JDEnsie
Avon Park, FL
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Joined: 08/04/2007
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Like Nolimits we use the Redi-Brake system. We have a Demco tow bar that we replaced the yoke to adapt the Redi-brake and it works great as he stated.
We also made an adapter for our bicycle rack so that the braking system still works.
Know when it is on or off by the light in the dash area.
Is a lot easier to hook up and disconnect.
We did all of the work ourselves and the cost as stated above was around $1300.
Best part is we don't have to lug a box around the country.
Full time workampers. ">
2001 Safari Serengti MH 350 hp DP pulling 2005 Saturn Vue.
Now sitting in Avon Park, FL. ">
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Golden_HVAC
Fairview OR, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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JDEnsie wrote:Like Nolimits we use the Redi-Brake system. We have a Demco tow bar that we replaced the yoke to adapt the Redi-brake and it works great as he stated.
We also made an adapter for our bicycle rack so that the braking system still works.
Know when it is on or off by the light in the dash area.
Is a lot easier to hook up and disconnect.
We did all of the work ourselves and the cost as stated above was around $1300.
Best part is we don't have to lug a box around the country.
$1,300? That works out to about $75 in sales tax, and I don't have half that much invested in the two braking systems I installed on my Bounder for a Honda CRV and Ford Edge.
I used a cruise control motor that I found at a junkyard, and hooked up the cable to the brake pedal, and that pulls the brake pedal to the floor when I apply the brakes in the RV.
I ran a 3/8" air hose from the RV engine to the back of the RV with a air line quick disconnect. Then from the toad, I ran a vacuum line to the RV quick disconnect, and then to a tee. One side goes to a 3 way valve, the other to a check valve, then another tee in the vacuum line coming from the brake master cyliner to the engine vacuum source. There needs to be a new check valve installed between the new tee and the engine. I bought the check valves at the junkyard, along with finding a three way vacuume switch there too.
The cruise control motor came from a Nissan, was about 2.5" in diameter, so can provide about 20 - 30 pounds of pull against the cable, and it is attached to the floor, and the brake pedal. No need to install anything other than the power cord and air hose when hitching up.
It provides a noticable amount of braking. When I was driving through the White Mountains in Arizona, I was applying light brake pressure in the RV, keeping the brake lights energized, so the toad brakes where activated, and they helped slow the RV down the steeper hills (in addition to locking out overdrive). I took the RV into a rest area, and even after using the brakes for about 30% of the time on a long downgrade, then about 1 mile of level area, the brakes where not hot on the toad or RV.
I tow a Ford Edge with all wheel disk brakes.
It took about 2 hours to install this system, and perhaps another hour to drive to the junkyard for the parts. Many people spend more than this much time just to read about braking systems on the internet, before deciding what to purchase!
Good Luck!
Fred.
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BillsRVing
Hesperia, CA
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Joined: 03/21/2009
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I have been using the US Gear Unified Tow Brake since 1996, when I bought my 97 Jeep Gnd Cherokee 4x4. I had it install on my 90 Southwind and when traded up to Winnebago Adventurer 2003 just had them transfer it over. The one addition I did was incorporated the 2 wire harness into the 6 wire electrical plugs. So that now when I plug in the light plug the brake connection is also made, works for me. I really like the fact that I can adjust the jeep braking from within the MH and when I disconnect the electrical harness there is nothing else to move and store away till later.
Really do like this web site.
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Jeff&Laura
Elk Grove, CA
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Joined: 10/14/2004
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I am really satisfied with the US Gear System. It is truly automatic with an adjustable lever that you can use in panic stops and/or just barely slowing down. No maintenance on it at all. When you start it up, it goes through an initial boot up program to make sure every thing is working ok. It's a very good product and I highly recommed it.
Jeff
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Dutch_12078
Winters south, summers north
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Joined: 10/07/2008
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The ReadyBrake review indicates that there is "pulley" that has to be installed on the firewall. That's not the case. The actuator cable runs directly to the brake arm from its housing. Only a small mounting hole for the cable housing is needed in the firewall.
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F53 chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
Bigfoot Automatic Leveling System
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Joined: 12/30/2001
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Dutch_12078 wrote:The ReadyBrake review indicates that there is "pulley" that has to be installed on the firewall. That's not the case. The actuator cable runs directly to the brake arm from its housing. Only a small mounting hole for the cable housing is needed in the firewall.
That is the trouble with information that was, for the most part, gathered more than 6 years ago. (Gee, has it been that long?) Things change.
At the time of the original post, it was as accurate as I could make it. Before I included a system I talked to a engineer or technician at the company. In most cases, I had discussions with members of this forum who used the system. At the time of the post, there were a few other systems on the market, but I could not get a sufficiently knowledgeable person at the companies to talk to me; thus, there were not included.
Will it ever be updated? I would like to, but there are only so many hours in a day. Perhaps it is time to "cut the thread loose."
BTW, I'm not sure that the pulley system wasn't a little more flexible than the current one. The hole through the firewall seems to require a more precise placement that may not be "doable" on many models.
Tom
Tom
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Dutch_12078
Winters south, summers north
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pulsar wrote:Dutch_12078 wrote:The ReadyBrake review indicates that there is "pulley" that has to be installed on the firewall. That's not the case. The actuator cable runs directly to the brake arm from its housing. Only a small mounting hole for the cable housing is needed in the firewall.
That is the trouble with information that was, for the most part, gathered more than 6 years ago. (Gee, has it been that long?) Things change.
At the time of the original post, it was as accurate as I could make it. Before I included a system I talked to a engineer or technician at the company. In most cases, I had discussions with members of this forum who used the system. At the time of the post, there were a few other systems on the market, but I could not get a sufficiently knowledgeable person at the companies to talk to me; thus, there were not included.
Will it ever be updated? I would like to, but there are only so many hours in a day. Perhaps it is time to "cut the thread loose."
BTW, I'm not sure that the pulley system wasn't a little more flexible than the current one. The hole through the firewall seems to require a more precise placement that may not be "doable" on many models.
Tom
Yep, that's all true enough, Tom. Thanks for the effort though, it's a worthwhile one.
Dutch
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artsyone
California
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Joined: 12/11/2007
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Does anyone have experience using the M and G Braking system for their toad? We have a GMC Trailblazer. We just are having a hard time making decision on what to go with. Any info anyone has would be appreciated - pros and cons Thanks
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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artsyone wrote:Does anyone have experience using the M and G Braking system for their toad? We have a GMC Trailblazer. We just are having a hard time making decision on what to go with. Any info anyone has would be appreciated - pros and cons Thanks
I think you would get better response to your question if you started a new thread. This thread is really about the features of the different systems. The thread has been here for a long time and many that could help you, might not even open the thread.
Tom
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teebee1
La
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Joined: 12/30/2007
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ReadyBrake--Yesterday, I ran the cable for the Ready Brake system. The hardest part is getting hands down in a small engine compartment. Drilling the hole and then mounting the end of the cable through the wall wasn't a bad job.
teebee1
2007 Four Winds Hurricane 34B
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser turbo, convertible
retired and irresponsible
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