Air brakes on Towed

[down_home]

Since 2006we have used the Roadmaster air brake system, with the cylinder that has to be installed an uninstalled every time you hook up or unhook.
Airraid I believe is one brand,and Air Force One is another brand of under hood air braking system, that you don't have to disconnect or reconnect anything.
Anyone comment on which one you use and of course prices?

[William_B]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
M&G is great and we have used their system on 4 different tow vehicles over the last 20 years. However, they are limited by the number of vehicles it fits. The folks that have installed my M&G's recommend Air Force 1 for the other vehicles.

I had the normal M&G system on my 2014 Ram 1500, but when I got the new 2019 Ram 1500, there isn't enough room at the brake master cylinder for the original system, but they have another system that uses a cylinder mounted in the engine compartment that pulls the brake pedal, still hooks up and operates exactly the same way, but fits way more vehicles.

[Executive45]

Why not simply get the ReadyBrake/ReadyBrute?? Nothing to add, nothing to subtract. Just hook it and go. Easiest system there is and nothing hooked to the toad..I've had mine for 10 years.....Dennis

Ready/Brute

[wa8yxm]

dodge guy wrote:
My buddy has the Brake Buddy. Install is easy, just plug it into the power outlet, hookup and he monitor/control box in the MH, watch that it connects and your all done. It's a simple system and you can easily move it between vehicles, unlike you system that is only for the 1 car. I'm planning on getting a newer vehicle and will then have 2 available toads. ThenBrake Buddy will be perfect for that.

As I said good if you have a "Fleet" (2 is a fleet though in the example I think I used 20) .

But every time you put it in the driver's seat that is an install and if you mess up it can total the car's brakes (happened to me on a different system the dealer messed up the install on.. When will I learn to do it or at least check it myself).

and over time that is a lot of work. plus I've spoken to folks who confirmed they said "Oh forget it" for a short trip.. Murphy's law says that's when someone will run out in front of you and SPLAT.

With the M&G or the US-Gear system I had or any of the other fully installed leave 'em in place all the time you just plug it in (if that) 1-2 seconds and it's live.. Some of them you don't even do that.

[Bill_Satellite]

M&G is great and we have used their system on 4 different tow vehicles over the last 20 years. However, they are limited by the number of vehicles it fits. The folks that have installed my M&G's recommend Air Force 1 for the other vehicles.

[William_B]

We have been using M&G for 6 years and about 60,000 miles in 2 different vehicles. Very pleased!

[down_home]

One concern may arise. When we had our Saturn as a towed, applying the brakes hard in the coach would lock up the Saturn's brakes many times. Of course the Saturn was so light you didn't know it was back there.
The10 and the 13 Edges no problems bu this new 19 Edge ST has larger and stronger brakes.Though a bit smaller is is about 400lbs heavier than the 13. Proportional response is the way to go.
I looked n line at install and activation of Air Force 1 just a bit ago this evening. AIt still activates by the pedal arm.
I had thought it worked on the master cylinder or brake lines.
Looks to be the only two games in town it and Roadmaster. I thought there were more options.

[dodge_guy]

My buddy has the Brake Buddy. Install is easy, just plug it into the power outlet, hookup and he monitor/control box in the MH, watch that it connects and your all done. It's a simple system and you can easily move it between vehicles, unlike you system that is only for the 1 car. I'm planning on getting a newer vehicle and will then have 2 available toads. ThenBrake Buddy will be perfect for that.

[wa8yxm]

PastorCharlie wrote:
Brake Buddy is labor free.

BULL though they CLAIM no installation fact is you have to INSTALL it every time you tow and remove and store it when you want to drive the towed. EVERY install is a chance to screw it up and of course for a short trip tempting to say "oh forget it"

M*G **IF** it fits on your towed the cylinder goes under the Hood between the brake booster and master cylinder. NO effect from booster vacuum so no need to bleed it off. Works on MH air.

I am very much opposed to "Box in the driver's seat" systems like Brake Buddy in case you can not guess. Only good if you have a fleet of towed vehicles and don't want to buy a dozen systems. and even then I'd suggest something better.

[PastorCharlie]

Brake Buddy is labor free.

[accsys]

Back in 2011 we paid 1,100 for the AF1, installation was another four hours labor. It has worked great for over eight years. It does require hooking up the air line from the MH using the quick disconnects on the coach and toad.