lkazanov
Woodbine, MD
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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Have to chime in for SMI's Silent Partner. Amazing system and would recommend without reservation. Did my own install. Involved, but not overwhelming. 5000 trouble free miles of towing and braking.
2005 Granite Ridge 3100 SS
2005 Nissan Frontier (toad)
Blue Ox Alexus, Roadmster Brackets
SMI Silent Partner
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WTD44
Ca.
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Joined: 09/01/2003
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TheWolf2M wrote:A big thanks to everyone contributing to this thread. I'm new to RVing and just starting to think about buying one of these things. It looks like a lot to learn. Would someone want to share some novice-level information like how do I know I need a supplemental breaking system? Is it something that every towed vehicle should have? Also, does the type of towbar make a difference in choosing the type of supplemental breaking system?
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There are many (the silent majority perhaps?) who do not use them. I don't as my moho weighs about nine times what my toad weighs. It is a call that only you can make. IMO the more the moho weighs in comparison to the toad the less you will have a need for one. However, if you do not have air brakes and tow a full sized vehicle, you most likely should have one. The break-a-way feature is important to some, however I think that if your toad comes lose it is because you screwed up something. I double and triple check my hook up procedure and my mounting system , every time.
'07 H.R. Scepter > P A Q
Cummins 400 ISL
Alison 6 speed World
08 CR-V
Wife and,
Sparky the Wonder Dog
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Jackjagt
S.W. Ontario
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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I think the SMI toad braking system is the most natural system available, unobtrusive, least strain on the toad vehicle.
The key advantage is that it uses a vacuum pump so that the existing brake vacuum booster is a key part of the system. The brake system is actuated by a vacuum cylinder controlled by the same vacuum pump, in response to the brake light signal and braking/deceleration forces acting on a pendulum in the system unit.
Reliable, out-of-the-way, works seamlessly.
I self installed, a fair bit of work, but minimal fuss now. Turn it on at the start of a trip, off at the end.
Life's a Trip!
Greyhead & a cute Brunette
07 Safari Cheetah 36PPD
02 red VW Jetta TDI toad
FMCA F226315,
Ontario OverLanders
Michigan Knights
Skype "merrieyacht'
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pattonsr
Austin, TX
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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I just read through all the posts and noticed one back in 5/25/05 regarding the M&G system. The author uses a Blue Ox Alert system to provide notice of a breakaway situation. I had put together my own system using the Midway kit and the Blue Ox Alert. The Midway system uses a T at the inlet port to sense air pressure and close a circuit. The closed circuit then turned on a light visible to a rear camera. I wasn't happy with the light and wanted a wireless led in the coach.
So I merely connected the circuit through the firewall to the "cold brake wire" of the Blue Ox. The Blue Ox triggers on braking in the motorhome or the activation of the breakaway. The BrakeBuddy alert will work the same if power is provided to the banana plugs. However, I found that the Blue Ox had much more range and didn't care how I hid the transmitter under the dash. I always wondered why M&G didn't come up with something like this.
Well, it appears they have. About a month ago they started offering an alert system. Turns out it consists of a T in the inlet and a connection to a Blue Ox alert (included in the kit). I see no reason why this can't be added to existing systems but one might want to check with M&G about this.
So I guess it's time to officially add an alert system to the M&G reviews.
As an aside, the Blue Ox alert appears to stay on until the transmitter tells it the sensing current is gone. If the receiver is driven out of range of the transmitter, the red alert light stays on until the receiver is unplugged (the unit never received the turn off from the transmitter).
Barry
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Barry (pattonsr)
You certainly are right. JohnnyT sent me the information on 1/17 and I still haven't found the time to update the M&G post.
I'll just have to get it on my schedule.
Tom
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tommaran
Cherry Hill Park, MD
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Joined: 01/02/2006
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With all this information it still seems a little confusing or should I say difficult to make the right decision of what to buy. I don't think I want to be intrusive to the original brake systems of the coach or the toad by adapt a aftermarket brake syetem. Seems like I would run the risk of the orignal brake system to fail.
