Towed vehicle braking survey.

[niles500]

Nick - you might contact Steve Fessden - he had a home-built break-away system that was simple, cheap and looked like it should work OK - HTH

[JackConrad]

Nick,
    Like everything else, there are pros and cons to all the different systems. I prefer the M&G because once installed, it is always there ready to use and nothing has to be removed and stored before you drive the toad. The down side is that they are prettyy much vehicle specific and operate off bus air brake pressure (have to plumb into tag axle brake line and install a quck disconnect at bus rear bumper.
    The self contained style like the brake buddy do not require plumbing into the bus brake system and can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another. Downside it that it has to be removed and stored before the toad can be driven.  You just have to decide which works best for you and your situation.  YMMV  Jack
PS: I made my own break away system using the photo on the M&G website as a guide.

[Gary W]

Nick I have the same system as Jack Conrad the  M&G brake unit on our Grand Cherokee. It works great and is permently mounted on the vehicle. Just hook up the air line to my Jeep and your set . The best part you don't have to store another piece of bulky equipment under the bus. Here is there web site.

Gary

http://www.m-gengineering.com/BrakeSystem.html

[ttomas]

I've used a brake buddy for four years now and love it. Never had any problems. Tom

[DrivingMissLazy]

Nick I have the same system as Jack Conrad the  M&G brake unit on our Grand Cherokee. It works great and is permently mounted on the vehicle. Just hook up the air line to my Jeep and your set . The best part you don't have to store another piece of bulky equipment under the bus. Here is there web site.

Gary

http://www.m-gengineering.com/BrakeSystem.html

I had the M&G on my Tahoe and I have to assume that it worked great. I never really found out any way to actually check it and see how much braking action, if any, I was getting.
Richard

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Nick,
    Like everything else, there are pros and cons to all the different systems. I prefer the M&G because once installed, it is always there ready to use and nothing has to be removed and stored before you drive the toad. The down side is that they are prettyy much vehicle specific and operate off bus air brake pressure (have to plumb into tag axle brake line and install a quck disconnect at bus rear bumper.
    The self contained style like the brake buddy do not require plumbing into the bus brake system and can be easily transferred from one vehicle to another. Downside it that it has to be removed and stored before the toad can be driven.  You just have to decide which works best for you and your situation.  YMMV  Jack
PS: I made my own break away system using the photo on the M&G website as a guide.

Hi Jack,
How far north will your trip take you?
Do you want to help me install it If you do?  [$$]
Nick-

[David Anderson]

Here is my system on my Eagle 10 pulling a Nissan pickup.  It taps the bus air brake system, is proportional to foot pedal pressure, and has a break away safety stop which meets towing requirements in all 50 states.

http://hendersonslineup.com/uncategorized/superstop-fitzall-tow-brake-system/ 
I can't remember the price, but somewhere around $425.

Here is the towing requirements for dinghies and trailers.

http://www.brakebuddy.com/Towing-Laws

good luck,
David

[JackConrad]

Hi Jack,
How far north will your trip take you?
Do you want to help me install it If you do?  [$$]
Nick

Sorry Nick,
   We will not get any further north this trip. When we leave here, we are going to Greenville, SC are to visit with the busnuts in that area, before going to Alabama.

[Jerry Liebler]

Nick,
    I have the 'Brakemaster' system from 'Roadmaster'  it's a  simple pneumatic cylinder that pushes the towed's brake pedal.  They have brackets to make it simple to mount in essentially any towed.  It 'tees' off the bus air brake system, includes a reservoir tank, valves and switch to complete a  breakaway system.  Though overpriced it's very simple, almost elegant, and very quick to remove to use the towed.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Nick,
    I have the 'Brakemaster' system from 'Roadmaster'  it's a  simple pneumatic cylinder that pushes the towed's brake pedal.  They have brackets to make it simple to mount in essentially any towed.  It 'tees' off the bus air brake system, includes a reservoir tank, valves and switch to complete a  breakaway system.  Though overpriced it's very simple, almost elegant, and very quick to remove to use the towed.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

Hi Jerry,
Are the Even Brake and Brake Master pretty much the same but a newer version?
Camping World has the Even Brake on sale this month.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/even_brake.html
Thanks
Nick-

Here is the installation PDF on the Even Brake.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/85-3203-07.pdf

[Jerry Liebler]

Nick,
    I believe the 'evenbrake' includes a compressor and is designed for tow vehicles without air systems while the 'brakemaster' is the simpler system for tow vehicles with air brakes.
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/brakemaster/brake_m.html is the link.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Thanks Jerry,

A little more reading is what I need to do....

Nick-