Toad Brake System product, anyone have infor on this product?

[Gary LaBombard]

Hello Everyone,
I just seen this product advertised in my new FMC Coach magazine and wanted to know if anyone knew of anyone using it, and the pros and cons of it if they don't mind.  Go to:
www.readybrake.com
I am not trying to sell them, just thinking of using one for myself but again this is a new product to consider.
The situation with Larry and Christy has really got me thinking of anything I can while towing and this product is just one part of it. 
Thanks ahead of time for any input to help make a decision for my S&S and Eagle if it ever gets on the road.

Gary

[Barn Owl]

I think in the situation with Larry and Christy is that their hitch came off the bus; therefore, the braking system in that link would do little to stop the vehicle. Here are some others that might also be of interest:

www.m-gengineering.com
www.aemfg.com
www.RemcoTowing.com
www.brakebuddy.com
www.tow-v-aire.com
www.usgear.com
www.towbrake.com
www.smibrake.com

TOAD BRAKING SYSTEMS
By: Bob Gummersall
http://www.rversonline.org/ArtDinghy2.html
http://www.rversonline.org/ArtFAQ6.html


INTERNET LINKS FOR RVers
http://www.rversonline.org/RV6.html

[John E. Smith]

Hmmmm.... simple and innovative, I will say that.

But I am not sure that I would really trust a cable type setup like that... too tempting a target for vandals, and too easy to get damaged by road debris, I think.

I think I would rather trust a surge brake system that plumbs into the toad's brake system with a "quick disconnect", and uses armored line outside of the toad.

[akbusguy2000]

In my opinion, these people make the best of the best, and when I reach that landmark, its probably what I will go with, along with their companion breakaway device.  It's not cheap, but I think the simplicity and convenience makes it worth the money.
tg

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

[Gary LaBombard]

Very, Very good information there Barn Owl & Akabusguy2000,  I am still researching all your links you posted, you have a lot of information and thanks for posting this for us all.  Now I have lots of choices, shucks, I hate that, not really.  Our brake systems and towing procedures has to be a very, very important part of all our travels and I hope that all the mentioning of some failures here on our bulleting board in the past for what ever reason will make us all  think and cringe a little if we even think of cheating here.  You can bet if anyone pulls along side me over 60 MPH and are pulling a toad, they can have the road and I am dropping back, new vehicle or not, I will have a lot of people peaved at me at times when we do start pulling a toad I am sure but just the thought of a break-away toad going down the opposite lane in my rear view mirror really tightens up my butt.
Good grief there is so much to really think about here with this hobby, I think it has cost me between $5000-6000 per mile now, only drove her 100 miles!!  And she still is sitting on wood blocks!!
Some of this information can be overwhelming I am sure, it sometimes is to me but I try to always to think what is right and safe for my family and everyone else on the highway and I just can't stop thinking that way and hope many more start more pre-trip inspections every day they travel. 
Thanks Again Barn Owl & Akabusguy2000 for sharing the informative brake system links.
Gary  

[Christyhicks]

[quoteIn my opinion, these people make the best of the best, and when I reach that landmark, its probably what I will go with, along with their companion breakaway device.  It's not cheap, but I think the simplicity and convenience makes it worth the money.
tg]

I'm sure that this is an excellent system, but let me tell you why we chose the Brake Buddy.  Simplicity, ease of use, and versatility.  The Brake Buddy is so easy to install, that I feel confident in shipping one down to my mother to install before she returns from Texas.  It is quick and easy to install and remove. . . in fact, I can install the brake buddy, put the Jeep in neutral, disconnect the toad battery and hook up the auxilliary power wire to the battery during the same time it takes Larry to hook the tow bar and safety cables up.  The thing we really like is that if we switch toads, which we have done a few times already, it's easy to move it to a different vehicle with very little setup. 

The breakaway switch does need to be routed from the cab to the front bumper, and you need a 12v power source. . .those are the only two "mechanical" things that need to be done to fully utilize the device.  It's actually possible (if you don't use the breakaway), to use the Brake Buddy in a car, temporarily, by simply leaving the ignition switch in the acc position so you have power and do absolutely no "installation" work at all.  I thought that in a pinch, if one were going to tow a vehicle for a short distance, this ability might just come in handy. 

