Supplemental Brake for Toad Recomendation

[Dow12]

I have a 2017 Chevy Equinox that is getting the Blue Ox base plate and Avail tow bar installed today. I was planning on getting the SMI Stay-In-Play brake system installed at the same time. The installer called today and informed me that there is not enough room under the hood to do the install. Looks like I have to go with a portable brake system. Does anyone have any good recommendations on a portable brake system that is really easy to set up and reliable? I really don't have a clue on what to look for. I appreciate any help to help me understand the pros & cons as I begin my search.

[vjstangelo]

My vote for RVi as well. We bought the optional tire pressure monitors which track pressure and temperature of the wheel through the cab controller. It is portable so I can move to any other tow vehicle easy as pie.

[olfarmer]

skipro3 wrote:
Ditto on Ready Brake. The least amount of drama to hook up and especially when disconnecting; one cable does it all.
There is nothing that takes power to operate, so no electronics, vacuum or pressure to fail.

Look into it and you'll see it's the simplest and most straight forward solution.

I tow my Suzuki Samurai with mine.

X3 on the ready brake, works great on my Jeep Grand Cherokee!

[Mile_High]

To add on the RVI2 - it is one of the few portables that actually give you full function and monitoring in the cab via wireless monitor. I can adjust vehicle weight and sensitivity from the cab, as well as monitor function. They have an RVI3 now I see that actually uses more of an ipad type monitor.

I also bought the battery maintainer and installed it, and I even bought a 7 lead wire from the MH to the toad to allow for charging, but I never actually finished wiring it. I know some vehicles can drain the battery because they need the ignition on or some other reasons, but my Jeep doesn't require any of that so the only draw is the RVI2 compressor and after 10 hours of driving days on end, never any indication of the Jeep having a low battery. I will hook it up eventually, just because I have it.

[webslave]

I, too, use the RVi2 system. Doesn't take long to set up, in fact, my wife handles that along with getting the Jeep into neutral while I hook up the tow bar, safety cables and the breakaway lanyard. We finish at the same time, however, she is getting better/faster and the last time, she was waiting on me...:o I guess I better step up my game!

Anyway, 20,000 miles with the RVi2 system and never had an issue. Attaches smoothly, quickly and easily and when I buy another towed, it moves seamlessly to the new vehicle. It has adjustments for the size and weight and type of vehicle; I used it on a 3/4 ton RAM LongHorn before the Jeep and the adjustments handled the 7800 lb Ram and my 4400 Jeep with ease. The only thing(s) that require any installation is the breakaway wire and if you opt for the battery maintainer they sell, that needs hooking up. Both took about 8 minutes each for the initial install. I got the battery maintainer, not because the system needed it, but, I figured if the towed was going to "hang back there" anyway, it might as well get trickle charged while I'm going down the road :C

[Mile_High]

Did you try under the seat? I had trouble getting the SMI under the hood as well, and SMI said it was OK to go under the seat. I never did, I sold it and went portable using the RVI2 system. Its lighweight and fast, but I don't think a system that has to overcome the vacuum booster will ever be as effective as one of the SMI products. I meet the law, and carry on.

RVI2

[wa8yxm]

Ther eare many types of brake systems, I will cover some of them with occasional example.
Ready Brake (Suge brakes) when the towed pushes against the motor home these apply the brakes. In theory and practice these are very simple systems and very little can go wrong.. BUT. Very little is not nothing. Does your regular hand brake work properly? in many cases it does not for the cable is rusted and binding, Same can happen to the Surge brake systems if not watched. Still it is the system I want.

Controlled brake systems (US Gear Unified Brake Decelarator many others). These have a control box in the motor home cockpit. Very good systems. They use the power of the motor home to apply the brakes in some way. The one I mentioned by name is possaibly the best of this as it gives the driver full control over the TOWED brakes, same a a Semi has over his trailer. Only one that does this.

Motor home air brake systems (M&G if it fits and some others. These work best with motor homes that have air brakes. but can be used with any Motor home.

Advantages of ALL the above systems. Once installed (one time) hook up takes only a couple seconds and is very easy. So no motive to say "Forget it".

Installed independent systems.. These use an inertial sensor so when the towed is slowing, they assist.. no hook up, a switch to flip is all. They do draw pwoer from teh towed battery (Addition of the Towed Charge system might help).

Box in the driver's seat (Classic Brake buddy, Even brake) Like the above, but with the additional advantage of you can easily move from one vehicle to another if you have a "Stable" of toweds.

Also the DISadvantage of you must install them EVERY time you tow. and each installation is a chance to mess up.

Also it is easy to say "oh forget it, we are only going a few miles" And regret that decision later.

[doc_brown]

Started 12 years ago with the Blue Ox box unit on the toads floor, too many issues with the air bladder and sensitivity. Went to Ready Brake, it worked ok but I had issues with the cable seizing in the housing and the need to adjust the pull cable too often. I just installed SMI Air Force One, now I'll have proportionality.

[Roadpilot]

I've used a Brake Buddy for years and it works well. Install is very quick and I can transfer it from vehicle to vehicle.

[dtucker3usa]

also use the invisibrake from Roadmaster. No complaints so far.

[Solo]

I cannot find any specific examples of installs on the 2017 Equinox but, the SMI Stay-IN-Play Duo control box can be installed inside the vehicle also if necessary. Take a look at SMI Stay-IN-Play on Etrailer.com. They have excellent customer service and technical advice on installs. Also, give SMI a call/message-my experience with SMI and their technical advice has been superior. Contact SMI. It is hard for me to believe that this unit cannot be installed on your vehicle.

I just installed the Stay-IN-play in our toad a few months ago and have been totally impressed by the function. I find the sensitivity adjustment to be an important feature of the SMI unit as we tow in various situations-interstates, cities, mountains, etc. I really do like the ability to adjust as I go down the road-in fact, this was the deciding factor for me when I went with SMI.

[gbopp]

Ready Brake

[micpib1]

If you have air brakes on the motorhome, you might look into the M&G Brake System. The M&G system is very small and goes between the vacuum booster and the master cylinder. You can find more info at http://www.m-gengineering.com/, there are several reviews here on IRV2 if you will do a search... and if you have an exhaust brake that activates your brake lights, I would seriously consider not doing the Stay and Play Duo, based on my experience. JH

[Gonzo42]

I have the Brake Buddy Vantage Select and I'm very happy with it. I think the Ready brake has less setup time, but I have not used it.

[Ava]

Roadmaster invisibrake is similar to the SMI unit. The control box goes inside the vehicle.