Do I Really Need A Brake Buddy

[Retired_VSP]

I tow a 2006 Honda Accord....been using a brake buddy but since it's not a heavy vehicle I don't want to use the brake buddy. Most of my travel is level with some slight hills. Used to do the 11,000 foot mountains but not now. Any thoughts on this. Thanks.

[tropical36]

ncrowley wrote:
Regardless of whether a supplemental braking system is required, you should have one. Like others, I had had situations where I had to brake hard and missed the vehicle in front of me by a few feet. Without a braking system on the toad, I probably would have hit the vehicle in front of me. Keep using your Brake Buddy!

Ya really think that makes better sense and for one to actually spend less time installing the thing, than the time spent in discussion on countless forum threads about laws, insurance coverage, litigation...etc...etc? Com'on now, what fun is there in that? I mean with your plan, it's over and done with pretty quick, with all the bases covered and then forgotten about.:S

[dubdub07]

doc brown wrote:
Having observed civil court proceedings I would spend the extra dollars to minimize my exposure to litigation. Minimize is the operative word.

Specifically proceedings involving auxiliary braking? I would love to read about them. It would help with a precedence for whether or not it is legal not to use one.

WW

[doc_brown]

Having observed civil court proceedings I would spend the extra dollars to minimize my exposure to litigation. Minimize is the operative word.

[John_Joey]

FWIW, a DP with air brakes vs a gasser with DOT3 fluid should be part of "full disclosure" when it comes to advice on if a person needs supplemental braking based on their experience.

Coming down a slight hill my plastic body Saturn SC2 would push my F53. I agree a low setting for emergency stopping was my best setting also.

[dubdub07]

So, I have read all the doom and gloom of not having a brake buddy. Seems pretty dismal if you only rely on your 30K pound motorhome to stop your 4k pound vehicle. I am sure 2 tons pushing 15 tons is going to stop the insurance companies from paying if you get into an accident or that the police are running brake buddy checkpoints at the borders of states to catch us rouge RVers.

Now the scientists on here also talk about physics and inertia. More doom and gloom.

I knew when I saw the OPs heading this was only going one direction. I wasn't disappointed! Thanks for being so predictable! Always a good read.

I use my brake buddy on the lowest setting and it RARELY comes on. On the normal setting, it is too aggressive and I am more worried about my Jeep's 35 inch, expensive tires being dragged down the highway.

I use it primarily for the breakaway.

WW

[ncrowley]

Regardless of whether a supplemental braking system is required, you should have one. Like others, I had had situations where I had to brake hard and missed the vehicle in front of me by a few feet. Without a braking system on the toad, I probably would have hit the vehicle in front of me. Keep using your Brake Buddy!

[enblethen]

I have the break-away on my SMI.
I was just saying that some systems do not have it. To be a little safer, you should have the break-away function.

[tropical36]

enblethen wrote:
Jim Norman:
That takes a little more then many brake systems have, a break-away brake system.

Have one of those, as well and it is a little extra, as an accessory to the READYBRUTE/ELITE package that I have installed.

[enblethen]

Jim Norman:
That takes a little more then many brake systems have, a break-away brake system.

[Jim_Norman]

Not having read all three pages word for word forgive me if this has been covered.

You may or may not be required to have supplemental brakes for your toad, BUT if your toad were ever to get loose and you didn't have a brake away system you would most likely be held responsible for any and all damages.

[CWSWine]

John&Joey wrote:
Way too many posts for me to wade through, so this is to the OP on his:

"Do I Really Need A Brake Buddy"

First year I was towing a pair of motorcycles passed me, then hit their brakes to make an (assumed) unexpected right turn. I hit my brakes so hard I almost pulled the steering wheel off the post. I started counting thinking if I got to 7 I was going to kill or injure them.

Luckily the brakes did there job. I used a Brake Buddy after that because I never wanted to live with the idea I hurt someone when I could have had something that would have made a difference.

X2 My feeling also and the goes for being over weight also....

[John_Joey]

Way too many posts for me to wade through, so this is to the OP on his:

"Do I Really Need A Brake Buddy"

First year I was towing a pair of motorcycles passed me, then hit their brakes to make an (assumed) unexpected right turn. I hit my brakes so hard I almost pulled the steering wheel off the post. I started counting thinking if I got to 7 I was going to kill or injure them.

Luckily the brakes did there job. I used a Brake Buddy after that because I never wanted to live with the idea I hurt someone when I could have had something that would have made a difference.

[Dutch_12078]

StuckinTracy wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Here is definition of a "trailer" in Washington.
RCW 46.04.620
Trailer.
"Trailer" includes every vehicle without motive power designed for being drawn by or used in conjunction with a motor vehicle constructed so that no appreciable part of its weight rests upon or is carried by such motor vehicle, but does not include a municipal transit vehicle, or any portion thereof. "Trailer" does not include a cargo extension.

Not trying to be a wise a$$, does that mean a 5th wheel isn't considered a trailer?

A well balanced 5th wheel has about 15-20% of its weight on the hitch. I don't know if that qualifies as "no appreciable part of its weight" though, compared to a bumper pull TT with only 10-15% of its weight on the hitch. 😉

[StuckinTracy]

enblethen wrote:
Here is definition of a "trailer" in Washington.
RCW 46.04.620
Trailer.
"Trailer" includes every vehicle without motive power designed for being drawn by or used in conjunction with a motor vehicle constructed so that no appreciable part of its weight rests upon or is carried by such motor vehicle, but does not include a municipal transit vehicle, or any portion thereof. "Trailer" does not include a cargo extension.

Not trying to be a wise a$$, does that mean a 5th wheel isn't considered a trailer?