Brake Buddy or Blue Ox Patriot Brake System

Bob & Ann wrote:
We use the Brake Buddy Vantage and it has worked well for us. We did not want a system that is installed in the car because there is a cost to do that. When you trade cars there is also a cost to remove it and reinstall in your new vehicle.

Yes, I considered that too when we were comparing the various systems.

Readybrake does have to be installed, and there is a cost to that. Fortunately with Readybrake, its a very simple, non-intrusive installation - simply a cable routed from brake pedal, through firewall and out to your front bumper. Thats it. Many folks do it themselves, or any good mechanic can do it pretty easily.

Keep in mind, also, that you're going to have to do a similar install on ANY system, including your Brake buddy, if you have a break-away of any kind. For almost any breakaway system, you're still going to have to run a wire from the brake buddy (or whatever) out to the front bumper.

Keep in mind when it comes to cost as well, that a Brake buddy or other 'box' type system costs $1000 or more. Readybrake cost almost ZERO when you get the Readbrute Elite package (tow bar and brake system for almost same price as just towbar from anyone else).

Given that savings of $1000 or more up front... You can pay a mechanic to install Readybrake in a lot of vehicles over the years, and STILL be significatly ahead $$ wise from what it would cost for a system like the Brakebuddy. If you're doing the installs yourself (which in many cases is possible), the savings is even more significant.

I have found Brake Buddy great to work with even when it is out of warranty. Mine is almost three years and we developed a problem. I called and they had me send it to them. They returned it totally gone trough and tested with no charge for parts, labor or anything including shipping. They had it back to me in exactly 7 days from the day that I sent it to them.

Yeah, I've read of folks getting good service like that on Brake Buddy. Thats great they do that, other companies should learn from that.

However, I'd still prefer having a unit I can repair myself in 5 minutes with parts I find at any hardware store. That sure beats having to ship old one out, and wait 7 days for manufacturer to send a new one. :)

Will