We did purchase a similiar unit from Camping World (Roadmaster Add-A-Brake) for my mom, but after reading the installation instructions, returned it and ordered a Brake Buddy instead, as we felt the installation for the Add-a-Brake unit was much, much more complex, requiring a fair amount of wiring.  Perhaps that unit is "better". . . I don't know, I'm sure different opinions exist, but I felt that the Brake Buddy was so easy to use that I knew she'd have no problem installing it for her trip back home. 

Anyway, that's my opinion. Christy Hicks

[Busted Knuckle]

[quoteIn my opinion, these people make the best of the best, and when I reach that landmark, its probably what I will go with, along with their companion breakaway device.  It's not cheap, but I think the simplicity and convenience makes it worth the money.
tg]

I'm sure that this is an excellent system, but let me tell you why we chose the Brake Buddy.  Simplicity, ease of use, and versatility.  The Brake Buddy is so easy to install, that I feel confident in shipping one down to my mother to install before she returns from Texas.  It is quick and easy to install and remove. . . in fact, I can install the brake buddy, put the Jeep in neutral, disconnect the toad battery and hook up the auxilliary power wire to the battery during the same time it takes Larry to hook the tow bar and safety cables up.  The thing we really like is that if we switch toads, which we have done a few times already, it's easy to move it to a different vehicle with very little setup. 

The breakaway switch does need to be routed from the cab to the front bumper, and you need a 12v power source. . .those are the only two "mechanical" things that need to be done to fully utilize the device.  It's actually possible (if you don't use the breakaway), to use the Brake Buddy in a car, temporarily, by simply leaving the ignition switch in the acc position so you have power and do absolutely no "installation" work at all.  I thought that in a pinch, if one were going to tow a vehicle for a short distance, this ability might just come in handy. 

We did purchase a similiar unit from Camping World (Roadmaster Add-A-Brake) for my mom, but after reading the installation instructions, returned it and ordered a Brake Buddy instead, as we felt the installation for the Add-a-Brake unit was much, much more complex, requiring a fair amount of wiring.  Perhaps that unit is "better". . . I don't know, I'm sure different opinions exist, but I felt that the Brake Buddy was so easy to use that I knew she'd have no problem installing it for her trip back home. 

Anyway, that's my opinion. Christy Hicks

Christy let's let's not forget another PLUS for the Brake Buddy! You know it works from experience!
BK 

[Jerry32]

I have used the ready brake system and find it is simpler and works better that all the power jobs. It is proportional and even applies brakes when using the exhaust brake. It does require installation on the toad though.

[DrivingMissLazy]

I put an M&G system on my Tahoe several years ago. In fact the brake actuator is still installed but I no longer have the bus. LOL
My only problem was that I could not determine it it was actually working and how much braking effort it was providing. A 5,000 pound vehicle behind a 40,000 vehicle is not easy to detect what it is doing. Anybody know how something like this should/could be checked?
Richard

[kyle4501]

I put an M&G system on my Tahoe several years ago. In fact the brake actuator is still installed but I no longer have the bus. LOL
My only problem was that I could not determine it it was actually working and how much braking effort it was providing. A 5,000 pound vehicle behind a 40,000 vehicle is not easy to detect what it is doing. Anybody know how something like this should/could be checked?
Richard

Video camera (like a second backup camera) in toad looking at the brake pedal to see if it is actually applying the brakes.

Someone you trust to tell the truth sitting in the toad for a short trip.

Install a pressure transducer in the toad brake line & have a gauge in bus.

Don't plug in the toad lights (just the brake buddy part so the coach lights don't turn on the toad lights) & have someone following to tell you when the toad brake lights come on.

[kyle4501]

If you have only one toad, I like the M&G air cylinder. For what my Dad paid for his brake buddy, I could install the M&G in several cars.

Dad is pleased with his brake buddy & likes the ease of swapping it to other toads.

I'm just looking forard to needing one! 

Gary, with your machining skills, I'll bet you could make your own air cylinder to use.
As for liability - They can't get blood from a turnip!
Wait a minute! If you made it, it won't fail & the liability issue is moot!

Build it your way!

Are you planning to pull your S&S with you as an emergency bed room/ dog house?

[Gary LaBombard]

Haha Kyle, your not too far fetched at that after all, how much does my S&S weigh for my brake system??Huummmm
Good Idea, mother inlaw apt. on wheels or my DOG house for me.
Gary