Is your toad both safe and legal?

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7217655199368949730.post-22524240964361155012008-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:002008-10-28T09:47:49.833-07:00Is your toad both safe and legal?Toad Stop is a state of the art braking system for vehicles being towed behind a motorhome. I need to preface this article by informing you most states have laws requiring a braking device on vehicles being towed by a motorhome. There are many great features incorporated into the Toad Stop system, but what I appreciate most is the major components are located under the hood and out of the way. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140094-784861.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140094-784857.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The system is always ready to go with consistent performance. Toad Stop meets and exceeds all state laws requiring towed braking systems. It has an emergency breakaway switch, passive braking micro-switch and a test activation switch.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1130109-710035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1130109-710029.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Conventional “dead pedal” systems are woefully inadequate because they are using a power brake system that is not operating. Ever try to stop a car with power brakes when it wasn’t running? It’s like trying to put on a pair of pants with the legs sewn shut. Toad Stop uses it’s own vacuum pump and the vehicles vacuum assist which means it has instant braking available even when the car engine is not operating. The primary system is activated when you apply the brakes in the motorhome. Toad Stop uses the current to the motorhome brake lights to activate the system. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140082-741913.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140082-741908.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A red light indicator comes on in the motorhome cockpit when the towed vehicle brakes are applied. An adjustable secondary micro switch hooks to the receiver hitch and activates the towed vehicle brakes when you are slowing down or using the motorhome exhaust brake. In essence it acts like an electric surge brake. With Toad Stop there is never any over-braking which leads to premature wear. Toad Stop continually measures and monitors what each vehicle is doing and gives you the perfect stopping combination every time. Another cool feature of this system is the ability to manually stop your towed vehicle when it is not attached using the trigger switch. If the person driving looses consciousness the passenger can safely stop the car by simply pulling the trigger. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140103-712129.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140103-712121.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Drivers with foot and leg disabilities use the Toad Stop trigger switch as their primary stopping mechanism. If you are mechanically inclined you can do the installation yourself. The directions and full color schematics are excellent and the company will provide technical installation assistance by phone if needed. Watch the video for a better idea about what is involved with the installation process. The procedure for hooking up the system is to find empty space in the engine compartment to fit an electric 12 volt motor, an actuator and an air reservoir tube. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140058-783006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140058-783000.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Connect the supplied vacuum hose to these components and hook up the electric.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140074-741860.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140074-741853.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Secure the breakaway switch near the front center line of the vehicle. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140098-784897.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140098-784893.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Run a couple electric wires through the firewall along with the actuator cable that runs through a pulley located on the floorboard behind the brake pedal. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140089-741900.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://rvtravel.com/blog/rvnow/uploaded_images/P1140089-741896.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hook up the receiver hitch micro switch and you're ready to roll. There is no other system like it on the market. You can read more about this system here: <a href="http://www.rvstuf.com/">Toad Stop</a> or phone them at (800) 478-7883 <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_rFqi6OWu70"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_rFqi6OWu70" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object> Keeping you safe AND legal - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing<div class="blogger-post-footer">Brought to you by <a href="http://www.rvtravel.com">RVtravel.com</a> & <a href="http://www.rvbookstore.com">RVbookstore.com</a><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7217655199368949730-2252424096436115501?l=rvnow.rvtravel.com'/></div>Jim Twamleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04342410970007385658noreply@blogger.com3