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
Here a few facts that may help you make your decision:
STOPPING DISTANCE
With the Ready Brute, and all surge brakes, the stopping distance for the MH with toad will be greater than the MH without a toad. NSA verifies that with two statements.
The first is:
“In our Ready Brake we have an oil filled shock absorber and a 250 lbs spring. The weight of the towed vehicle has to over come both of these before it will activate.
When traveling down a steep grade the motorhome and the towed vehicle are traveling at the same speed so the Ready Brake will not active. Or if you put your jake brake on in the motorhome it does not allow enough pressure to be put on the Ready Brake to active it.”
At best the braking action of the Ready Brute is reduced by the force necessary to overcome the 250 lb. spring and shock absorber. If that force is enough to keep an exhaust brake on a 6% grade from activating, it is a significant force indeed and reduces the braking action of the Ready Brake by that amount.
The second statement is:
“Always allow for more stopping distance when towing.”
Blue OX says that their surge brake reduces the stopping distance “up to 30%.”
CABLE
The only cable in the AF1 system is the breakaway controller cable. It is connected to the AF1 unit under the toad hood, not the brake pedal. A small cylinder is connected to the toad pedal. It is out of sight and doesn’t modify the pedal action in any way. If you really must be able to connect and disconnect that controller in normal operation, you most likely don’t want to get this system.
If you use the Ready Brake system and want a breakaway system, a second cable through a second hole in the firewall with the cable attached to the brake pedal is required. That could complicate your desired connect/disconnect operation.
I hope you are happy with whatever you select.
Wil
STOPPING DISTANCE
With the Ready Brute, and all surge brakes, the stopping distance for the MH with toad will be greater than the MH without a toad. NSA verifies that with two statements.
The first is:
“In our Ready Brake we have an oil filled shock absorber and a 250 lbs spring. The weight of the towed vehicle has to over come both of these before it will activate.
When traveling down a steep grade the motorhome and the towed vehicle are traveling at the same speed so the Ready Brake will not active. Or if you put your jake brake on in the motorhome it does not allow enough pressure to be put on the Ready Brake to active it.”
At best the braking action of the Ready Brute is reduced by the force necessary to overcome the 250 lb. spring and shock absorber. If that force is enough to keep an exhaust brake on a 6% grade from activating, it is a significant force indeed and reduces the braking action of the Ready Brake by that amount.
The second statement is:
“Always allow for more stopping distance when towing.”
Blue OX says that their surge brake reduces the stopping distance “up to 30%.”
CABLE
The only cable in the AF1 system is the breakaway controller cable. It is connected to the AF1 unit under the toad hood, not the brake pedal. A small cylinder is connected to the toad pedal. It is out of sight and doesn’t modify the pedal action in any way. If you really must be able to connect and disconnect that controller in normal operation, you most likely don’t want to get this system.
If you use the Ready Brake system and want a breakaway system, a second cable through a second hole in the firewall with the cable attached to the brake pedal is required. That could complicate your desired connect/disconnect operation.
I hope you are happy with whatever you select.
Wil
