BRAKING SYSTEMS FOR TOAD - RV-Dreams Community Forum

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

BRAKING SYSTEMS FOR TOAD

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We started with a similar surge braking system and did not like it that much. It mostly worked and we had an indicator light that told us when the toad brakes were on, but it did not feel like it put the brakes on hard enough. We moved to a Brake Buddy like device and felt it worked much better, but the particular model (now discontinued) was not that well put together. Now we have a real Brake Buddy, the newest model, and it feels like a much better device than the knockoff. I think the Brake Buddy (and the knockoff) did a better job since they put the toad brakes fully on while the surge brake did not always do so since it was purely mechanical.
But we are looking to replace our toad next year and expect to put in something more permanent, like the new Invisibrake from Roadmaster or an Air Force One.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

PPL HAS A BRAKE BUDDY SYSTEM ON SALE NOW TIL 10/21 - ABOUT $350 OFF. MOST FOLKS I'VE TALKED TO SAY THE BRAKE BUDDY DOES WHAT IT SHOULD DO. WE JUST BOUGHT (TODAY) A 2012 HONDA FIT WHICH CAN BE TOWED ON ALL 4'S - IT SHOULD BE DELIVERED IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We bought our Brake Buddy from PPL, the full Vantage version with the breakaway and wireless. Cost us under $1100 shipped and it took me about half hour to install the breakaway.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBCK BILL - I WATCHED THE VIDEO AND IT SEEMED PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. I ASKED BRAKE BUDDY IF THEIR SYSTEMS WOULD FUNCTION ON THE HONDA TOAD AND THE REPLY I GOT WAS:

"either the Classic or the Vantage Select will work."

I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THEY CHOSE THESE 2 AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CLASSIC ONE IS.

RESEARCH-RESEARCH-RESEARCH!!!

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Congrats on buying the Honda Fit, RVP... I'm sure you'll like it as much as we do ours!

As for the braking systems you might want to also check out Adventure RV for comparison. I've bought a lot of items from them over the years and have gotten great pricing and service.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

I WILL CHECK THEM OUT - THANKS.

BILL - I GOT THIS REPLY FRO PPL REGARDING THE BRAKE BUDDY

"The Brake Buddy will work on a regular Fit , but will not work on the ( Hybrid Version ) due to the way the braking system ."

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

RON - I CHECKED OUT ADVENTURE RV AND SOME GREAT PRICES AND THEY SELL BLUE OX WHICH MAKES ME HAPPY - GOOD TIP!!!!!

The Crumps · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a brake buddy, but it doesn't seem to work all the time. We're wondering how many of you have been pulled over to check and see if you have the braking system? Several people in various campgrounds say they don't bother to hook theirs up anymore because they've never been inspected for it.

I was raised that you follow the rules, don't break the law, etc. So, I've always followed what was dictated as the way to go. But, with the hassle of taking if off and on, not sure it's really working, etc., I'm thinking we won't bother with it anymore. Our RV is rated at 25,000, and our tow vehicle weighs 3,000. It tows very nicely and we haven't had any problems. I would like to know if you've been checked by the "officials" to make sure it's working.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Crumps wrote:
We have a brake buddy, but it doesn't seem to work all the time. We're wondering how many of you have been pulled over to check and see if you have the braking system? Several people in various campgrounds say they don't bother to hook theirs up anymore because they've never been inspected for it.

We currently use a Brake Buddy too but for years never used any kind of braking system and didn't have a problem - never got inspected either. We decided though to start using a braking system on the toad when someone brought up the legal ramifications. If you're in an accident, even if it's not your fault, and are found to not have a required braking system a sharp lawyer (apologies, Howard!) could probably twist it around to somehow being your fault. That would especially be true if some fool pulls directly out in front of you... something that's probably happened to all of us at one time or another! Better to be legal and covered, I think.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with Ron,why chance it.

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

I' ve been investigating brake systems as well and came accross the unified tow brake from US Gear. Is anyone using this system? There is no assembly or disassembly to use your toad. From what I read once it's installed it's practically invisible.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

My view is you can never have enough brakes, but you can have too little. When I need to stop in an emergency I want all I can get. My state of Washington does have the 3,000lb rule and we are next to British Columbia (BC), who has enforced their rule since they have had too many accidents where people did not have supplemental braking. BC has a lot of mountains and grades.

Trabuco: The Unified Tow Brake is something multiple people I know have and they are happy with it. But most are going for the Air Force One from SMI now, maybe just because it is newer. I am going to look strongly at these two and Roadmaster's new Invisibrake when we get a new car.

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill - I had not seen the SMI system before. Of all the systems I've checked out the SMI looks the best to me. Thanks for the lead!

elbertand mary · RV-Dreams Community Member

If U have a Brake Buddy make sure that it is NOT plugged in next to your GPS power. There is an interference problem, they must be separated. It will cause your Remote to not light up, even though our Brake Buddy is working fine. I got this from Brake Buddy Tech Services, Good Luck Mac

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our wireless Brake Buddy Vantage Plus reciever lights up fine plugged in next to our Garmin Nuvi 1490T GPS. I guess it depends on the GPS model. We just had a problem at the toad end that it alerted us about. Edit: This is a ridiculous restriction for many motorhomes since they often have exactly one 12volt on the dash, though we have two. I know people running four devices off their dash 12volt since they have no other choice. (4 devices is a GPS, a braking alert, a tire monitor and a cell phone or iPod/iPad charger).

-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 28th of October 2011 06:21:19 PM

Gary Marcondes · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have been full time for over 4 years and have a 5th wheel. We are now changing to a Gas Engine Coach and will be towing a Jeep. I'm interested in installing a SMI Manufacturing ( Stay in Play Duo ) braking system after much investigation of many systems. I like the fact that it stays in the car and can be turned on and off as needed without additional work. If you can believe the write-up, it uses vacuum and air systems to deliver brake force equal to the situational need.

If anyone has experience with this system, I would appreciate insight.

Calamus · RV-Dreams Community Member

We use a system developed by CV-ON, which is mechanical. Very efficient.
You can check it at CV-ON.com, a Canadian Co.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not to all:

This is a very old thread. In fact, the original poster hasn't been on their forums in a very long time.

Keep in mind that Howard prefers that we NOT revive old postings. Because it is so old, I will now close it.

Terry