Toad Brake System (your opinion)

willald wrote:

cire wrote:
I have 9.5 years using the M&G system with a break away device. I've never had any problems what-so-ever. As mentioned above; the M&G is virtually invisible and requires only a hookup of an air line.

Yes, if you have a DP Motorhome with full air brakes, and $$ is no object, a system like M&G or Air Force One is 'bout as good as it gets.

For the rest of us, where $$ IS an object and/or you don't have a DP with air brakes, systems like the Readybrake are much, much more cost effective.

Other thing about the M&G system in particular that one has to keep in mind: Due to where, how it has to mount on the master brake cylinder, it is NOT compatible, usable on many vehicles, especially newer vehicles where things can be a bit 'crowded' under the hood.

Actually the M&G is one of the cheaper systems. All it consist of is an adaptor that goes behind the master cylinder and some air lines to connect to the coach. I believe they wanted $550. for the kit for a Ford Ranger I used to have. The Brake Buddy cost me double that amount.

cire wrote:
I have 9.5 years using the M&G system with a break away device. I've never had any problems what-so-ever. As mentioned above; the M&G is virtually invisible and requires only a hookup of an air line.

Yes, if you have a DP Motorhome with full air brakes, and $$ is no object, a system like M&G or Air Force One is 'bout as good as it gets.

For the rest of us, where $$ IS an object and/or you don't have a DP with air brakes, systems like the Readybrake are much, much more cost effective.

Other thing about the M&G system in particular that one has to keep in mind: Due to where, how it has to mount on the master brake cylinder, it is NOT compatible, usable on many vehicles, especially newer vehicles where things can be a bit 'crowded' under the hood.

I use an EvenBrake, I have 2 vehicles setup and both use the same monitor in the rig, it is convenient, and works for us.

I have 9.5 years using the M&G system with a break away device. I've never had any problems what-so-ever. As mentioned above; the M&G is virtually invisible and requires only a hookup of an air line.

Thanks fellas. Lots of room under the hood on that car, so it should be straight forward.
Thanks
Bill

Billinwoodland wrote:

Will and others,
I have a new to me 2008 monaco monarch (gasser) and just picked up a used 1999 Vitara 4x4 auto trans for my toad. I'm shopping for tow bar and braking system. The Vitara is light, ~3,000 lbs. the ready brake system appears to me to be the most economical approach. Can anyone comment on the difficulty level for installation? I turn a decent wrench as a weekend warrior mechanic for simple jobs like oil change, disc brakes, etc. just don't want to get in over my head. Thanks for any input.
Bill

All it takes to install the ReadyBrake cable setup is some basic tools and common sense, Bill. There's one hole to drill in the firewall, so you need to make sure the spot you're drilling is clear on the backside of course. I have done an installation where I carefully separated a steel brake line and a steel fuel line to clear the drill bit and later the cable, but that's pretty easy to do. The cable assembly does not need to be directly in line with the brake peddle arm though, so there is some positioning flexibility. Overall, if the average "shade tree mechanic" can't install the ReadyBrake setup, I think he should turn in his tree... :B

Oh, and I've found the best time to install the ReadyBrake cable assembly is while you have the front apart to install the base plate.

Billinwoodland wrote:

willald wrote:

cvbdsl wrote:
I was using the Ready Brake Elite, but when I traded the toad I wanted to be able to tow either of my vehicles and any future ones.

We've used our Readybrake on two different vehicles. All you have to do when you trade or get another vehicle, is order and install the Readybrake cable on the new vehicle. They'll sell you just the cable for a 2nd vehicle for just $60.

Once thats installed, you can tow either vehicle using the Readybrake without having to put anything in or take anything out every time.

The simplicity of being able to use Readybrake on multiple vehicles so easily without having to wrestle anything in or out of the car every time, was actually one of the reasons we really like the Readybrake.

Will and others,
I have a new to me 2008 monaco monarch (gasser) and just picked up a used 1999 Vitara 4x4 auto trans for my toad. I'm shopping for tow bar and braking system. The Vitara is light, ~3,000 lbs. the ready brake system appears to me to be the most economical approach. Can anyone comment on the difficulty level for installation? I turn a decent wrench as a weekend warrior mechanic for simple jobs like oil change, disc brakes, etc. just don't want to get in over my head. Thanks for any input.
Bill

Bill, it really depends on the vehicle. All you're really doing is installing a physical cable from the brake pedal arm, through the firewall and up to the front of the vehicle. Thats really it. On vehicles where its not too crowded under the hood and you have access to run the cable, its a very easy installation. Jeep Wranglers are one vehicle where this is a very easy installation, from what I've seen. OTOH, on vehicles like my Ford Fusion hybrid where it is extremely 'crowded' under the hood, its a bit more difficult. I had a professional do the installation, and it took him a full day to do it on the Fusion. OTOH, our previous vehicle, a Kia minivan, it was done in just a couple hours.

Look under the hood on your Suzuki, and around the front bumper. You'll probably be able to determine yourself, just how easy or difficult it may be. I'm going to guess with an older vehicle like you're talking about, it will probably be a pretty easy installation.

willald wrote:

cvbdsl wrote:
I was using the Ready Brake Elite, but when I traded the toad I wanted to be able to tow either of my vehicles and any future ones.

We've used our Readybrake on two different vehicles. All you have to do when you trade or get another vehicle, is order and install the Readybrake cable on the new vehicle. They'll sell you just the cable for a 2nd vehicle for just $60.

Once thats installed, you can tow either vehicle using the Readybrake without having to put anything in or take anything out every time.

The simplicity of being able to use Readybrake on multiple vehicles so easily without having to wrestle anything in or out of the car every time, was actually one of the reasons we really like the Readybrake.

Will and others,
I have a new to me 2008 monaco monarch (gasser) and just picked up a used 1999 Vitara 4x4 auto trans for my toad. I'm shopping for tow bar and braking system. The Vitara is light, ~3,000 lbs. the ready brake system appears to me to be the most economical approach. Can anyone comment on the difficulty level for installation? I turn a decent wrench as a weekend warrior mechanic for simple jobs like oil change, disc brakes, etc. just don't want to get in over my head. Thanks for any input.
Bill

cvbdsl wrote:
I was using the Ready Brake Elite, but when I traded the toad I wanted to be able to tow either of my vehicles and any future ones.

We've used our Readybrake on two different vehicles. All you have to do when you trade or get another vehicle, is order and install the Readybrake cable on the new vehicle. They'll sell you just the cable for a 2nd vehicle for just $60.

Once thats installed, you can tow either vehicle using the Readybrake without having to put anything in or take anything out every time.

The simplicity of being able to use Readybrake on multiple vehicles so easily without having to wrestle anything in or out of the car every time, was actually one of the reasons we really like the Readybrake.

We use US Gear's "complicated design" Unified Tow Brake, and if you read my RV.net review of it you will know why... Unified Tow Brake - Review