Boblou
Florida
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Joined: 10/05/2005
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We were all set to go on a short vacation. I checked and double checked all i could think of and thought wow everything is ok.
I pulled out and then i stopped and checked the tow bar and everything looked ok. then as i turned off the access road up onto I75 northbound, it felt like the car was heavy behind me. Well we went about 50 plus miles and pulled into a rest area and my daughter said your hubcaps on the front are missing. I went looked everywhere including did i set the emergency brake on the toad. well, it seems that i had the break a way cable a little tight and it pulled loose and locked the brake buddy to the brakes. the mechanic checked my tires and lug nuts but when i apply the brakes i get a thumping noise.
the mechanic said i smoked the tires, but i think i wharped the rotor, what do you think. I will get it checked tomorrow (monday) and report back. ANY ADVICE OR ANYONE EVER DO THIS BEFORE.
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Edouard
Hudson, Quebec, Canada
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Joined: 09/14/2002
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Never happened to us, and I would not want to speculate on damage, pulling the car some 50 miles with the brake pedal being pressed on will certainly do some damage to the brakes/rotors/& tires.
We hope the outcome is not too costly, and look forward to your update when you report back. Good luck.
Eugene & Stella Theriault,
1999 Endeavour 34CG/V-10 F-53.(No Slides)
2010 Chevy Equinox. Blue Ox Aladin. Demco Base Plate
FMCA 318247
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Flyfisherman128
Broadalbin, NY
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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My brake buddy will not apply the brakes hard enough to skid the tires. My guess is rotors.
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newxmar
East Otis, MA
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Joined: 02/04/2004
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I just did this on our 2005 Honda CR-V. You don't mention the brand of car.
At a violent dip plus speed bump my SMI brakeaway cable activated. Guess that I had the cable too short for this sort of dip+speed bump.
I did notice that it was pulling hard, but did not stop for about a mile.
Wow!, the front brakes were really hot. Melted the plastic valve caps and small plastic hubcaps (cost about $70 for two). Immediately drove fast to cool things off.
I had just put new front brake pads on at 50,000 miles driving and 50,000 towing. After the cool down the brakes worked fine, but I am having my shop look at them. Bearings seem OK. Amazing that the front brakes could take this heat.
Well---after many years and miles of towing a toad you learn something by experience! If the "pull" seems odd stop and see if something is wrong. Now I always check the considerable slack in the cable to the disconnect at every hookup and stop.
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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It does not take a lot to warp rotors, just over tighten lug nuts. If the rotor got hot, it is probably warped. And if you smoked the tires, you probably warped the rotor.
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wallynm
Los Alamos NM
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Joined: 09/27/2000
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1. Do you have the tattle tale system that lets you know when the BB is set? If not get one!
2. Yes, my guess you may have warped the rotors.
3. Yes, I suggest you may have flat spots on the tires.
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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I did it to my rear brakes once. We were in PA and while hooking up the toad I had to set the park brake to keep the toad from rolling away while I hitched up. I never released the brakes and when I got to the next evening in VA. I found the brake handle up. That was 5 years ago and I still have the same brakes on the PT. Yesterday I drove home with the PT auto trans in R. After 222 miles I was shocked again when I got in the PT. I drove it last night and everything seemed good. I have lucked out twice now. Maybe you won't have real bad news either.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, & 2002 PT Cruiser w/Remco lube pump, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Qlake
Lake Quivira Kansas
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Joined: 08/15/2003
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I just did the same exact thing 2 months ago. If you have a thumping when you apply the brakes and you feel it in the steering wheel, you need new pads and rotors. I would also suggest replacing the brake fluid since I'm sure it got hot and boiled.
Our Jeep got so hot it melted the rubber out of the calipers and even the tie rod ends.
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donkim
Northcoast, Ohio
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Joined: 06/02/2001
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I worry about that happening to our toad also. I added a wire that comes off the switched side of the toad brake switch and feeds an LED on the motorhome dash. I can verify the toad's brakes are working normally when we are stopping, and it will alert me if the brakes are applied when they shouldn't be.
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novatz
Cross Hill, SC
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Joined: 04/07/2007
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I had a bad Apollo system (like the brake buddy), determined to be bad by the manufacturer who paid the $2500 damage to a new car.
Brakes locked on toad, I dragged it although not for 50 miles. Flagged by a passing motorist, stopped, slight "flame" from brake pad. Used extinguisher VERY sparingly to avoid warping the rotors. Dealer turned rotors, replaced tires that had flat spots, bled the fluid (excessve heat can destroy the brake fluid), new pads. Good to go. I doubt the rotors are bad but you can see how it all runs together.
'08 40' Monaco Diplomat Superslide
'08 Chevy Silverado with Rampage loader
'05 Gold Wing
'41 Spouse
'05 Cat
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