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Toad and the Retarder

November 28, 2010, 05:15:22 pm

I have been looking at supplemental braking systems for a toad.  I was reading that most brakes on couches were designed to stop the couch only, not the weight of the toad as well.  My question is: when you are using the retarder only to slow the couch without using the air brakes, with the weight of the toad added is this putting more stress on the retarder and hence the transmission or is this really a non issue?

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #1 – November 28, 2010, 05:23:25 pm

If you can envision energy as being BTU's, then you can understand that if it takes x amount of BTU's to stop/slow 30,000 lbs, then it would take x + x' amount of BTU's to stop 35,000 lbs.  This energy is transfered to the transmission and the cooling system to maintain a safe operating temperature.  I personally don't think it's an issue.  Just keep an eye on the trans temp. and select the proper gear and joy stick position on the retarder and you'll be just fine.

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #2 – November 28, 2010, 06:44:41 pm

It's not an issue, with or without the toad I can stop on dime.

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Reply #3 – November 29, 2010, 05:06:09 am

             The one of many  many  reasons of why I  bought A Foretravel in the first place is this very issue . I've put a bunch of miles on a tractor trailer . The one thing that got burned in my brain is  { you have got to be able to stop this mess }. Get up and go is great , buttttttttt! THis  is a very big big big thing . now ,I drove A Beaver one time , getting that thing stopped was not a good feeling .Monaco -Country Coach , even the mighty newell. I drove them all ,  the list goes on and on . Nothing stops like a foretravel  Period . Why  { disc brakes and retarder } Go test drive any other make coach of same size  and weight . It will jump up so that you will notice it quickly .EXhaust brakes , jake brakes ETC ETC are of course better than nothing , but no where close . So pulling a toad , of course toad brakes help and are smart .

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #4 – November 29, 2010, 11:13:21 am

We must ensure the total weight of the coach plus all contents and the toad plus all contents does not exceed the rated weight capacity of the coach.

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Reply #5 – November 29, 2010, 11:55:49 am

I am driving my 4th Foretravel with a retarder. The last 2 with a towed. I do not use auxiliary braking! I have and still do frequently stop my coach by gearing down and using the joystick, never putting my foot on the brake pedal after using it to disengage the cruise control. As far as I am aware, no damage or consequences have occurred in the transmission. ERGO: it is a non-issue as far as I am concerned.

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #6 – November 29, 2010, 12:23:25 pm

Horace B.

The U240 that you owned before, did you have a joy stick, and did you use your down shifting to slow your speed.
Thanks

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #7 – November 29, 2010, 12:35:01 pm

Rick and Mary!
 
Yes and yes! The older Allison that we had showed the gear being used not the highest gear selected, as I recall. I rally didn't drive the
'95 all that much but put "toxan" miles on the '94.

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Re: Toad and the Retarder

Reply #8 – November 30, 2010, 07:50:57 pm

Horace,

Most states REQUIRE auxiliary brakes on a towed vehicle.  You are very lucky to not have been stopped.

See the link for the specifics: www.happy-wanderers.com/rv-and-travel/112-auxiliary-brake-laws.

There is only one car that I know of that MIGHT get out of needing auxiliary braking and that is the low weight Lotus Caterham 7 weighing in at 1000 lbs.

 

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