep up with all state laws, so I
would never take them as gospel for a specific state.

I have read warnings about citations, insurance, etc for years and have never
seen a substantiated case to back up the warnings.

BUT - I use a brake with breakaway all of the time, every time. Nothing to do
with laws or insurance. If my toad ever breaks away I want maximum assurance
that it will not go careening at full speed into a headon with some family car!
There may be a collision with my stopped-or-stopping toad, but it will be at
much less impact than a headon.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Posting today by satellite from Florida City, getting ready for a car trip down
to Key West today
My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1

On 11/20/2008 at 12:19 PM putneyflash@... wrote:

>You can go to a web site that tells you by state what the requirements
>are. I think only two states require no braking regardless of weight, 26
>states if it is over 3000 pounds you are required.I think the information
>is on the towmaster tow site
>re brake 1984 pt-40 and 1983 Fc-35

[Al Scudder]

you should check your state in any case I will tell you that any ANY trailer that has 1200 of weight has breaks the same go true on any thing that is towed because of the weight. look at ANY boat or cargo trailer

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:58 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Al,

There are differing rules (laws)in different states regarding brakes for towed vehicles. some state don't even require aux brakes.No doubt it is clearly safer and smarter to have a braking system with a breakaway feature. My suburban requires no pump becauce my master cylinder is a vacuum.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Al Scudder com> wrote:

I agree with Jim on the M&G Braking. They have a site just Google and they will give you a list of who they can hook up to. I pull a Tahoe and it works fine. For your info If you use this system you should have two female air plug hookups one on the car onthe Bird and use a double ended male plug for air supply attachment It takes me about 3/4 minutes to hook up and go, brakes and all, but to my knowledge there is no feedback to the coach on the car brakes. another good thing is if you were to change toads, M&G will trade your old pump control (it goes between you master booster and master cylinder) for $400.00 and you are set to go.

Since I have another toad I am looking for a M&G for a 06 Trailblazer anybody have a lead?

Jim if you are reading this IF you were to be pulled over or heaven forbid you got in a accident with you Jeep attached, you are in violation. Not to mention your insurance would be out the window if no brakes on Jeep or any toad that is 1,200 pounds or more. this is the law.

Scooter

2000LX

Ocqueoc, MI

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:24 AM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Dan,

I have both a jeep wrangler and chevy suburban, as toads. When I towed the jeep wrangler I did not have an aux braking system, the coach seemed to handle this fine. a breakaway situation would have been a problem however. When I decided to tow the suburban I did research and ended up using the M&G system.The hardest part was probally tapping into the brake system of the bus. Installation on the suburban took some time but once we read the instructions things went faster. LOL

www.m-gengineering.com

Jim Riordan

88 WBWL XXV

Stuart, Fl

772 -260 -1328

drw907 com> wrote:

We will begin full timing within the next 6 months. Our motorhome is
a 1994 Bluebird BMC diesel pusher with a Spartan air brake chassis
(mountain master type class) , tow car is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
wagon 5 speed.

I have done some net research, and have not made a final decison.

I do not want to have to add/remove any components inside the the tow
car to tow/drive. I want feedback inside the coach of what the toad
brakes are doing.

I will likely install myself, and while mechanically inclined, and I
have most tools, easier install is always nice - if it doesn't give
up too many features.

Thus far I am at:
SMI Air Force One
SMI Stay In Play Duo
US Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000

I could use any advice/rational to help me decide,
Thanks,
Dan
94 BB BMC 37'
Albuquerque NM

[jim riordan]

al,

we agree that it is sensible and safer to have brakes and a breakaway system for your toad, but you are not correct about legal requirements in all cases.

jim riordan

88 WBWL XXV

stuart, fl

Al Scudder wrote:

you should check your state in any case I will tell you that any ANY trailer that has 1200 of weight has breaks the same go true on any thing that is towed because of the weight. look at ANY boat or cargo trailer

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:58 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Al,

There are differing rules (laws)in different states regarding brakes for towed vehicles. some state don't even require aux brakes.No doubt it is clearly safer and smarter to have a braking system with a breakaway feature. My suburban requires no pump becauce my master cylinder is a vacuum.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Al Scudder com> wrote:

I agree with Jim on the M&G Braking. They have a site just Google and they will give you a list of who they can hook up to. I pull a Tahoe and it works fine. For your info If you use this system you should have two female air plug hookups one on the car onthe Bird and use a double ended male plug for air supply attachment It takes me about 3/4 minutes to hook up and go, brakes and all, but to my knowledge there is no feedback to the coach on the car brakes. another good thing is if you were to change toads, M&G will trade your old pump control (it goes between you master booster and master cylinder) for $400.00 and you are set to go.

