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11-27-2015, 12:01 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 78
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Tow vehicle brake requirements
i'm adding a Honda Fit toad to my Forester 3051s. It's about 2500 lbs. My blue ox dealer doesn't think i especially need a braking system. Since it about doubles the cost of the tow setup i would prefer to avoid it too.
What i don't know if how much risk i have of being ticketed in states that require tow brakes. My research shows there aren't many states where i would be in violation. What is the reality out on on the open road?
Thanks for your response.
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2016 Forester 3051SF
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11-27-2015, 04:35 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 2,953
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While you may be under the max weight limit in most states you still need "Break Away Brakes" in those states. How do you plan to handle that requirement?
See Here and Here for a State by State guide...
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Wayne
2024 Sunseeker 2150SLEF / Ford E-350 Off-line 15 April 2024.
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11-27-2015, 05:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedLdr1
While you may be under the max weight limit in most states you still need "Break Away Brakes" in those states. How do you plan to handle that requirement?
See Here and Here for a State by State guide... |
The OP is talking about a TOAD behind a motorhome not a trailer. What's with the break away brakes? Toads just have safety cables as part of the setup.
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11-27-2015, 05:19 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles
The OP is talking about a TOAD behind a motorhome not a trailer. What's with the break away brakes? Toads just have safety cables as part of the setup.
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X2
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 06:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,198
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It's nice to have the extra braking when you need it I used a brake buddy for years on three different toads but now I'm using nothing my toad is about 32-3500 lbs my Rv is a 3050s but you have to be careful in heavy traffic. I will buy another brake buddy as soon as I find one at a great price I have about 6000 miles on Rv at this time without anything if I was towing less than 3000 lbs I wouldn't buy one just my opinion
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 2015 sunseeker 3050s. 2007 saturn aura
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11-27-2015, 06:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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I would put brakes on it.
It might not be your life you save.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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11-27-2015, 07:38 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Eagle Wisconsin
Posts: 237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles
The OP is talking about a TOAD behind a motorhome not a trailer. What's with the break away brakes? Toads just have safety cables as part of the setup.
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So are u saying that a toad is different than a trailer, and the same rules don't apply?
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11-27-2015, 07:42 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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My tt had safety chains. And a break away.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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11-27-2015, 07:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Tow vehicle brake requirements
3000lbs @ 60mph turns into 363000 lbs of kinetic energy.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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11-27-2015, 07:44 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rekwiat
So are u saying that a toad is different than a trailer, and the same rules don't apply?
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When it comes to any requirement, referencing "breakaway braking", for our TOAD application, that is correct.
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11-27-2015, 07:47 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Blue ox patriot. Under $950 and has break away.
Easy.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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11-27-2015, 07:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rekwiat
So are u saying that a toad is different than a trailer, and the same rules don't apply?
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Big difference when you have a 20,000 lb vehicle pulling a 3,000 lb vehicle
Vice a
3,000 lb vehicle pulling a 20,000 vehicle
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 08:04 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Towing World Official Website
Check each state
Brake laws for towed cars
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 08:18 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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I always thought it is what your register State requires? Just like Calif. You need a class B for a M/H 40' I think, but if your traveling through it, It doesn't apply to you unless your state requires it.
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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11-27-2015, 08:26 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gljurczyk
I always thought it is what your register State requires? Just like Calif. You need a class B for a M/H 40' I think, but if your traveling through it, It doesn't apply to you unless your state requires it.
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Correct
Otherwise you would have to set up your rig for the most stringent states towing law in order to travel anywhere
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 08:49 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSMRetired
Correct
Otherwise you would have to set up your rig for the most stringent states towing law in order to travel anywhere
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Be sure to check with the state.
For instance.
You cannot triple tow in British Columbia. Even though, it's allowed in say, Alberta.
You will get turned around and sent away.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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11-27-2015, 08:51 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny kustom
Be sure to check with the state.
For instance.
You cannot triple tow in British Columbia. Even though, it's allowed in say, Alberta.
You will get turned around and sent away.
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That's a common sense factor, but setting up your towing system for California when you're registered in Oklahoma is not common sense
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 09:08 PM
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#18
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: North Georgia
Posts: 2,953
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles
The OP is talking about a TOAD behind a motorhome not a trailer. What's with the break away brakes? Toads just have safety cables as part of the setup.
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That is not correct in all jurisdictions. Break away brakes are a requirement in several states. The chart Here, albeit a little out of date, shows 37 states, the ones with a *, that require a break away system on a TOAD that exceeds the state brake weight requirements. A call to your local DMV will find out the actual requirements for your state. Take a look at Page 27 of the 2015 Motor Home Dinghy Guide for their take on the issue.
IMHO if you're towing without a braking, or break away, system installed you are looking for trouble. If you get into an accident you just may find trouble. Everyone is welcome to do what they think is "right" but don't complain if it comes back to bite you... 
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Wayne
2024 Sunseeker 2150SLEF / Ford E-350 Off-line 15 April 2024.
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11-27-2015, 09:27 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: N. Central Texas
Posts: 1,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedLdr1
That is not correct in all jurisdictions. Break away brakes are a requirement in several states. The chart Here, albeit a little out of date, shows 37 states, the ones with a *, that require a break away system on a TOAD that exceeds the state brake weight requirements. A call to your local DMV will find out the actual requirements for your state. Take a look at Page 27 of the 2015 Motor Home Dinghy Guide for their take on the issue.
IMHO if you're towing without a braking, or break away, system installed you are looking for trouble. If you get into an accident you just may find trouble. Everyone is welcome to do what they think is "right" but don't complain if it comes back to bite you...
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Most, if not ALL references to towing are talking about trailers....there is where I feel a lot of confusion comes in to play. Towing with a motorhome is completely different than towing with a pick-up or a standard vehicle. The question is the 'legality' of the matter.....again. .. common sense. Also, keep in mind that a toad brake manufacturer is going to say enough to try to potentially scare someone into buying something they may not need. I'm not saying I don't agree with the need for auxiliary brakes....I'm just saying it's not necessarily 'law'
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'Pa Pa's Palace'
2014 Sportscoach Crosscountry 405FK
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
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11-27-2015, 09:38 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,464
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It's not illegal for me to stick my bloody hand into a tank full of piranhas..
I just know, it's not a great idea.
Common sense, isn't so common.
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2017 Dynamax Isata 4
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