Toad Brake Advice

[bobandbon]

We are purchasing a 2008 Honda CRV to tow behind the Dutch Star and need to make a decision regarding which brake system to install. It will be the only vehicle we tow and I'd like to make the hook up as simple as possible. I've got some advice from searching the site but would appreciate any comments from this knowledgable group. Also if anyone has any recommendations as to installers in the Columbia SC or Augusta GA areas I'd appreciate a comment.

Thanks for any advice.

Bob Hunter
2004 DS4009

[bobandbon]

We are purchasing a 2008 Honda CRV to tow behind the Dutch Star and need to make a decision regarding which brake system to install. It will be the only vehicle we tow and I'd like to make the hook up as simple as possible. I've got some advice from searching the site but would appreciate any comments from this knowledgable group. Also if anyone has any recommendations as to installers in the Columbia SC or Augusta GA areas I'd appreciate a comment.

Thanks for any advice.

Bob Hunter
2004 DS4009

[Spoonman]

We have the SMI stay & play on our `02 CRV and it works great. Had ours installed at Newmar rally in Essex Junct VT.
If you cannot find experienced installer in your area a large RV rally may be an option.

[Jestme13]

I just had the SMI Air Force One system installed and love it. It is designed to work with air brake systems. It is very easy to connect and disconnect. I highly recommend it.

[RVDude]

A review of a variety of systems.

[Submustang]

I am currently using a Roadmaster Brake Pro. When we are ready to start hitting the road more regularly, I plan on going to the SMI Airforce One. The Brake Pro works fine, but it is one more thing to carry around.

[Horsepowerfan]

We use a US Gear Unified Tow Brake.

It can be a bit challenging to install, (I did mine myself) but once it's in, it's invisible and there is absolutely no setup to do when connecting the toad except to plug in the wiring harness.

It will work with either diesel or gas coaches, it offers proportional braking between the coach and the toad, there's a sensitivity adjustment that can be operated "on-the-fly", AND it keeps the battery in the toad charged while towing so no need to pull any fuses.

Another thing I like about it is that it utilizes the toad's power brakes by keeping a vacuum in the brake booster. This means that it's not trying to apply the brakes against a "dead pedal".

The system also comes with a breakaway switch that will activate the toad's brakes automatically if it becomes accidentally disconnected from the coach.

If you plan on keeping your coach and toad for some time I think it's the ideal system. You could remove it from the coach and/or toad if you change setups in the future, but it's certainly not as easy as swapping out a Brake Buddy or the like.

[amy5708]

We use the US Brake as well; the only set up is to plug it in!

[DonnaB]

Hi Bob,

We love our solutions which is the Blue Ox Brake Safe push cylinder. See at http://www.blueox.us/Brakes/brakesafe.htm Easy to use, remove and re-attach via quick connects.

We also use the BrakeLock Brakeaway system. This worked for our Chrysler T&C, and we have now moved it to a Jeep Wrangler. Don did the initial install on the T&C, but we had it installed on the Jeep as we no longer have a garage to park at to do the work.

Don also did the hook up on our old motor home (1992 KSDP) himself, but had our dealer install it on the new DSDP. Blue Ox provides very good instructions and is always available for technical assistance should you be doing it yourself. Additionally they are great for on-going support and maintenance.

[SewBzzzy]

We just purchased a 2008 Honda Element to tow behind our 30' Winnebago. We are considering the Blue Ox tow system (Aventa LX tow bar), but don't know which braking system would be the best?? We plan on keeping the Element for quite some time. any advice?

[Tom N]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SewBzzzy:
We just purchased a 2008 Honda Element to tow behind our 30' Winnebago. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is your Element an automatic?? Does Honda approve the 2008 Element for towing?? Will Honda warrant the automatic transmission if towed??

-Tom

[slickcher]

We have had good luck with our Ready Brake System. It is a surge brake that has no electronics to malfunction. We bought a new Honda CR-V in 2007, and it works fine on that as well as our 2005 Jeep Wrangler. It is not expensive when compared to some other brake systems. You can check it out on line.

"Retirement means everyday is a holiday"

[Fillitup]

We use a Brake Buddy. It has worked great. We have towed a Jeep Grand Cherokee, another Jeep Grand Cherokee, a Jeep Wrangler and now a Jeep Liberty....It is easy to change if you go from one tow vehicle to another and we have not had any problems with ours. We know others with the BB also and they are happy wit it too.

I remembered that we did have trouble with the "alert system" it has that is a little light on a box that goes in the coach cab that comes on when it energizes. I hard wired to a little dash light that works fine...I never got to where I trusted the alert light...

[afrank1971]

You might also look into M&G Engineerings brake system. It is also an air brake system, works off the coach air brakes. Once installed, all there is to hook up each time is an air line. We toad our pilot with this system from California over the Rockies through Durango, through the Dakota's and Yellowstone and back and it worked great. Good luck.
Thanks,
Alan