Brake assistance for towed vehicle.

[Denver9]

I recently towed a 1991 Jeep Cherokee behind my Class C motor home on an extended road trip. The Cherokee was flat towed with no extra braking assistance.
On a couple of instances I felt the Cherokee actually pushing the motor home when I attempted to make a stop. Not a good feeling and I doubt it is a safe/legal set-up.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced, safe, supplementary brake system for the towed vehicle?
-Denver

[SuGar_Shack]

We have had Brake Buddy and it worked OK. More recently with a Class A big rig, we had an Air Force One system and it was terrific, also expensive. We are now installing a Stay-And-Play Duo, and eager to see how it does. Smaller, lighter RV, lighter toad. I have known people who don't use any braking system but think that's a little risky and also will wear brakes on RV faster. Ask users for their experience and do your research. And, good luck stopping earlier and more slowly. Also saves fuel....

[Denver9]

Thanks all,
I ordered the Ready Brake set up on line. Should receive it Wed, Dec 2.
-Thanks for all your input..
-Denver

[Bea_PA]

We presently have a Patroit, before that a Brake Buddy. 3 motorhomes and 3 different toads in 15 years, it was easy to use between cars.

[ronfisherman]

Been using Ready Brute Elite for 4 years with no problems. Have not had a problem on rough roads.

[bamcote]

We haven't noticed any braking problems with the Ready Brute (lot of bumpy roads in PA, NY, Mass). It's fairly easy to hook up, no box in the toad, and it's small enough that we can put it in the back of the SUV for security reasons if we are doing a lot of running around in the toad and don't want it left connected to the motor home.

[derh20]

You might want to look at Roadmaster's invisibrake. there is no box to put in the car--basically, connect your toad and go. the only downside i can think of is that it is a more permanent installation. if you change toads, you will need to get it reinstalled on your next toad and that is expensive.

[Denver9]

Barncote,
Did you like the Ready Brake system? I have used surge brakes on a rental trailer and they were a problem on rough roads (Dips, etc). resulting in jerky stops.
-Denver

[bamcote]

We have also used a Ready Brake, going on 8 years now.

[Gonzo42]

I like my brake buddy a lot. Sure it takes a few minutes to deploy are de-deploy. When we park, and drive the toad my brake buddy goes on the floor in front of the driver's seat in the RV. My chains and cable go in a tool bag (cheap from HF).

Brake buddy requires no splicing into brake lines or vacuum lines. For me that is a great feature.

[lanerd]

We use the U.S. Gear Unified Brake System that once installed requires no additional hook up of any kind between mh/toad. We've had it on two different motor homes and three toads.

Ron

[rockhillmanor]

If I had do-overs I would NOT have bought the Brake Buddy. I found it to be a real pain putting it in and out. Especially if you are traveling a lot miles and stopping at a lot of places as I do as a full timer. It might be ok for a direct destination one stop camping trip.

I have a small toad and had to just about get on my hands and knees on the ground to shove that thing in, reach under to hook it to the brake pedal, adjust the seat against it, push test push test button etc etc. And then when you use the toad you have to put that clunky thing somewhere inside the toad.

The whole time watching my camping neighbor just hook up his toad and pushed a button and was ready to go.

I would suggest getting one of the above mentions automatic in line type brake assist. You won't regret it.

[dicknellen]

Roadpilot wrote:
I've used the same Brake Buddy for 3 different motorhomes and 5 different toads.
It's inexpensive, it's portable from vehicle to vehicle, it's easy to put in and it works.

x2. If it is a toad you know you will keep for a long time, go with one of the built in systems if not try a Brake Buddy Classic, check cragslist you may find a used one. Dick

[j-d]

We've always wanted a choice between my wife's little Toyota and my mini-pickup, so Brake Buddy works well since it's portable between vehicles.

I don't mind installing and setting it up (setup is pushing a couple buttons and waiting for it to do an automated routine) at departure, and I don't mind removing it at destination. I DO mind finding the toad needs to be quickly dropped and re-connected mid-trip. For that reason I might consider something else in the future, but I have no complaints about the functioning of Brake Buddy.

[dennyida]

Hi Denver, We had our Chevy Equinox set up with the ready brake elite system. It`s a hydraulic braking system and works very well. I think our cost to set it up was around $1700 and that was the complete set up , base plates and all. We pulled our car with a Jayco Granit Ridge class C. We no longer use the tow bar because we traded our class C for a 5th wheel. Any way you go I suggest you get a braking system. Happy Camping!!!