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
Ok guys,
There's no need to get at each other here. I asked for opinions and info on a particular setup. It could have been any brand or combination.
Yes, I have experience with the "Ready Brake" system, not the Ready Brute which is the tow-bar-brake combination. My system, is the kind that stays on the coach, not the trailer ball type. It's worn out. Yes, it can be rebuilt. I called "Tom" and all he wanted me to do was send it to him and he'd "Rebuild" it. Well, sending that 30 lb. unit in the mail would not be cheap.
So, I decided to dissect it myself. Talk about simple. It's nothing but a short spring and, a small piston, about the size of a quarter. That piston's got about 4 O-rings on it and, it sits in a bath of oil of a precise amount. The piston's got a tiny hole in it. It's basically a tiny "shock".
Now, I know all about the high cost of the Airforce 1. That's not the only high cost auxiliary braking system. Heck, the "Even Brake", the "Brake Buddy" and other "Robot" type braking systems are also in the $1,100 dollar range. And yes, the approximate cost of a new, Ready Brute tow bar, equipped with the Ready Brake system, can be had for approximately $1,000.
Now, using advance mathematics, the price difference hovers around $100. That's not all that much difference.
The Ready Brute or, even just the Ready Brake, as has been stated, is a "surge brake" and, being such, CAN cause undue ware. Does it in fact? Well, who's to tell. Based on how worn my unit is, it's applying the toad brakes considerably more than it should. Hence, the reason I'm thinking about another type of braking system.
I'm not a fan of those "robot" types that are the huge box that sits in front of the brake pedal. Never have been. I chose and used the Ready Brake, years ago due to its simplicity and, cheapness. Well, it's worked for quite a few years. But, at this point, I'm just not sure I still want that kind of system.
You see, I, along with most diesel drivers out there, use the "exhaust brake" quite a bit. And, that secondary braking system on the coach, does provide for the ability of the toad, to "surge" and that means, application of the toads brakes. Well, is that a bad thing, not necessarily. Is it needed that many times in all braking conditions, again, not necessarily. That exhaust brake is quite efficient. Efficient enough to provide good braking for both the coach and the toad, based on certain conditions.
And, as far as the "install" of the Airforce 1, that's simple. Tying into the coaches air brake system is not that hard or, complicated. I won't go into the details now but suffice to say, with my back ground, I'd probably have it done in less than a day.
I certainly appreciate all the good info on the Airforce 1 system. I continually evaluate my options. While I'm not all to keen on spending approximately $1,800 on a new tow bar and, braking system, I'm also not sure I want to, either get my present Ready Brake system rebuilt and, get the Aladdin Tow Bar rebuilt too (I've got the new shim kit already, or purchase another "surge brake" system (Ready Brute Elite). I do like the fact that the Airforce 1, only applies brakes when the service brakes on the coach are applied.
So, I'll keep evaluating this situation. Thanks again for all who've commented and, expressed their thoughts and experiences. It's certainly appreciated.
Scott
There's no need to get at each other here. I asked for opinions and info on a particular setup. It could have been any brand or combination.
Yes, I have experience with the "Ready Brake" system, not the Ready Brute which is the tow-bar-brake combination. My system, is the kind that stays on the coach, not the trailer ball type. It's worn out. Yes, it can be rebuilt. I called "Tom" and all he wanted me to do was send it to him and he'd "Rebuild" it. Well, sending that 30 lb. unit in the mail would not be cheap.
So, I decided to dissect it myself. Talk about simple. It's nothing but a short spring and, a small piston, about the size of a quarter. That piston's got about 4 O-rings on it and, it sits in a bath of oil of a precise amount. The piston's got a tiny hole in it. It's basically a tiny "shock".
Now, I know all about the high cost of the Airforce 1. That's not the only high cost auxiliary braking system. Heck, the "Even Brake", the "Brake Buddy" and other "Robot" type braking systems are also in the $1,100 dollar range. And yes, the approximate cost of a new, Ready Brute tow bar, equipped with the Ready Brake system, can be had for approximately $1,000.
Now, using advance mathematics, the price difference hovers around $100. That's not all that much difference.
The Ready Brute or, even just the Ready Brake, as has been stated, is a "surge brake" and, being such, CAN cause undue ware. Does it in fact? Well, who's to tell. Based on how worn my unit is, it's applying the toad brakes considerably more than it should. Hence, the reason I'm thinking about another type of braking system.
I'm not a fan of those "robot" types that are the huge box that sits in front of the brake pedal. Never have been. I chose and used the Ready Brake, years ago due to its simplicity and, cheapness. Well, it's worked for quite a few years. But, at this point, I'm just not sure I still want that kind of system.
You see, I, along with most diesel drivers out there, use the "exhaust brake" quite a bit. And, that secondary braking system on the coach, does provide for the ability of the toad, to "surge" and that means, application of the toads brakes. Well, is that a bad thing, not necessarily. Is it needed that many times in all braking conditions, again, not necessarily. That exhaust brake is quite efficient. Efficient enough to provide good braking for both the coach and the toad, based on certain conditions.
And, as far as the "install" of the Airforce 1, that's simple. Tying into the coaches air brake system is not that hard or, complicated. I won't go into the details now but suffice to say, with my back ground, I'd probably have it done in less than a day.
I certainly appreciate all the good info on the Airforce 1 system. I continually evaluate my options. While I'm not all to keen on spending approximately $1,800 on a new tow bar and, braking system, I'm also not sure I want to, either get my present Ready Brake system rebuilt and, get the Aladdin Tow Bar rebuilt too (I've got the new shim kit already, or purchase another "surge brake" system (Ready Brute Elite). I do like the fact that the Airforce 1, only applies brakes when the service brakes on the coach are applied.
So, I'll keep evaluating this situation. Thanks again for all who've commented and, expressed their thoughts and experiences. It's certainly appreciated.
Scott
