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Topic: Thinking Seriously About a TOAD (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Thinking Seriously About a TOAD
Yahoo Message Number: 56557
Although I've not been seriously inconvenienced by not towing I've decided that it is nice to be able to set up camp and have transport to get groceries and to tour. So...I would like to do the following:
 Buy a used toad for under $10,000 and under 3,000 lbs. My 2004 26.5 MB weighs 12,200 lbs and a 3000 lb toad would leave me safely under the 20,000 combined limit. I want to tow four-down and manual transmission is acceptable.

I want to keep the cost as low as possible but I understand that I would need a tow plate, rig-mounted tow bar and insurance on the toad.
Can I avoid an auxilliary brake system with this set-up? I would like to do so to avoid the cost of the system and the problems that result from improper use. Would an insurer require aux braking?

Can you suggest a make and model of toad that would meet my requirements?

Thanks, Paul NE 50
Re: Thinking Seriously About a TOAD
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56569
tow bar and insurance on the toad.
 
Quote
Can I avoid an auxilliary brake system with this set-up? I would like to do so to avoid the cost of the system and the problems that result from improper use. Would an insurer require aux braking?

Paul, the decision to use, or not use, an aux. brake system is one
of the most hotly debated items on the RV.NET "Toad" discussion Board.
Right up there with guns in RV's. Check it out.  When all is said and done, the concensus seems to be that to not have an aux. brake is a very high risk venture from a personal liability point of view.
I use the Brake Buddy system because it transfers easily should you decide to get a new toad and it's saleable if you decide to get out of the toad business.
My 2 cents.

Ed
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Thinking Seriously About a TOAD
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56571
The merits of towed brakes can be debated until the cows come home, but the facts are that most states and Canada require brakes on towed vehicles at some level of weight.  If you only travel in a state without towed vehicle brake requirements (few and far between), and are willing to live with the liability exposure, then I suppose you can get away with it.  Just don't drive behind me please.

Dick

Paul, the decision to use, or not use, an aux. brake system is one of the most hotly debated items on the RV.NET "Toad" discussion Board. Right up there with guns in RV's. Check it out.  When all is said and done, the concensus seems to be that to not have an aux. brake is a very high risk venture from a personal liability point of view. I use the Brake Buddy system because it transfers easily should you decide to get a new toad and it's saleable if you decide to get out of the toad business.
My 2 cents.
Ed
Re: Thinking Seriously About a TOAD
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56591
"Paul Wood"  wrote: "....Can I avoid an auxilliary brake system with this set-up? I would liketo do so to avoid the cost of the system and the problems that result from improper use. Would an insurer require aux braking?" ---- Paul, this web page -- http://rversonline.org/RV4Safety.html  -- contains several links to articles by Bob Gummersall on toad selection, brake systems, hitch set-ups, and other "toad stuff".  Bob's information is based on a great deal of research and long experience, and will provide plenty of reasons for NOT towing without a toad braking system!
 (BTW, some of his earlier articles -- toward the bottom of the page – are written under the name "Frank" Gummersall; different name, same guy!)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Thinking Seriously About a TOAD
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56594
Ed, Dick and Joan,

Thanks for the common sense advice. I didn't even consider the liability issue in my thoughts.

Thanks again, Paul NE 50