Since I have another toad I am looking for a M&G for a 06 Trailblazer anybody have a lead?

Jim if you are reading this IF you were to be pulled over or heaven forbid you got in a accident with you Jeep attached, you are in violation. Not to mention your insurance would be out the window if no brakes on Jeep or any toad that is 1,200 pounds or more. this is the law.

Scooter

2000LX

Ocqueoc, MI

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:24 AM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject:
Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Dan,

I have both a jeep wrangler and chevy suburban, as toads. When I towed the jeep wrangler I did not have an aux braking system, the coach seemed to handle this fine. a breakaway situation would have been a problem however. When I decided to tow the suburban I did research and ended up using the M&G system.The hardest part was probally tapping into the brake system of the bus. Installation on the suburban took some time but once we read the instructions things went faster. LOL

www.m-gengineering.com

Jim Riordan

88 WBWL XXV

Stuart, Fl

772 -260
-1328

drw907 com> wrote:

We will begin full timing within the next 6 months. Our motorhome is
a 1994 Bluebird BMC diesel pusher with a Spartan air brake chassis
(mountain master type class) , tow car is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
wagon 5 speed.

I have done some net research, and have not made a final decison.

I do not want to have to add/remove any components inside the the tow
car to tow/drive. I want feedback inside the coach of what the toad
brakes are doing.

I will likely install myself, and while mechanically inclined, and I
have most tools, easier install is always nice - if it doesn't give
up too many features.

Thus far I am at:
SMI Air Force One
SMI Stay In Play Duo
US Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000

I could use any advice/rational to help me
decide,
Thanks,
Dan
94 BB BMC 37'
Albuquerque NM

[Tom McCarthy]

I highly recommend SMI Air Force One. It is fantastic and always
works. I asked the CEO to come to our SWBB rally in January and they
talked to all who wanted to see the instllation on my Jeep Rubicon.
Their footprint is small compared to competitors. The connection to
the coach air is secure and reliable. A great product. I have had
it for almost a year and love it.


Tommy 2 Shoes McCarthy
95 PT42
Poway, CA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "drw907" wrote:
>
> We will begin full timing within the next 6 months. Our motorhome
is
> a 1994 Bluebird BMC diesel pusher with a Spartan air brake chassis
> (mountain master type class) , tow car is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
> wagon 5 speed.
>
> I have done some net research, and have not made a final decison.
>
> I do not want to have to add/remove any components inside the the
tow
> car to tow/drive. I want feedback inside the coach of what the toad
> brakes are doing.
>
> I will likely install myself, and while mechanically inclined, and
I
> have most tools, easier install is always nice - if it doesn't give
> up too many features.
>
> Thus far I am at:
> SMI Air Force One
> SMI Stay In Play Duo
> US Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000
>
> I could use any advice/rational to help me decide,
> Thanks,
> Dan
> 94 BB BMC 37'
> Albuquerque NM
>

[Al Scudder]

I sure wish I had the list that included every State on toads and trailers all above 1,200 pounds

in any case I am legal

scooter

0040XL Plymouth, mi

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 9:10 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

al,

we agree that it is sensible and safer to have brakes and a breakaway system for your toad, but you are not correct about legal requirements in all cases.

jim riordan

88 WBWL XXV

stuart, fl

Al Scudder com> wrote:

you should check your state in any case I will tell you that any ANY trailer that has 1200 of weight has breaks the same go true on any thing that is towed because of the weight. look at ANY boat or cargo trailer

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:58 PM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Al,

There are differing rules (laws)in different states regarding brakes for towed vehicles. some state don't even require aux brakes.No doubt it is clearly safer and smarter to have a braking system with a breakaway feature. My suburban requires no pump becauce my master cylinder is a vacuum.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Al Scudder com> wrote:

I agree with Jim on the M&G Braking. They have a site just Google and they will give you a list of who they can hook up to. I pull a Tahoe and it works fine. For your info If you use this system you should have two female air plug hookups one on the car onthe Bird and use a double ended male plug for air supply attachment It takes me about 3/4 minutes to hook up and go, brakes and all, but to my knowledge there is no feedback to the coach on the car brakes. another good thing is if you were to change toads, M&G will trade your old pump control (it goes between you master booster and master cylinder) for $400.00 and you are set to go.

