Towing without brakes

[dbsoundman]

Are there really that many skoolie folks out there with toads (flat towed vehicles) that don’t have ANY supplemental or breakaway braking systems installed?

I swear every facebook post I’ve seen with a toad I ask what system they’re using, and the answer is “oh we don’t have one but we don’t really need it”. Dude, it’s a requirement! I get it, they’re expensive, but would you want to lose your vehicle because it just careens off into traffic without anything stopping it?

[Tejon7]

There are a few cars that are under the weight limit and don't need supplemental braking systems. Here's one popular model:


But seriously, I'm with you. Buying a $100 tow bar from Harbor Freight and super gluing it to the plastic bumper of your mom's minivan is not going to cut it! I'm hoping to go the "cheap" route with my tow system, and I'm budgeting several thousand dollars (hoping to find used gear and cut that down a bit though). But that's just me... I'd rather spend money I don't have than to kill somebody.

[dbsoundman]

Originally Posted by Tejon7

There are a few cars that are under the weight limit and don't need supplemental braking systems. Here's one popular model:
Attachment 64933

But seriously, I'm with you. Buying a $100 tow bar from Harbor Freight and super gluing it to the plastic bumper of your mom's minivan is not going to cut it! I'm hoping to go the "cheap" route with my tow system, and I'm budgeting several thousand dollars (hoping to find used gear and cut that down a bit though). But that's just me... I'd rather spend money I don't have than to kill somebody.

The two I've seen so far have two door Jeep Wranglers, that's not a light vehicle. I get it, I'm not excited about paying $2k for a supplemental brake system, having to install it, plus having the cost of the tow bar and all that, but still...these folks are going to get skoolies permanently banned from the roads.

[turf]

i'm under the weight limit except in idaho, for my cruising area.

no reason to go to idaho

next time i set up a toad, it will be bigger, with brakes.

[Drew Bru]

We got a tow bar with a surge brake (ReadyBrake Elite), it's an all-in-one package for like $1500. Didn't want to deal with some possibly flakey motion or momentum-based brake applicator system, I wanted a mechanical attachment. It was pretty simple to install and its easy enough to hook up when we travel.

[HamSkoolie]

Originally Posted by Drew Bru

We got a tow bar with a surge brake (ReadyBrake Elite), it's an all-in-one package for like $1500. Didn't want to deal with some possibly flakey motion or momentum-based brake applicator system, I wanted a mechanical attachment. It was pretty simple to install and its easy enough to hook up when we travel.

So how does the surge cause operation of the towed vehicles brakes?
Never mind, I looked it up. Looks promising.