SOOO Confused

klutchdust wrote:

afrescop wrote:

Kennyg wrote:
Have yet to decide whether to go with the Brake Buddy "Patroit" system or the "Ready Brake" system! The local RV center swears by the patroit system and says the readybrake will create problemd with the toad brake sytem because of the constant braking and its response you do while on the road.
I drive a 2006 Liberty Jeep and one of the drawbacks I saw with Patroit was the need to plug into Jeeps 12v sytem via cigarette lighter and reset the Patroit everytime you turned key off on RV; I.E. stop for gas and before starting on down the road you would need to go thru start procedure on the Patroit. They also say the ready brake would eventually brekdown due to and salt clogging up the cable sysem. Plus, the RV center wants over $3200 to install the patroit system.
Need some input; Advise as to your experience with either or both of these two systems. Last, which would be the easiest to install on my own and if its the Patroit system how would I avoid the 12v draw on the jeep??
Thanks in advance for all your comments.

I could see $3,200 if it were to include the Blue Ox base plate, tow bar and Patriot with installation.

When we stop for gas or anything else, if I do not turn the ignition key "Off" then there is no need to reset the Patriot. Even if it is off the setup procedure takes all of two minutes.

I bought the Patriot because Winnebago warns against using a surge type toad brake in the owner's manual. Ready Brake is a surge system.

Exactly what is Winnebago's concern with a surge brake system

Winnebago's initial advise against using surge brakes is a throwback to the days of old. It was based upon incidences of hitch failure and motorhome damage. Many of the earlier trailer surge systems needed a significant amount of pressure against the hitch to overcome a spring built into the brake mechanism. The spring was supposed to keep the trailer brakes from engaging on light deceleration.

In some cases the springs were too strong or hadn't been maintained properly and didn't allow the trailer brakes to engage when needed. The full weight of the trailer (in some cases an overloaded trailer) against the hitch caused the hitch or the hitch mounting platform to fail and fold under the motorhome in a panic stop situation.

By now I believe almost all trailers equipped with that style surge system have either been sent to the junk yard or upgraded. Current systems use a metering valve in the master cylinder to remedy the situation.
Since at least 2012 Winnebago has been manufacturing their own hitches and mounting platforms. According the factory rep I spoke with they are at least double the strength of the hitches they had been purchasing.

I can attest to the fact that they can take a beating. In 2014 we were towing our Jeep behind our 2013 Winnebago Adventurer. We were traveling at approx. 65 mph (the speed limit) when the Jeep was rear ended by a kid (presumably texting while driving) in a pickup truck going at least 75 mph.

The Jeep sustained about $10,000.00 damage. The towbar and brackets were turned into pretzels, and the 10,000 lb. drop receiver was bent at a 45* angle. The good news was there was no damage to the motorhome or the newly designed and manufactured Winnebago trailer hitch.

Just to be sure there wasn't any hidden damage we took the motorhome to the Winnebago factory when we returned. The hitch was removed and inspected as well as the motorhome mounting platform and frame. The inspection confirmed no damage.