Hi all. We decided to trade in our fifth wheel and truck and have bought a 40' class A. Just purchased a Chevy Sonic as a toad.
We are told we need to purchase a tow bar, base plate and wiring to tow it from the back of the motor home. They are recommending the Blue Ox Alpha tow bar. We are also told that a tow breaking system is optional but will be needed next year for the Alaska trip as it's required by law there They recommend the Patriot Tow Bar Breaking system.
Does the breaking system make a difference? Seems to me that if the motor home is stopping the toad will stop as well.
As always ... Thanks for your expertise
Marilyn & Gene
bjoyce said
09:38 PM Jun 28, 2014
Yes, the auxiliary braking system makes a difference. A couple times over the years our braking system(s) have failed and we had to travel without them. We could feel the difference in braking, even with a 40' diesel pusher and a Honda CRV. A motorhome does not stop in as short a distance as a car, you want all the help you can get in a panic stop. We also have a friend whose car plowed under his motorhome in a panic stop. A braking system also comes with a breakaway, which stops the car if it becomes detached. This does happen, sometimes by forgetting to lock the towbar properly, sometimes from failures or an accident. You want the car to stop when detached, not keep moving and potentially kill someone or get totaled. A friend broke his towbar on a very uneven railroad track and was happy he had a breakaway.
Now, I am not a fan of Blue Ox braking systems. We had problems with two of their products, neither of which is now made. These were the Autostop, a surge brake that installed in the towbar tongue and the Apollo, a predecessor to the Patriot. I am sure the Patriot is better than the Apollo, I just do not know how much better. But, if the installer is happy, you shoudl be happy.
I do like the Blue Ox towbars, we had the Alladin, which is the aluminum version of the Alpha. We used it for ten years and only changed to Roadmaster brand with a new car since Roadmaster itself was a 2 hour drive from the installer. Blue Ox is in Pender NE, about 80 miles north of Omaha. Roadmaster is in Vancouver WA, a suburb of Portland OR.
Trabuco said
10:10 PM Jun 28, 2014
I agree with Bill on the braking system, in fact many state laws require it. We have Roadmaster as well with the Roadmaster Invisbrake system and have had no problems to date. Don't have an opinion on Blue Ox as we haven't used it but plenty of people do use the Blue Ox system.
The Junkman said
11:03 PM Jun 28, 2014
Hmm.. I pulled a honda civic behind a 35' gas class a.. Didn't even know it was there pulling or stopping. Traveled through mountains too.. traveled like 3000 miles.. Not one issue.
I'm sure there is a difference.. But there was nothing unsafe about it.
You need braking on a 2500 lb car.. but not a 3500 lb trailer ? Figures.. Typical lawmakers..
I don't recall the bar system.. but man it unhooked quick and easy.. folded in toward the rv.. or you could leave it on the car..
Hi all. We decided to trade in our fifth wheel and truck and have bought a 40' class A. Just purchased a Chevy Sonic as a toad.
We are told we need to purchase a tow bar, base plate and wiring to tow it from the back of the motor home. They are recommending the Blue Ox Alpha tow bar. We are also told that a tow breaking system is optional but will be needed next year for the Alaska trip as it's required by law there They recommend the Patriot Tow Bar Breaking system.
Does the breaking system make a difference? Seems to me that if the motor home is stopping the toad will stop as well.
As always ... Thanks for your expertise
Marilyn & Gene
Now, I am not a fan of Blue Ox braking systems. We had problems with two of their products, neither of which is now made. These were the Autostop, a surge brake that installed in the towbar tongue and the Apollo, a predecessor to the Patriot. I am sure the Patriot is better than the Apollo, I just do not know how much better. But, if the installer is happy, you shoudl be happy.
I do like the Blue Ox towbars, we had the Alladin, which is the aluminum version of the Alpha. We used it for ten years and only changed to Roadmaster brand with a new car since Roadmaster itself was a 2 hour drive from the installer. Blue Ox is in Pender NE, about 80 miles north of Omaha. Roadmaster is in Vancouver WA, a suburb of Portland OR.
I'm sure there is a difference.. But there was nothing unsafe about it.
You need braking on a 2500 lb car.. but not a 3500 lb trailer ? Figures.. Typical lawmakers..
I don't recall the bar system.. but man it unhooked quick and easy.. folded in toward the rv.. or you could leave it on the car..