toad behind Truck camper and brakes question

Reddog1 wrote:

bigfootford wrote:
Many of us use the Ready Brake system. Install does require mechanical skill.
I love the simplicity of the system...

http://www.readybrake.com/store/c3/Supplemental_Braking_Systems.html


Here is a video. You might want to watch the first bit of footage then skip to 2 min

And again at 5 min.

Ready brake in action.

Cheaper from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/NSA-RV-Products-RB-4000-Receiver/dp/B00IK56OC0

I too run this system. I towed without the brake for over 12 years with no issues. I installed the Ready Brake and had better braking, especially in the mountains. My experience is with the same truck, TC, and towed.

As previously posted, a braking system on the towed is not required in all states. I think a breakaway is required in all states. In California, you must be able to stop in a specified distance at a certain speed. Other states may have different requirements.

This subject comes up often. It is important to check the requirements in your home state. Also be aware that in most states the towed brake requirement is different trailer brake requirements. I have discovered the charts posted by various web sites are incorrect for many states.

Me three on running the Readybrake. In fact, bigfootford, reddog and I live close to each other and have done a lot of testing and set up with our Readybrakes.

It's pretty easy to install and use, but not straight forward. There are a couple critical steps to consider left up to the specific tow and towed vehicles that make this job one that the installer needs to carefully and fully understand to make this work right.

For example, the cable leaves the towed vehicle parallel to the towbar and on-plane. Where the cable crosses the ball, we found we needed to install an eyelet. Otherwise, the cable gets too much slack on turns to be of any affect. By 'hinging' the cable through an eyelet at the pivot point of the ball, the cable length remains the same tension and the braking action stays (relatively) the same. I say relatively because the Readybrake is designed for optimal braking force when the towed vehicle is in line with the towing vehicle. At turns, the force is not linear any more. It's at an angle and so braking force is reduced.

Like I said, we did a LOT of testing, using 3 different trucks, three different tow vehicles and 3 different receiver hitch extensions, since we were running campers that overhang. Also three different tow bars, although that didn't seem to make enough difference in towing to matter.