Supplemental Braking

[wbwood]

In the next few months we hope to be able to get our 2016 Ford Focus (manual) set up for flat towing. Been looking around at the options and I like the idea of the Ready Brute Elite with the surge brake in it. My issue with it is that on their install video, they show that you have a friend push on the brake and the cable should push out the front of the vehicle. No problem for when it's hooked up to the RV, that's what it's supped to do. But, when unhooked, I don't know how I feel about a cable going in and out all the time when the brakes are pressed.

I like the idea of something like the brake buddy or patriot because we can move it from one vehicle to another or sell it if we need to and someone else can easily use it without installing new wires like on the readybrake. But, I am wondering if there are any downsides on using them?

Then there is the invisibrake. But again, something installed in the vehicle.

any other good, reliable and more inexpensive supplemental braking systems? Not having one is not an option.

[Rambler]

I have used the break buddy for about 10 years now.
No problems
When I changed vehicle's and needed a 12 volt power supply break buddy sent me one at no cost.

Good luck in your decision.

[wbwood]

RoyB wrote:
Brian - was just looking at the Blue Ox BRK2012 Patriot Brake setup yesterday on AMAZON after reading a post on here... Those things sure don't come cheap...

$1000 for the Main unit, $400 for a base plate setup, and $60 for wiring kit haha... That almost the price of a good older used JEEP...

Roy Ken

Yeah...I can get a Ready Brute Elite tow bar for less than that $1000 on Amazon. That includes the surge braking assembly. Definitely less going that way and the way I am leaning towards. Have not seen a good older jeep that cheap around here...Anything half way decent are well over $5000 lol

[Dutch_12078]

I tried using a cable disconnect at the pedal several years ago, but I found that over time, the cable housing at the front bumper sometimes gathered enough road crud to make it stick when hooked up again. With the cable always connected to the pedal, the regular movement of the cable seems to prevent that. If you switch to a different vehicle later on, there is a "second car" kit available at a nominal price that includes only the cable assembly. When we switched from our 2002 RAV4 to a new 2011 RAV4 though, I was able to move the existing cable from one to the other fairly easily. Only the correct Blue Ox base plate had to be purchased due to a front end redesign. We've been using our ReadyBrute Elite setup since 2008, and have no complaints with it.

[Bobbo]

I have the Ready Brake. My cable DOES come out about an inch or so when the brake is pressed. It has not been a problem in the 6 years I have used it.

[RoyB]

Brian - was just looking at the Blue Ox BRK2012 Patriot Brake setup yesterday on AMAZON after reading a post on here... Those things sure don't come cheap...

$1000 for the Main unit, $400 for a base plate setup, and $60 for wiring kit haha... That almost the price of a good older used JEEP...

Roy Ken

[RichNewcome]

I installed mine so that the cables can be disconnected from the brake pedal when not in use. I pull the outside loops out a couple inches and tuck them out of sight. The inside ends rest under the floor mats.

(Shown with pedal cover off)

[RichNewcome]

Deleted

[wildtoad]

I would not worry about the cable moving a couple of inches max when not hooked up. From what I've seen most if not all people who have them like them. It has to have a fairly low failure rate.

However, I went with the Roadmaster towbar/base plate and then found a nice used Brake Pro on eBay.

[BozemanTrail]

I've been using a ReadyBrake several years -- what is your concern with the cable moving in and out? We haven't had any problems with that at all.

[avan]

Surge brake alternative to ReadyBrake is Blue Ox AutoStop.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I've used Brake Buddy for 11 years. Works good.
Don't know about the others.