New dinghy brakings system considerations?

[BonanzaFlyer]

I'm looking to purchase a braking system for a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited to be towed behind an '08 Essex 4508. I have read most of the threads on dinghy towing but was wondering if there were any new considerations given most were dated. I will be using a Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar.

[Mr_D]

Not really, we used the RoadMaster BrakeMaster on the Jeep GC. It would lock up the tires on the toad if necessary, I had to do it once when an idiot in front of me decided he wanted over two lanes to take the off ramp we were just passing. Guess howling tires and dual air horns made him decide to take the next exit!
Wife and I were looking at a new 2011 Essex a few weeks ago, beautiful rig!! But a little much for Forest Service campgrounds!!

[Iron Man]

SMI Air Force One

[Ken Gluckman]

I second the recommendation for SMI. We're using it on our 2008 Mountain Aire with our Jeep Commander. Works great, trouble free, and easy to set up.

[Bill M]

Here's a vote for Brake Buddy. Towing a 2010 Chevy Equinox behind our 2008 Essex 4508. Had to put in a aux power outlet to keep it powered, that was easy. Proportional braking with a remote receiver in the coach. Remote lights up when brakes in tow are activated. I like it.

[Skip426]

Question for , Bill M. I've heard of signal cross over on the wireless activated systems. Is it possible with your system to select a different frequency , if necessary. If so how many can you choose from.
Story I heard was , atributed to MH convoys on the Alaska Highway, where two coaches with the same brake system , traveling together, triggered the brakes in one and other's toweds.
I read it on the internet . IT MUST BE TRUE!

[clubmed98]

M+G also is very nice and simple..like it a lot

[mercerc44]

Brake Buddy works for us. I just set the sensitivity so it will activate only in a panic stop or if the toad breaks away. Otherwise, hope it doesn't engage and burn up Trailblazer brakes.

[Renden]

My vote for Brake Buddy since my Vibe weighs less than 3,000 lbs and I also put the sensitivity low .... my towed car has very expensive tires do use a 900 amp battery backup(for the 12 V Brake buddy connection) and cut my car's battery power so I do not drain it

[Bill M]

to Skip246:

the Brake Buddy wireless remote allows you to change the sensitivity, switch between full or proportional braking and it lights up when the dinghy brakes are applied. It does not engage the brakes wirelessly. That's done only by the gravity switches or whatever in the BB unit sitting in the towed.

Not sure if you were traveling with several rigs with similar BB setups would you get any interference. I don't think it would. Someone would have to be changing their settings while close enough to your rig.

I had stopped using the BB for a while, just being lazy. Mostly going out on short trips. But then I happened upon a thread in this or another forum which scared me back into diligent use.

[kjburns]

I don't know of anything new that would be different from the older posts. I prefer the built-in setups and have used both the US Gear and SMI. They're both solid, reliable setups.

[azloafer]

I haven't used a toad yet, but I have been told that the latest brake system to come out is called RVi. RvIbrake

Safe travels, Joe

[DocJim]

We are using the Blue Ox Patriot and Aventa LX Tow bar system to tow our Silverado Crewcab. We have been very happy with the system towing primarily through the Canadian Rockies.

I noticed a company that supplies wiring harness for late model Jeep Wranglers. (Cool Tech LLC) also search for comments on IRV2 forums.

[RUFINIT]

Have the US Gear. Expensive to buy, expensive to install and expensive to transfer to a different toad. Then expensive to replace the control unit. Would not recommend.