Toad supplemental braking question

Bumpyroad wrote:
my brake buddy worked fine without a vacuum assist.
IMHO that and "proportional" are just selling point fluff.
bumpy

Agree 100% about how they use such things as selling point fluff.

I've used my ReadyBrake on two different vehicles - a Kia minivan and a Ford Fusion hybrid. The Fusion we use now has vacuum assist for the brakes on all the time, even when ignition is off, so I have power brakes on with it when towing. With the van, there is/was not vacuum assist when towing, obviously.

In both cases (with or without vacuum assist), the ReadyBrake works fine. Without vacuum assist, it just means that RB actuator has to put more force/pull on the cable to engage the brakes. It is designed to handle such, though, and does. In either case, I found that Readybrake brakes the vehicle just fine. And, note in my case that the vehicle without vacuum assist is a 4500 lb minivan behind a 36' gasser MH.

Look at it this way: Is having vacuum assist for your brake system worth paying over $1000 more for? Thats the difference you'll pay (or more) for an electronic system that has vacuum assist vs Readybrake that does not.

When you look at it that way, its very clear and easy to see why an RV dealer is going to try to convince you that a brake system won't work right without vacuum assist. :)

my brake buddy worked fine without a vacuum assist.
IMHO that and "proportional" are just selling point fluff.
bumpy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.