I was talking today with a local RV repair shop about getting my toad set up for towing, when we started talking about supplemental brake systems. I asked about the ReadyBrake and/or Blue Ox's AutoStop, both of which he knew nothing about. When I explained the simplicity of how how they work, he started asking "how do they work without some sort of vacuum assist". (He sells the Stay-n-Play system). Since I'm no mechanic, I had no answer, so I now turn to all of you knowledgable folks. I know there are many ReadyBrake users here, so what's this talk about the need for vacuum?To clarify, I'll be pulling a Ford Fiesta, which requires the negative battery cable to be removed. Towing with a 30' class Ford gas MH.Thanks!

ReadyBrake is a mechanical system. No electronics or vacuum system is needed.It's a pretty simple system.It sounds like the repair shop is trying to sell you their product.You may want to find another RV shop.

ReadyBrake works just fine on our 2003 Honda CRV with no vacuum assist. NightShift Auto (where I bought my ReadyBrake) does sell a vacuum assist pump but, when I spoke to them, they advised me that it would not be needed. Try this....park your toad on a hill. Put it in neutral. Release the emergency brake.. Turn OFF the engine. As your toad starts rolling down the hill, step on the brake pedal. Yes, you'll have to press harder than normal, but your brakes will work. That is what it is like using a ReadyBrake. I like ReadyBrake because it is a self-adjusting proportional braking system. Other than 8' of aircraft grade steel cable, there is nothing to fail. Just do a forum search on ReadyBrake failures.. didn't find any ? Neither did i back in 2006. Now do a search on braking system failures in general and you'll find lots of horror stories.

There's an easy test to see if the NSA vacuum boost pump is worth installing on your toad. Run a predetermined route where various braking situations will be needed with the normal ReadyBrake hookup. Then run the same course with same setup, EXCEPT, this time start the toad's engine and leave it idling while you run the course. If you notice a significant improvement in the braking action, then the add-on pump will be a useful addition. No significant change? Then it's not needed.

Since my Fiesta requires the negative battery cable must be disconnected for towing does that mean my only option for a brake system is mechanical, like ReadyBrake? There will be no power to the 12 volt accessory plug.

ezgoin wrote:Since my Fiesta requires the negative battery cable must be disconnected for towing does that mean my only option for a brake system is mechanical, like ReadyBrake? There will be no power to the 12 volt accessory plug.You can hook up a line directly to the battery and run it inside the vehicle. Make sure you put a fuse or circuit breaker on it near the battery in case there is a short.

Toad supplemental braking question | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

427435
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
tahiti16 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
427435 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.

on a proportional system, wouldn't a lighter vehicle give a lesser "push" causing a lesser braking effort than with a heavier toad?
bumpy

That's exactly my thinking. If correct, I don't think the ReadyBrake would be a good choice for such a light vehicle.

Since it is a much lighter vehicle it also requires less braking effort! Remember our dingy/dolly/trailer brakes are auxiliary or supplemental brakes meant to assist the towing vehicles brakes. :B

Exactly.
tahiti16
Explorer
Apr 10, 2014
ezgoin wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
427435 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.

on a proportional system, wouldn't a lighter vehicle give a lesser "push" causing a lesser braking effort than with a heavier toad?
bumpy

That's exactly my thinking. If correct, I don't think the ReadyBrake would be a good choice for such a light vehicle.

Since it is a much lighter vehicle it also requires less braking effort! Remember our dingy/dolly/trailer brakes are auxiliary or supplemental brakes meant to assist the towing vehicles brakes. :B
EsoxLucius
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
ezgoin wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
427435 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.

on a proportional system, wouldn't a lighter vehicle give a lesser "push" causing a lesser braking effort than with a heavier toad?
bumpy

That's exactly my thinking. If correct, I don't think the ReadyBrake would be a good choice for such a light vehicle.
The Blue Ox AutoStop surge braking system for the Blue Ox Aladdin or Alpha tow bar has an adjustment to accommodate vehicles of varying weights, from 1,500 lbs. to 7,500 lbs.
ezgoin
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
427435 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.

on a proportional system, wouldn't a lighter vehicle give a lesser "push" causing a lesser braking effort than with a heavier toad?
bumpy

That's exactly my thinking. If correct, I don't think the ReadyBrake would be a good choice for such a light vehicle.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
427435 wrote:
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.

on a proportional system, wouldn't a lighter vehicle give a lesser "push" causing a lesser braking effort than with a heavier toad?
bumpy
427435
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
ezgoin wrote:
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?

I doubt it. ReadyBrake will work with a light or heavy vehicle as it is a proportional system-----------the more braking needed, the more applied.
ezgoin
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014
My Fiesta weighs only 2,600 lbs. My concern with the ReadyBrake is will only be effective in hard braking situations? Is my Fiesta too light for the ReadyBrake under normal driving conditions?
venturemfg
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014
With ignition off people finds the same issue with many automobiles. Even with hydraulic brakes and vacuum assistance brakes the vehicle slows down and it works fine with atleast 4-5 braking.

For me the reason is the inconsistent actuators that are not implemented well with the brakes.
willald
Explorer II
Apr 03, 2014
UsualSuspect wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
my brake buddy worked fine without a vacuum assist.
IMHO that and "proportional" are just selling point fluff.
bumpy

X2. I use a Roadmaster EvenBrake, diesels do not have vacuum brakes, so vacuum assist will not work on them.

Your towed vehicle is a diesel?

Wow, just looked at your profile, indeed it is. Thats a pretty heavy towed vehicle. :)

Will
UsualSuspect
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
my brake buddy worked fine without a vacuum assist.
IMHO that and "proportional" are just selling point fluff.
bumpy

X2. I use a Roadmaster EvenBrake, diesels do not have vacuum brakes, so vacuum assist will not work on them.