Nor do I want to trust my front seat slide gear to hold the amount of pressure it takes to push the brake pedal in case of an emergency.
I like the idea of being able to monitor and control the toad brake system from my coach, but do not think I would ever want to stop my coach with the toad.
A good reliable brake system for my toad should not be this difficult to find.
The cable system seems simple and non intrusive. Does anyone have experience with this type?
Tom
2005 Beaver
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pparker900
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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Tom,
Thanks very much for putting all this info in one place! Like a couple of the others, I too am getting set for a toad for the first time, and the braking system is the most confusing (as in which one to choose). I am going to be towing a Saturn VUE with a diesel pusher which has air brakes, so if you have a recommended set up that you are especially fond of, please do speak up!
- Thanks, Pat
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pparker900
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Tom,
One more question: Can you please add something about the Blue Ox products? They have a ToadStop I/II, Apollo and something called Brake Safe.
- Pat
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Don & Gloria
Bryan
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Joined: 07/02/2005
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I have a new Roadmaster Even Brake unit and just made my first trip towing a dingy. I do have a couple of concerns with the Even Brake.
One concern has to do with the remote communications from the remote brake to the receiver in the motor home. Several times the remote monitor in the motor home showed the brakes applied, but then did not release right away. I stopped and checked the tow car and the brakes were not on. I power cycled the monitor in the motor home and it returned to normal. I think there are times when the sending unit in the tow car does not link well with the receiver in the motor home.
The tow car had a low battery alarm on the trip back - we were still an hour from home. The Even Brake unit reported the low battery alarm as it said it would. I don't know if I had a weak battery to begin with or not. We drove the toad around a lot the day before we came home and we were only 200 miles away. I don't think the Even Brake should have run down the battery on that short of a trip, the tow car started when we got home - I didn't have to use jumper cables or anything.
Don & Gloria
2011 Phaeton 36 QSH
2005 Isuzu Ascender
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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pparker900,
I made an informal agreement with some of the manufacturers that I would not show a preference for a particular system. In exchange, I was able to communicate with engineers at many of the companines - some via e-mails, some via telephone.
As far as the Blue Ox braking systesm, the Apollo system is the first one in the reviews, which are listed in alphabetical order. Blue Ox makes quite a collection of supplementary brake systems – Apollo, AutoStop, ToadStop, ToadStop II, and BrakeSafe. The different systems were more than I could handle when trying to write reviews. For example, with the BrakeSafe system, Blue Ox advertises as an important feature that it does not tap into the toad’s brake system. Yet the BrakeSafe does tap into the coach’s brake system. And, more to the point here, ToadStop does tap into the toad’s brake system. It seems as if when any company came out with a brake system, Blue Ox came out with a similar model. The criteria I established writing a review included either access to someone knowledgeable at the company or direct access to a working unit. At the time, I could not get a meaningful dialog opened with Bleu Ox. I do have a friend who uses the Apollo system; thus, I was able to include it.
Here are some brief observations about the Blue Ox systems, other than Apollo, which has a full review in the first post.
AutoStop is very similar to ReadyBrake
ToadStop is a system that taps into the RV’s vacuum system and the toad’s vacuum system. The vacuum is used to power the toad’s power brakes and to pull on a cable attached t the toad’s brake pedal. I think they have an optional vacuum pump for diesels and those who don’t want to tap into the RV’s vacuum system.
ToadStop II is a self-contained system that puts a vacuum pump in the toad’s trunk. A cable from runs through a pulley on the toad’s firewall to pull on the toad’s brake pedal. The system is connected electrically with the RV. Like ToadStop, it reads the RV’s brake lights.
Both ToadStop and ToadStop II have a control unit in the RV that allows the system to be turned off, work ‘normally’, or be activated independently of the RV.
BrakeSafe Push (but it could be Pull) is the one that might be compared with the BrakeMaster and M&G systems. It taps into the RV’s air system or hydraulic system.
Tom
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