Auxiliary brake system

We used a Brake Buddy for 15 years. Had to have the unit rebuilt one time. We used a tattle tale light to indicate when the brake buddy was activated. Never used anything else so no comparison gave be given!

Find and use whatever braking system you like. Just don't go without one!

Used the Brake Buddy Classic for years. Had one rebuilt. Excellent customer service. I towed cars, not trucks. When I sold my last one, a gentleman with a 1/2 ton truck bought it.

I did not want to have to find someplace to store that unit when not in use, as it either needed to be stuck into the storage of the motorhome or into the vehicle somewhere.I opted to use the Stay and Play system mounted under the hood of the car. No muss, no fuss.

No specific experience with that one, but I am generally not a fan of 'brake in a box' systems, that have to be installed, set up, attached to brake pdeal, etc. and then all taken out each time you tow. Too many ways for things to go wrong, and too much temptation for short trips to just not put it in. I much prefer a system that you install once, and its there ready to go any time you tow.

Also not a fan of electronic auxiliary brake systems. Just one more thing to go wrong, and in the case of auxiliary brake systems, if it drag or locks up the brakes, tons of damage can be done to your towed vehicle before you'd even know something was wrong.

For those reasons, I much, much prefer the simple Readybrake system, and won't use anything else. Have been using it for 9 years on 4 different towed vehicles, and it has always worked great.

I have a Blue Ox Patriot, works fine.

Mr. Pinky wrote:
What are the pros and cons of a Brake Buddy Vantage system for a Dutch Star towing a 2013 Ford F150?
Does anyone have experience with one?

Is this a "Box in the driver's seat" system? If so the following pro/con fits all such systems

Pro: if you have multiple towed vehicles you only need one system and can use it in all of them Likewise if you frequently change towed vehicles.

Con: They advertise "NO INSTALLATION NEEDED"
But the truth is you need to install it every time you tow
(NO Professional Install. it's a DIY job) that means that, as the professionals proved when installing my Installed system,, You have a chance to SCREW IT UP (They did, royally, cost me a very expensive brake job Pads, rotors the works) .... I fixed it)

And I've postulated (And had it confirmed no less) that for a short trip. say taking the RV in for service and driving the towed home while the rig sits in the shop.. there is a temptation to say "oh it's too much trouble" (Then a possibility of wishing you'd installed it after the front of your very expensive motor home gets all messed up)
(OUCH$$$!)

This is why I like an installed system like the Ready Brake or the US Gear Decelerator (NOTE the last one has features no other system has)

We've been using the same one for 21 years. Towed Jeeps, a Colorado and for the last 10 years a Silverado. It's been back to the factory twice ($200+-) with about a week turn-a -round.

Ed C wrote:
We've been using the same one for 21 years. Towed Jeeps, a Colorado and for the last 10 years a Silverado. It's been back to the factory twice ($200+-) with about a week turn-a -round.

Ed We have (I think) Classic or similar, I have blocked between the driver seat and the unit but still it gets loose.
I really cannot tell if the thing releases or not by looking at the device that sits on the dash in front of me.
I have about given up on even using it.
If not too much effort on your part, please tell me steps you go through to make sure the BB is installed and working correctly (ie releasing when it is supposed to) Thanks in advance

We used a tattle tale system that would create a red light every time the BB was activated and stayed on as long as it was activated.put it right in the middle of the dash in front of the steering wheel. Could not miss it. Tested each time we started.

Horsedoc wrote:

Ed C wrote:
We've been using the same one for 21 years. Towed Jeeps, a Colorado and for the last 10 years a Silverado. It's been back to the factory twice ($200+-) with about a week turn-a -round.

Ed We have (I think) Classic or similar, I have blocked between the driver seat and the unit but still it gets loose.
I really cannot tell if the thing releases or not by looking at the device that sits on the dash in front of me.
I have about given up on even using it.
If not too much effort on your part, please tell me steps you go through to make sure the BB is installed and working correctly (ie releasing when it is supposed to) Thanks in advance