Brake Buddies, BrakePro, raodmaster, evenbrake ???

[BobnSofi]

Hi All,

Just picked up a 2016 Ford Edge for our pusher to drag... to prepare for some long haul'n.

In the past we have always had light Towds and towd in an assisted braking exempt state.

So here we go...

??? What system do you all pros suggest ???

??? links to learn, which & why ???

thanks to those of you posting with experience/knowledge
thanks to those of you not posting otherwise

[mowermech]

Nutinelse2do wrote:

mowermech wrote:
Very few states have a law requiring an auxiliary braking system on towed passenger vehicles.

I would say over 30 States requiring it is more than " very few " .Towing laws

We love our RVI brake. We used a brake buddy for about 10 years. The RVI is so much smaller and lighter. We were going to get the Air Force, but it's not as easy to change to a different toad.

Since Montana is the state with which I am most familiar, I will use it as an example of the (in)accuracy of towing laws quoted in the reference.
The first thing I notice is that the reference does not state whether the 3000 lb. limit is unladen weight or GVW. In Montana it is GVW, in some other states it is unladen weight.
The second thing worthy of note is that the 3000 lb. limit applies to TRAILERS (as does the requirement for breakaway braking). When we refer to MCA (Montana Code Annotated) 61-1-101 we find that "(82) (a) "Trailer" means a vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and constructed so that no part of its weight rests on the towing vehicle."! Note that a "trailer" is designed to carry PROPERTY, not people, and to be towed by a motor vehicle. Thus, it follows that a passenger vehicle that has been modified for being towed is not a "trailer".
So, if we want to find the REAL Montana requirement, we must go to:
MCA 61-9-312. Performance ability of brakes. On a dry, hard, approximately level stretch of highway free from loose material, a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, upon application of the service brake, must be capable of stopping at a speed of 20 miles an hour within the following distances:
(1) 25 feet for passenger motor vehicles, except buses and pioneer vehicles;
(2) 40 feet for buses, trucks, and tractor trucks;
(3) 45 feet for motor vehicles registered or qualified to be registered as pioneer vehicles under 61-3-411(2)(a) when equipped with two-wheel brakes or 25 feet when equipped with four-wheel brakes;
(4) 40 feet for all combinations of vehicles; and
(5) 30 feet for motorcycles, quadricycles, and motor-driven cycles.
Note Paragraph (4). A motorhome towing a vehicle is definitely a "combination of vehicles". If you can stop your rig within 40 feet from 20 MPH, no auxiliary braking is required in Montana.
Most states, and the FMVSS, have a similar braking performance standard.

I have never seen a "list of towing laws" that is truly accurate when it comes to laws regarding the towing of passenger vehicles behind an RV!

[Nutinelse2do]

mowermech wrote:
Very few states have a law requiring an auxiliary braking system on towed passenger vehicles.

I would say over 30 States requiring it is more than " very few " .Towing laws

We love our RVI brake. We used a brake buddy for about 10 years. The RVI is so much smaller and lighter. We were going to get the Air Force, but it's not as easy to change to a different toad.

[mowermech]

If I ever buy such an "auxiliary braking system", it will be the Ready Brute or Ready Brake system from NSA.
The Ready Brute is a complete towing system; towbar, braking system, etc. ready to install.
The Ready Brake is a ball mount and cable to be used with any towbar.
Both system,s are simple, mechanical, relatively easy to install, and there have been few reports of failures.
No electronics to short out, no compressors to wear out, no heavy boxes to wrestle with, just a simple mechanical surge brake system that works.

Very few states have a law requiring an auxiliary braking system on towed passenger vehicles.

[Bumpyroad]

I used a brake buddy for many years with absolutely no problem. I blame a lot of people who have problems to operator error.
I wanted to be able to move braking system between toads.
bumpy

[sch911]

Have gone through a couple of Brake Buddy's pump motors due to burn out. It's a big issue when low voltage is encountered. Now use the Air Force One. Much better...

[folivier]

I've used Readybrake also but on a Demco towbar. For about $70 you can buy another cable to install in another vehicle if needed, or if you change toads.

[Dutch_12078]

We like our ReadyBrake system. Simple one clip hook up and no electrical parts to fail. Ours is built in to our ReadyBrute tow bar, but the stand alone version works equally well.

[doc_brown]

Air Force One. Used the other systems, like this the best.

[j-d]

Gonzo42 wrote:
Brake Buddy Vantage Select works perfectly for me.

I like ours, and the Proportional mode takes the jerkiness out of the stopping.

That said, part of the appeal of Brake Buddy (and any other "brake in a box) was that we had two toads and could use one system with only an extra wiring kit. If you have a toad, ONE toad, and plan to be out with it a lot, I'd say get something you don't have to remove to be able to get aboard and drive. BB is a good brand, so I'd keep their unit called Stealth on the candidate list.

Which tow bar do you have now? There are Blue Ox models you can add surge braking to, and another brand offers a surge brake add-on, plus a tow bar incorporating that feature.

[Gonzo42]

Brake Buddy Vantage Select works perfectly for me.