Installation costs of braking systems

[stargirl96]

We went to a trailer/hitch place to get info. on getting an auxiliary braking system. By the time they started showing us all the options (usually involving $2000 or more for brake and installation) that my head was swimming. We originally planned to buy the equipment so we could dinghy tow our CR-V, but I'm thinking we may just buy a tow dolly since they already have the brakes.

Before I discard the plan, I was wondering what's the average intallation cost for braking systems?

[stargirl96]

We don't have the tow system yet and want to wait til we make up our mind about dinghy towing or buying a tow dolly.

I've noticed you can buy the equipment for a lot less than the shops charge (through Amazon and others), but the shops will charge more for installation if you provide your own equipment.

My other question is how much damage (holes from drilling, etc.) is done to cars from installing brake systems?

[SCVJeff]

Are you talking about braking systems or full tow packages? Something like a Brake Buddy is around $1k, and running a simple breakaway wire to the front is no big deal.

Dont forget when you sell the car, the BB comes with you.

[Gonzo42]

In my case there was already a tow bar on board and I bought a Brake Buddy which I installed by myself, making necessary brackets for the breakaway switch, plus installing a secondary cigarette lighter on a new panel. So my cost was only labor spread out over several days.

On the money issue, I got mine on fleaBay and saved $700 over retail price and its like new. I did have to buy a breakaway switch which was missing, and BB sent me a power cable for the remote control gratis.