Since I have another toad I am looking for a M&G for a 06 Trailblazer anybody have a lead?

Jim if you are reading this IF you were to be pulled over or heaven forbid you got in a accident with you Jeep attached, you are in violation. Not to mention your insurance would be out the window if no brakes on Jeep or any toad that is 1,200 pounds or more. this is the law.

Scooter

2000LX

Ocqueoc, MI

----- Original Message -----

From: jim riordan

Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:24 AM

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Toad / Tow Brakes

Dan,

I have both a jeep wrangler and chevy suburban, as toads. When I towed the jeep wrangler I did not have an aux braking system, the coach seemed to handle this fine. a breakaway situation would have been a problem however. When I decided to tow the suburban I did research and ended up using the M&G system.The hardest part was probally tapping into the brake system of the bus. Installation on the suburban took some time but once we read the instructions things went faster. LOL

www.m-gengineering.com

Jim Riordan

88 WBWL XXV

Stuart, Fl

772 -260 -1328

drw907 com> wrote:

We will begin full timing within the next 6 months. Our motorhome is
a 1994 Bluebird BMC diesel pusher with a Spartan air brake chassis
(mountain master type class) , tow car is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
wagon 5 speed.

I have done some net research, and have not made a final decison.

I do not want to have to add/remove any components inside the the tow
car to tow/drive. I want feedback inside the coach of what the toad
brakes are doing.

I will likely install myself, and while mechanically inclined, and I
have most tools, easier install is always nice - if it doesn't give
up too many features.

Thus far I am at:
SMI Air Force One
SMI Stay In Play Duo
US Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000

I could use any advice/rational to help me decide,
Thanks,
Dan
94 BB BMC 37'
Albuquerque NM

[Pete Masterson]

Since you are likely to pull your toad into a state with a 1200 or
1500 lb. brake requirement, then even if you live in a state that has
a higher limit, then you may as well comply with the lowest limit of
all the states (at least that you're likely to travel in).

Since there are almost no automobiles suitable for use as a toad that
weigh less than 1500 lbs, then you may as well comply with the
supplemental brake rule anyway. Besides, even for the lightest weight
toad, a supplemental brake is a good idea, even if it is only for
breakaway protection.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart, TX



On Nov 24, 2008, at 10:56 AM, Al Scudder wrote:

> I sure wish I had the list that included every State on toads and
> trailers all above 1,200 pounds
> in any case I am legal
> scooter
>

[drw907]

Thanks to all who replied. After considering all, I ordered the US
Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000 from pplmotorhomes.com on sale for
$895 (usually $1295).

For those of you with the Unified Tow Brake, there is a new upgrade
for better feedback inside the motorhome.
It is:
Provides a visual and audible alarm in the coach when the towed
vehicles brakes are applied and they shouldn't be.
Protects against brake damage in the towed vehicle.
Compatible on towed vehicles where brake lights function when the
ignition is off.

$95 trade in: http://www.usgear.cc/magazine/utb_pm6002.htm

Dan



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "drw907" wrote:
>
> We will begin full timing within the next 6 months. Our motorhome
is
> a 1994 Bluebird BMC diesel pusher with a Spartan air brake chassis
> (mountain master type class) , tow car is a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX
> wagon 5 speed.
>
> I have done some net research, and have not made a final decison.
>
> I do not want to have to add/remove any components inside the the
tow
> car to tow/drive. I want feedback inside the coach of what the toad
> brakes are doing.
>
> I will likely install myself, and while mechanically inclined, and
I
> have most tools, easier install is always nice - if it doesn't give
> up too many features.
>
> Thus far I am at:
> SMI Air Force One
> SMI Stay In Play Duo
> US Gear Unified Tow Brake UTB-1000
>
> I could use any advice/rational to help me decide,
> Thanks,
> Dan
> 94 BB BMC 37'
> Albuquerque NM
>