Changing from trailer to toad, not easy

[Texas Clodhopper]

I was blessed that this happened, pulling into a truck stop parking space, going less than 5mph. The baseplates tore from the frame. I'm not sure where you got the idea that no brakes are needed unless over 5000 pounds.

 

[Underboss]

I have an XL - 20K tow capacity with air brakes. I use a blue ox towbar my second yes with breakaway cables required by law and light bar. I just don’t run an automatic breaking system in my little Jeep. There’s quite a few of us that do the same with the smaller tow vehicles and larger Rigs. The breaking system is secondary, the law only requires brake Assist 4500 min in most states. I understand if you’re a worry wart you’re right don’t get behind me and please obey the speed laws. Many of you guys pass me doing 75 in your class A, . Let’s talk about speed first.

Actually lets talk about your toad breaking away and hitting a family of four head on. Killing all four because you wanted to save $1k. Your "little jeep" will become a death machine. I would not fear being behind you, I would fear heading towards you. Once you are legal and ethical, we can discuss speed.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Actually lets talk about your toad breaking away and hitting a family of four head on. Killing all four because you wanted to save $1k. Your "little jeep" will become a death machine. I would not fear being behind you, I would fear heading towards you. Once you are legal and ethical, we can discuss speed.

Were I selling auxiliary braking systems for towed vehicles that would make a great sales pitch. "Family of four and rescue puppy on their way home from church slaughtered when death machine breaks away from unethical cheapskate's RV".

 

[Wemustrv]

You will be pleased once completed. It is OK to vent here. Many of us have been there.

 

[Jim]

You will be pleased once completed. It is OK to vent here. Many of us have been there.

It’s never fun getting roped into a job you barely have time for, especially when the instructions look like they were written by someone who’s never seen the product. My first install took me nearly an entire day. Now I could crank it out in a fraction of the time. But one thing’s for sure, you’re definitely not going to miss dealing with that trailer. Not even a little.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

The install is done and had a couple short trips.
Flat tow is looking promising, but still anxious about the decision and wondering how much we will miss the trailer. With the trailer we never had any road rash on the trailered SUV.
Even though we have the road master “tow defender” installed, next year long trips will really tell us how much damage we will see on the road and allow us to settle into the change.

 

[Jim]

The install is done and had a couple short trips.
Flat tow is looking promising, but still anxious about the decision and wondering how much we will miss the trailer. With the trailer we never had any road rash on the trailered SUV.
Even though we have the road master “tow defender” installed, next year long trips will really tell us how much damage we will see on the road and allow us to settle into the change.

I don't know (maybe you said but I missed it) if this was an enclosed trailer or one of those car dollies that you put the front tired on. But now that you are flat towing, one of the interesting things that happens, to me anyway, is the smell of burning rubber that seems to accompany your toad the first time you drive it after a long haul. I thought something was seriously wrong and searched everywhere for the problem. Finally mentioned it to a friend who said that was normal after towing for awhile.

Just thought I'd mention it.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I don't know (maybe you said but I missed it) if this was an enclosed trailer or one of those car dollies that you put the front tired on. But now that you are flat towing, one of the interesting things that happens, to me anyway, is the smell of burning rubber that seems to accompany your toad the first time you drive it after a long haul. I thought something was seriously wrong and searched everywhere for the problem. Finally mentioned it to a friend who said that was normal after towing for awhile.

Just thought I'd mention it.

Thank you
Is that burning smell inside the toad?
I did find it interesting that the toad manual specifically mentioned putting the ventilation system into recirculate mode to reduce any smells from the motorhome.

 

[Jim]

Thank you
Is that burning smell inside the toad?
I did find it interesting that the toad manual specifically mentioned putting the ventilation system into recirculate mode to reduce any smells from the motorhome.

I think it’s residue from the highway. Ends up on the engine so when the engine gets hot, the residue burns off. Best I can figure. But it was concerning the first time.