Hi,My brake buddy has bit the dust. RV tec (brake buddy authorized) checked it out, and I need a new circuit board. BB will not sell the part, even to the rv center. I spoke to cs at bb, he said that the part is about $200, evaluation/repair will put cost well over $300. I will need to send my bb to them. CS said they generally recommend replacement of unit, particularly one that's over 7 yrs old.They will replace (keep) my bb in exchange for a new Vantage unit (mine is a Classic, '06) for $650. The Vantage on bb website is about $1400+ - plus will have a 3 yr warranty. OK, sounds good - we are fulltimers, satisfied with bb over the past 7 yrs - we are not looking for a different braking system (tow 2500 lb Fit). Is there something in this deal we're not seeing? Seems to be very good. Anyone do this? Satisfied?UPDATE 9/9 postthanks, Happy Labor Day

$750 sounds like a pretty decent discount off of a new unit. If they will do that for anyone, I have an old Brake Buddy system that I will give for free to anyone that wants to buy a new unit. You pay the shipping or pick it up and it's yours.

Mine stopped working send it in for repair. They repaired it & upgrade the unit for $399.00. I heard that from another person so I tried it and it worked. IT would have cost over $700.00 to repair or $399 to grade & get a 3 year warranty

My BB died last fall, it was seven years old. I spoke with BB and they indicated the 50% discount if I wanted to trade up to Even Brake. Sent in my old unit, paid the discounted price (I'm not sure exactly what it was)and a new Even Brake arrived a few days later. The Even Brake isn't a direct plug in replacement for the old BB, but they provided enough technical support over the phone to get the system up and running.

Yes I dud several years ago. Great deal.

Ours made the trip to BB 7 times in 6 years. 3 years ago when it failed again, 2 months after in house service, I asked if there were any trade in deals for new or refurbed units, BB told me told NO. We were at a FMCA show a week or so later Blue-Ox offered $400 off for any "brake in a box" in trade for a new Patriot Braking System. Needless to say I have a Patriot now. I do not miss BB's leaky air compressor based system at all.

Anyone take adv of Brake Buddy old for new discount?

16 Replies

klm
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
Op. The breakaway is different. They sent the entire assembly with the unit. In addition to the differences noted,you can change sensitivity and braking mode right from the remote sensor. Another difference is the not having to depress test button 5 times, happens automatically and when unplugging the unit dumps the air. These things in my old classic were on the owner to do.
bshpilot
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
haddy1 wrote:

The cable from the break away switch to the BB may be different. They sent me the entire assembly, no charge.

the only real difference is the connection (at the brake buddy) - the brake away switches are common trailer parts - the switch/circuit is "open" when in place, and closed when the brake away pin/switch is pulled.

the connectors changed from a 2 pin mail plug to a 2 wire single female plug, it would be easy to adapt an old break away connector to the new digital classic or vantage models.

mccsix wrote:
Out of curiosity what are the major differences between the classic and vantage?

operationally theyre the same - construction wise theyre different (metal box vs abs/plastic), the adjustment/pressures setting mechanism changed too but again their pretty much the same.

the new VANTAGE SELECT (red abs box) added a (user selectable) option for full or progressive (proportional) braking.

the Classic (tan metal box), Digital Classic (tan abs box) & Vantage (red abs box) models offer "FULL" braking only.
mccsix
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
Out of curiosity what are the major differences between the classic and vantage?
haddy1
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2014
klm wrote:
OP back. My new Brake Buddy Vantage arrived, they sent it as soon as I provided the tracking # for my bb classic that I sent back to them. The cost for the new unit was $650, just as they quoted. I am glad to get the 3 yr warranty with the new unit. It has some new features, compared to my old bb. Overall, I am very pleased with the entire process; cost, quick shipping, and new/better technology. I was a bit worried, you know "if it sounds too good to be true....." - but everything was handled as quoted - no unpleasant surprises.

The cable from the break away switch to the BB may be different. They sent me the entire assembly, no charge.
klm
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
OP back. My new Brake Buddy Vantage arrived, they sent it as soon as I provided the tracking # for my bb classic that I sent back to them. The cost for the new unit was $650, just as they quoted. I am glad to get the 3 yr warranty with the new unit. It has some new features, compared to my old bb. Overall, I am very pleased with the entire process; cost, quick shipping, and new/better technology. I was a bit worried, you know "if it sounds too good to be true....." - but everything was handled as quoted - no unpleasant surprises.
rockylarson
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
The Vantage Select is a major improvment over the Classic. If you want to stay with BB you will not be disappointed with the Select. When I traded my dead classic in about 4 years ago they offered a 2 year extended warrenty (5 years total) as part of the Vantage Select package. I see it is about $100 now. When the compressor burned up they repaired it and replaced the power cord on which I had done a DIY repair. Ask for the extended warrenty.....
bshpilot
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
A few weeks ago I picked up a unit on craigslist (claimed to have been used less than 3 times & from the looks of the bag, mat and all the components, i believe it).

I paid 400 for the unit...complete !
haddy1
Explorer II
Aug 31, 2014
Good deal. I like the proportional braking on the new unit as well as the ability to control from the MH.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 31, 2014
We've been extremely happy with our 10-year-old Brake Buddy and zero repairs. OP it sounds like a good deal!
deandec
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
I have begun opening the box on the BB and repairing the thing myself.

Most events are disconnected connections or screws that have backed out.

The Radio Shack solution to the cord plug has presented itself also.

Also do not forget the fuse that is in the cord plug can be replaced.

In 12 years, ours has been returned for service twice. After the second time, I opened it to finish the repair because BB did not!