What is the best Tow/Brake set up for a Towed Vehicle?

supercub wrote:
Isn't the Readybrake baiscally a surge brake? One thing I've always been concerned about in a surge brake is burning up the brakes on a long down hill grade. Seems like the tow brakes would be activiated continiously.
Brian

..This is one of those 'urban myth' type things, that was true many years ago with surge brake systems, but is not true with modern surge brake systems.

I do know for a fact (as I have personally witnessed, tested with mine), that the Readybrake system is designed to prevent brake dragging from ever happening. I have watched our brake light indicator on the MH dash when descending long downhill grades. Only time Readybrake engages the brake, is when I hit the MH brakes. And, thats with a 4500 lb minivan for a toad. :)

Will

Isn't the Readybrake baiscally a surge brake? One thing I've always been concerned about in a surge brake is burning up the brakes on a long down hill grade. Seems like the tow brakes would be activiated continiously.
Brian

desobelman wrote:
While I agree that the ReadyBrake Elite System is pretty bullet proof, it is a surge braking system, not fully proportional.

The InvisiBrake System, also by Roadmaster, is fully proportional....

While I agree that the Readybrake system is not truly proportional, I'd also like to point out that despite what sales and marketing ads for various systems would have you believe....Very few toad braking systems are truly proportional, in the true sense of the word (and Invisibrake is not one of them).

For someone buying both a tow bar and braking system initially, and can get both in an integrated setup like ReadyBrake for around $1000, whereas a Blue Ox setup and separate braking system like Invisibrake would cost more like $2000 (plus more installation labor involved)....Is having a system that is more proportional (but not truly proportional) AND introduces more electronics (read: more potential ways to fail) really worth over $1000 more? IMO, no, but to each their own.

Will

We tow a 4,600 lbs Hummer which has an "active braking" system and can't use an under the hood system. We use a Roadmaster 9000 which is a shock absorber looking thing that fits between the brake pedal and a bracket under the seat. It connects to an air fitting that is fed by the coach's air brakes. It is reasonably easy to install and remove, as it can't be left in place when the car is driven. It works well.

Several friends have, or had, one of the "box" systems that fit between the seat and the brake pedal. Most of them have had problems, either with the car brakes being worn out or car batteries run down, or the system not working when it should. Two other friends have the M&B system that fits under the hood permanently and they haven't had any problems. (I couldn't use that M&B system.)

RedQuad,

While I agree that the ReadyBrake Elite System is pretty bullet proof, it is a surge braking system, not fully proportional.

The InvisiBrake System, also by Roadmaster, is fully proportional and once installed there is nothing to do but hook up the car to the tow bar and go! I had it added to my new towed vehicle and love it! I use the Blue Ox tow bar because I already owned it from previous RV/Towed. I like the Blue Ox because of the "hidden" connector system. When the tow bar is unhooked from the car, you hardly notice any connections on the front of the car.

I also prefer the proportional braking system as it applies the brakes in the same proportion as the MH brakes instead of only when enough surge is transferred to the braking system. I do not mean to infer that the ReadyBrake is inferior, the InvisiBrake is just my preference.

Happy Trails! :W

Darryl

We have been very pleased with our Blue Ox Aventa tow bar and base plate and the SMI Stay in Play braking system. All professionally installed by a Blue Ox dealer.

I highly, highly recommend the Readybrake.

You just can't beat it - Tow bar and brake system all integrated in one package, for about the same price as you'd pay for a tow bar alone from Blue Ox or others (saves over $1000 right there, from what you'd pay having to buy a separate braking system).

And, you get what is arguably about as good as it gets for a braking system - no electronics to fail and burn up your brakes, nothing to drain toad battery. Nothing to have to put in or take out every time. Very simple, straightforward one time installation (nothing but a cable going from brake pedal to front of toad).

If you don't have a tow bar yet and are buying all that now, IMO it really is a no-brainer - get the ReadyBrute Elite tow bar I linked to above, that comes with the Readybrake system. No point in spending $1000 more just for something more complicated, that has more potential to fail and do damage.