Supplemental Brake Systems - update 8/7/06
Updates: 1/1/06: Roadmaster has stopped making BrakePro and replaced it with a revised system that it calls Even Brake. A DRAFT review of the Even Brake System has been added. Like the other rev...
Forum Discussion
pparker900,
I made an informal agreement with some of the manufacturers that I would not show a preference for a particular system. In exchange, I was able to communicate with engineers at many of the companines - some via e-mails, some via telephone.
As far as the Blue Ox braking systesm, the Apollo system is the first one in the reviews, which are listed in alphabetical order. Blue Ox makes quite a collection of supplementary brake systems – Apollo, AutoStop, ToadStop, ToadStop II, and BrakeSafe. The different systems were more than I could handle when trying to write reviews. For example, with the BrakeSafe system, Blue Ox advertises as an important feature that it does not tap into the toad’s brake system. Yet the BrakeSafe does tap into the coach’s brake system. And, more to the point here, ToadStop does tap into the toad’s brake system. It seems as if when any company came out with a brake system, Blue Ox came out with a similar model. The criteria I established writing a review included either access to someone knowledgeable at the company or direct access to a working unit. At the time, I could not get a meaningful dialog opened with Bleu Ox. I do have a friend who uses the Apollo system; thus, I was able to include it.
Here are some brief observations about the Blue Ox systems, other than Apollo, which has a full review in the first post.
AutoStop is very similar to ReadyBrake
ToadStop is a system that taps into the RV’s vacuum system and the toad’s vacuum system. The vacuum is used to power the toad’s power brakes and to pull on a cable attached t the toad’s brake pedal. I think they have an optional vacuum pump for diesels and those who don’t want to tap into the RV’s vacuum system.
ToadStop II is a self-contained system that puts a vacuum pump in the toad’s trunk. A cable from runs through a pulley on the toad’s firewall to pull on the toad’s brake pedal. The system is connected electrically with the RV. Like ToadStop, it reads the RV’s brake lights.
Both ToadStop and ToadStop II have a control unit in the RV that allows the system to be turned off, work ‘normally’, or be activated independently of the RV.
BrakeSafe Push (but it could be Pull) is the one that might be compared with the BrakeMaster and M&G systems. It taps into the RV’s air system or hydraulic system.
Tom
I made an informal agreement with some of the manufacturers that I would not show a preference for a particular system. In exchange, I was able to communicate with engineers at many of the companines - some via e-mails, some via telephone.
As far as the Blue Ox braking systesm, the Apollo system is the first one in the reviews, which are listed in alphabetical order. Blue Ox makes quite a collection of supplementary brake systems – Apollo, AutoStop, ToadStop, ToadStop II, and BrakeSafe. The different systems were more than I could handle when trying to write reviews. For example, with the BrakeSafe system, Blue Ox advertises as an important feature that it does not tap into the toad’s brake system. Yet the BrakeSafe does tap into the coach’s brake system. And, more to the point here, ToadStop does tap into the toad’s brake system. It seems as if when any company came out with a brake system, Blue Ox came out with a similar model. The criteria I established writing a review included either access to someone knowledgeable at the company or direct access to a working unit. At the time, I could not get a meaningful dialog opened with Bleu Ox. I do have a friend who uses the Apollo system; thus, I was able to include it.
Here are some brief observations about the Blue Ox systems, other than Apollo, which has a full review in the first post.
AutoStop is very similar to ReadyBrake
ToadStop is a system that taps into the RV’s vacuum system and the toad’s vacuum system. The vacuum is used to power the toad’s power brakes and to pull on a cable attached t the toad’s brake pedal. I think they have an optional vacuum pump for diesels and those who don’t want to tap into the RV’s vacuum system.
ToadStop II is a self-contained system that puts a vacuum pump in the toad’s trunk. A cable from runs through a pulley on the toad’s firewall to pull on the toad’s brake pedal. The system is connected electrically with the RV. Like ToadStop, it reads the RV’s brake lights.
Both ToadStop and ToadStop II have a control unit in the RV that allows the system to be turned off, work ‘normally’, or be activated independently of the RV.
BrakeSafe Push (but it could be Pull) is the one that might be compared with the BrakeMaster and M&G systems. It taps into the RV’s air system or hydraulic system.
Tom
