Well we have a bus with air brakes, ( 1968 MCI 5A ) and tow an 87 Jeep Wagoneer, ( just a little fancier Cherokee ), that is 4x4 with an auto trans. We use a Roadmaster tow bar, Cost new was around a grand at the time. We also have a brake system from US Gears that was about 800 bucks at the time. (4-5 years ago). Small cost compared to a lawsuit!!!! As for any car or truck you want to tow? DO NOT ask a salesman or mechanic or a friend about it! Get the owners manual, it will tell you if you can or not!! They used 2 different 4x4 systems in my jeep. Depending on which one you have determines what you do to be able to tow it. Do the wrong thing and you could be spending a lot of money real quick for repairs. I know some people with a newer jeep that did the wrong thing when towing theirs and it cost them four grand......and no, the warrenty did not cover them, and yes, that is a touchy subject between the husband and wife.

Apparently there is a mechannical breaking system named a "Blue Ox". Anyone ever heard of it? I saw a used one on E Bay for 400 bucks and i wondered how it worked. I called the local trailer guy and he says it is a box that sits on the drivers seat and when the vehicle senses less motion (via pendulum I guess) the unit employs a mechannical arm to apply pressure to your brake pedal. new they go for around 800 dollars. Is this the best way to stop my vehicle? I imagine I will be playin hell backing it up a hill with that pendulum! Thank you all..

Wanna know how well it will work? Stop the engine of the toad, pump the brakes 3 or 4 times to use up the vacuum in the booster then have someone push the the toad 50 mph, now try to stop it. No power assist huh, very hard to stop. While this scenario is impractical, unless you have either a vacuum assisted brake like the SMI or an M&G brake system you can only achieve about 30% brake effectiveness. Another thing, both of the systems I mention are out-of-sight and absolutely no hassle when hooking up. I am in the business of rigging toads and actually use the products I sell. We tow a 2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 2wd Crew Cab Diesel with our 94 Sovereign. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way, we will not even rig a vehicle to tow unless toad braking is part of the equation. We want no part of the litigation following the accident. It is well known in the industry that a diesel pusher motorhome equipped with air brakes, towing a Jeep Wrangler takes about 200 feet to stop from 60 MPH. Without toad braking, over 300 feet. The industry folks know it and all of the lawyers will find out when you rear-end somebody for towing a trailer without brakes. Yes, a toad is considered to be a trailer when it is being towed by your coach. I am not trying to scare you, only educate you and once you meet me, I am not a high-pressure salesman, I am a technician with a reputation.
Billy T

quote:

Originally posted by billyt53:
unless you have either a vacuum assisted brake like the SMI or an M&G brake system you can only achieve about 30% brake effectiveness.

The USGear tow brake also has an electric vacuum pump for the power brakes on the toad.

HERE is a Motor Home Magazine article on it.

Here's a consideration - my Barth is 28'; I considered a toad (BTW, many Barths don't list GCVW), but StaRV II is compact, and I use it for local runs. In a very few instances where another vehicle would be convenient, I rent.

I agree whole-heartedly with billyt53: If you're going with a toad, doing it right is the only option. Fergit the lawyers - you're sitting 3 feet from the front bumper...

I agree with Rusty, Mine is so driveable (new word?) that I have no need for toad although my Amigo would be a good candidate.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ray:
Mine is so driveable (new word?) that I have no need for a toad

Ours is driveable, but not very parkable (new word?). At 30 feet, it's just too long for most parking spaces. We carry bicycles, too, and sometimes a motorcycle just to be able to park.

Well, that's an issue, to be sure. With its very short wheelbase, StaRV II is quite maneuverable (the WB is only a couple of inches more than my LWB Ford 1-ton 20' diesel van); I guess that doesn't apply to all Barths...but then, when I got my driver's license, I had to park....