AirForce 1 brake system vs Ready Brake
Gents, First off, I've used the Ready Brake system for quite a few years now and for the most part, have been pretty happy with it. That included many years using it with a gas coach. Well, we chang...
Forum Discussion
...Some important key pieces 'wca01' left out, in his marketing propaganda post about SMI Air Force 1:
The Air Force 1 also will cost you obscenely more $$ than the Readybrake. Since you're purchasing a new towbar as well, and can get the Readybrute Elite tow bar that comes with Readybrake, the cost difference is even more substantial - well over $1000. And thats without even mentioning the huge cost of installing the AF1, that you will not have to worry about with the Readybrake since you already have the RB cable installed on your toad.
Yes, air brakes working directly off of your MH's air brake system is nice, but is it worth paying over $1000 (probably closer to $2000 including installation) more for?
The Air Force 1 system is an 'electronic box' type controller system. Meaning, it is controlled by electronics. This introduces the risk that said electronics can fail, over-brake your toad, and do major damage to the brakes. It does happen, read around on here you'll see where it has. OTOH, due to its design, this is something that is just about impossible to ever happen with the Readybrake, once its installed and set up properly.
When the Air Force 1 system quits in the middle of nowhere and you need to repair it....Wellll, good luck with that. OTOH, 99% of the things that can break or wear out on the Readybrake, can be repaired by almost anyone with parts you can find at any hardware store for less than $20. Also, those mechanical parts on the Readybrake, you can inspect for wear and catch problems and fix them before it becomes a problem. Kinda tough (impossible) to do that with electronic stuff in the Air Force 1.
Also, one day several years from now when you trade toad vehicles....Removing the Readybrake cable and installing it on the new toad will be fairly simple. If you don't want to remove it from old toad, no problem, just buy a new cable from Readybrake for $60 and install it on the new toad. When that day comes and you're using AF1, be ready to shell out a LOT more $$ to remove AF1 from your old toad and install it in the new toad.
Anyway, this is obviously your decision, but if it were me, I'd go with a ReadyBrute Elite tow bar and Readybrake system. I would also call NSA, speak to Todd about your situation. I'll bet since you own a Readybrake now that is worn, he may well give you a very good deal on a new Readybrute tow bar, or offer to send you a new or rebuilt RB unit you can use with another tow bar. That could make the price difference between the two even MORE substantial, to the point IMO it'd become a no-brainer decision (even though IMO it already is that).
The Air Force 1 also will cost you obscenely more $$ than the Readybrake. Since you're purchasing a new towbar as well, and can get the Readybrute Elite tow bar that comes with Readybrake, the cost difference is even more substantial - well over $1000. And thats without even mentioning the huge cost of installing the AF1, that you will not have to worry about with the Readybrake since you already have the RB cable installed on your toad.
Yes, air brakes working directly off of your MH's air brake system is nice, but is it worth paying over $1000 (probably closer to $2000 including installation) more for?
The Air Force 1 system is an 'electronic box' type controller system. Meaning, it is controlled by electronics. This introduces the risk that said electronics can fail, over-brake your toad, and do major damage to the brakes. It does happen, read around on here you'll see where it has. OTOH, due to its design, this is something that is just about impossible to ever happen with the Readybrake, once its installed and set up properly.
When the Air Force 1 system quits in the middle of nowhere and you need to repair it....Wellll, good luck with that. OTOH, 99% of the things that can break or wear out on the Readybrake, can be repaired by almost anyone with parts you can find at any hardware store for less than $20. Also, those mechanical parts on the Readybrake, you can inspect for wear and catch problems and fix them before it becomes a problem. Kinda tough (impossible) to do that with electronic stuff in the Air Force 1.
Also, one day several years from now when you trade toad vehicles....Removing the Readybrake cable and installing it on the new toad will be fairly simple. If you don't want to remove it from old toad, no problem, just buy a new cable from Readybrake for $60 and install it on the new toad. When that day comes and you're using AF1, be ready to shell out a LOT more $$ to remove AF1 from your old toad and install it in the new toad.
Anyway, this is obviously your decision, but if it were me, I'd go with a ReadyBrute Elite tow bar and Readybrake system. I would also call NSA, speak to Todd about your situation. I'll bet since you own a Readybrake now that is worn, he may well give you a very good deal on a new Readybrute tow bar, or offer to send you a new or rebuilt RB unit you can use with another tow bar. That could make the price difference between the two even MORE substantial, to the point IMO it'd become a no-brainer decision (even though IMO it already is that).
