Forum Discussion

Denver9's avatar
Denver9
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015

Brake assistance for towed vehicle.

I recently towed a 1991 Jeep Cherokee behind my Class C motor home on an extended road trip. The Cherokee was flat towed with no extra braking assistance.
On a couple of instances I felt the Cherokee actually pushing the motor home when I attempted to make a stop. Not a good feeling and I doubt it is a safe/legal set-up.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, safe, supplementary brake system for the towed vehicle?
-Denver
  • If I had do-overs I would NOT have bought the Brake Buddy. I found it to be a real pain putting it in and out. Especially if you are traveling a lot miles and stopping at a lot of places as I do as a full timer. It might be ok for a direct destination one stop camping trip.

    I have a small toad and had to just about get on my hands and knees on the ground to shove that thing in, reach under to hook it to the brake pedal, adjust the seat against it, push test push test button etc etc. And then when you use the toad you have to put that clunky thing somewhere inside the toad.

    The whole time watching my camping neighbor just hook up his toad and pushed a button and was ready to go.

    I would suggest getting one of the above mentions automatic in line type brake assist. You won't regret it.
  • Roadpilot wrote:
    I've used the same Brake Buddy for 3 different motorhomes and 5 different toads.
    It's inexpensive, it's portable from vehicle to vehicle, it's easy to put in and it works.

    x2. If it is a toad you know you will keep for a long time, go with one of the built in systems if not try a Brake Buddy Classic, check cragslist you may find a used one. Dick
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    We've always wanted a choice between my wife's little Toyota and my mini-pickup, so Brake Buddy works well since it's portable between vehicles.

    I don't mind installing and setting it up (setup is pushing a couple buttons and waiting for it to do an automated routine) at departure, and I don't mind removing it at destination. I DO mind finding the toad needs to be quickly dropped and re-connected mid-trip. For that reason I might consider something else in the future, but I have no complaints about the functioning of Brake Buddy.
  • Hi Denver, We had our Chevy Equinox set up with the ready brake elite system. It`s a hydraulic braking system and works very well. I think our cost to set it up was around $1700 and that was the complete set up , base plates and all. We pulled our car with a Jayco Granit Ridge class C. We no longer use the tow bar because we traded our class C for a 5th wheel. Any way you go I suggest you get a braking system. Happy Camping!!!
  • I've used the same Brake Buddy for 3 different motorhomes and 5 different toads.
    It's inexpensive, it's portable from vehicle to vehicle, it's easy to put in and it works.
  • You will like SMI's StayInPlay syatem, costs a bit more but is worth it.