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TOAD brakes

Yahoo Message Number: 670
Hi all

We're going to finalize a deal on a new Vue to drag behind the coach and
I was wondering what the rest of you are using for supplemental braking
units.

Also, what are you doing to keep from throwing rocks all over it. I sure
hate to ruin the new car, but it's the one that's draggable.

Take care,
Greg

Re: TOAD brakes

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 671
Hi Greg, just got back north (in the toad not the Greyhawk). We got the Greyhawk so we could tow our new (year ago) Tahoe. During the 1400 mile trip home I have to say I was sure pleased with the ride and the features of the Tahoe (except the 19 mpg). Given all the time behind the wheel it results in "thinking time" and one of my thoughts was toads.

I got to thinking about how much weight toads are gaining and one of the worst (if not THE worst) culprit has been the AWD Vue. It seems like it wasn't that long ago that an AWD Vue weighed in at 3800 lbs or less. Now, it is a fat 4325 lbs - which is more than our former Colorado quad cab Z71 4WD toad weighed (but we then added a bed roller and cap on the box which took it to 4500 lbs).

We got a brake buddy for the Colorado and use it with the Tahoe (but had to turn up pressure to 70 from about 50). This is more important for the Greyhawk than our Ambassador since the 5700 lbs is far more significant to 19,500 lb GVWR vs the 33,000 GVWR of the Ambassador. We are happy with the Brake Buddy. Only PITA is puttting it in and taking it out. When we changed toads we did not bother having separate bulbs or diodes installed. Instead, we got a Blue Ox light bar that fits into the Tahoe receiver and the wires run under it to the front for connection to the motorhome. I would have used mag lights BUT putting them on top of the Tahoe was not legal as they would be too high.

Near the end of the trip home we saw a nice WHITE Lincoln Mk X. I suggested to DW that we swap her Equinox for a Mk X because it is towable. To my amazement she agreed. Opening my mouth at the wrong time could be costly. The Mk X is 4400 lbs and 6 inches longer than the Vue (but 16 inches shorter than the Tahoe). I also have to consider the new Equinox Sport as it has the same power train as the Vue and is also towable 4 down. What bothers me about that power train is the problems the guys with the Outlook, Acadia and Enclave have been experiencing the past year. I think GM has now finalized the process and you have to pull a fuse - as well as run the engine regularly and shift the transmission. This transmission was developed jointly by GM and Ford and the reported cost blows me away - $1.4 billion!!!!

I still haven't decided on which rear "dirt skirt" to get. Towed to Florida without one and no problems during that trip. If you get one do let us know the type and the difficulty if any installing it.

Don


============ ========= ========= ========= ===

Don Leslie
Brantford Ontario & Palmetto Florida (in the winter)
2007 Jayco Greyhawk 32SS (parked next to our Chariot Eagle 42 ft park model in Florida)
Toad - 2007 Tahoe LTZ
Blue Ox base plates, tow bar and rear light bar (fits in Tahoe receiver)
Brake Buddy

Prior hardware
06 HR Amb 40PLQ Cummins ISC 330/950 9/05-5/07
04 Winnie Jrny 39W CAT C7 330/860 7/04-9/05
00 Triple E Commander 34 ft F53 V10 5/03-5/04

Toad 04 Colorado Z71 quad cab 04 to 06 box cap and bedroller


On 22-Feb-08, at 10:00 AM, Greg Gimlick wrote:

 

Re: TOAD brakes

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 672
Hi Don

Quote
just got back north (in the toad not the Greyhawk).

Dang, for a guy spending the winter in FL you sure spend a lot of time
back home :-)

Quote
trip home I have to say I was sure pleased with the ride and the
features of the Tahoe (except the 19 mpg).

It's all relative, I ride around in a 2500 crewcab Chevy and get 12-13
on the highway when I'm not towing anything. I used to be able to
squeeze 14 out of it solo, but with 147000 miles now it's getting a bit
thirstier. Sure rides good though and has tons of room.

Quote
it wasn't that long ago that an AWD Vue weighed in at 3800 lbs or less.
Now, it is a fat 4325 lbs -

Feature/weight creep I suspect. I ended up buying a Vue XE 4cyl FWD
today and it weighs 3825 lbs. I sort of pushed for the 6 cyl, but since
my wife will be using it for her daily commutes and it will still get
worse mileage than her Lumina she wanted the four. It's her car so other
than dragging it behind the Greyhawk I didn't have a lot of say :-)

Quote
We got a brake buddy for the Colorado and use it with the Tahoe

That's what they'll install with this one. They've ordered all the tow
stuff and when I get back from the beach sometime in March we'll go in
with the motorhome and they'll set everything up. I liked that the
dealer insisted on bringing the motorhome in so their tow guy could fit
and adjust everything.

Quote
are happy with the Brake Buddy. Only PITA is putting it in and taking
it out.

That's something I've wondered about. The dealership actually said a lot
of folks are opting not to use the brakes, but I felt better about
having it and not debating with any states on whether aux brakes were
required or not. Safety is another issue. In spite of reading some
horror stories about malfunctions and burned up brake systems, it just
seemed prudent.

Quote
Near the end of the trip home we saw a nice WHITE Lincoln Mk X. I
suggested to DW that we swap her Equinox for a Mk X because it is
towable. To my amazement she agreed.

You need to be careful about what you say :-) That's a really nice
looking SUV.

Quote
I think GM has now finalized the process and you have to
pull a fuse

I need to do some more research on that. Over on RV.net there has been
discussion about whether it's necessary with the 2008 or not. Arguments
insist their right on both sides :-)

Quote
I still haven't decided on which rear "dirt skirt" to get. Towed to
Florida without one and no problems during that trip. If you get one do
let us know the type and the difficulty if any installing it.

I'm looking at what's out there and they range from terribly expensive
and ineffective to relatively reasonable with love notes about them :-)
One that seems to get a lot of praise and is $200 is the Protect-A-Tow.
Here's a link for them:
http://protectatow.tripod.com/

I'll get something and at least get a skirt for the back of the coach.

Take care,
Greg
2007 Greyhawk 32SS
2008 Vue XE Toad......tomorrow