Is anyone towing a CRV?

[Bob and Vicki]

We are towing a 2008 Honda CRV this year. We use a Brake Buddy. When we apply the brakes in the MH, the toad skids. We have ABS. The towing instructions say key in acc, etc. Anyone know what's causing the skidding?

[Bob and Vicki]

We are towing a 2008 Honda CRV this year. We use a Brake Buddy. When we apply the brakes in the MH, the toad skids. We have ABS. The towing instructions say key in acc, etc. Anyone know what's causing the skidding?

[LK23]

Yes, we had the same problem when we first started towing. As I understand it, it is caused by excess hydralic pressure remaining in the CRV's brakes after then engine is turned off.

Once I have everything installed in the CRV and turned the CRV engine off, I hit the Brake Buddy test button 5 times to actuate the CRV's brakes. Now, when I brake the RV and the Brake Buddy actuates, I get normal braking and no skidding.

[Bob and Vicki]

Thanks. We'll give it a try tomorrow.

[two sailors]

If I remember right, the instructions that came with our BB included the fact that the brake peddle was to be pumped three times after the engine is turned off.

[paz]

In our Saturn Vue, we use a Roadmaster Brake Pro, which operates much the same as the Brake Buddy. On a coulpe of occasions, I have had the same thing happen when I forgot to pump the brakes after turning off the engine of the toad.

These brake systems are "dead pedal" brake systems which are designed to be used without the toad brakes being power assisted. Vacuum remaining in the reservoir will cause the brake action to be too strong unless the vacuum is bled off by actuating the toad brakes several times after the engine is turned off.

[Harry B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The towing instructions say key in acc, etc. Anyone know what's causing the skidding? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob,

The brake vacuum booster retains the vacuum build up from when the engine ran. This is what gives you the power assist on your brakes. As mentioned after shutting off the engine pump the brakes via the test button several times and it will bleed off the remaining vacuum.

The Brake Buddy is designed to work without vacuum assist and applies much more pressure on the brake pedal than what is needed when you still have vacum available to assist the CRV braking, consequently locking up the brakes or almost if the ABS is working

[GG1]

I had he same problem, I called Brake Buddy tech assist told me to reduce the sensitivty setting down to 2 or 3, It has not happened since.

[Route 66]

It can only be three things.

1. Vacuum has not been bled off by pumping the brakes.

2. Sensitivity is set too high.

4. Force is set too high.

[ARNE-T]

We used the Brake Buddy on our 1999 CR/v. It certainly had a mind of its own. Even after pumping the brakes 10 times, reducing the sensitivity to 3 and reducing the pressure to 30 it would occasionally decide to panic stop; usually when we were going at relatively slow speed. We had to replace the front tires twice.

With our new 2008 CR/V we are using the SMI Duo. So far no problems.
arne

[j griff]

I have been using the Brake Buddy on our 04 CRV since it was new with no problem. Usually have the sensitivity set at the mid point and seldom have to make a stop that activates the CRV brakes. In those rare instances when I have had to make hard stops the Brake Buddy and CRV have performed as advertised.