Community Forums

codgerbill · 01-25-2008, 02:32 PM

I am about to commit to a brake buddy or other such system. The ads all say it can be moved from one vehicle to another. I do believe that a "breakaway system" is also required. Required or not I do plan on installing the breakaway system. My question is one of installing the breakaway system. Does one have to drill a hole in the firewall of the toad to install the breakaway system. I have a jeep and would also like some suggestions from other Jeep owners.

2000 Winnebago 35U
2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 dr
5 yr old choc lab puppy

codgerbill · 01-25-2008, 02:32 PM

I am about to commit to a brake buddy or other such system. The ads all say it can be moved from one vehicle to another. I do believe that a "breakaway system" is also required. Required or not I do plan on installing the breakaway system. My question is one of installing the breakaway system. Does one have to drill a hole in the firewall of the toad to install the breakaway system. I have a jeep and would also like some suggestions from other Jeep owners.

2000 Winnebago 35U
2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4 dr
5 yr old choc lab puppy

Route 66 · 01-25-2008, 03:03 PM

I have the Brake Buddy Vantage, and it is very easy to move. It sits on the floor, you connect the arm to the brake pedal, move the seat forward and plug it in the lighter socket.

The breakaway system is a wire from the unit through the firewall to the breakaway switch which is mounted on the front of your toad.

Sometimes the wire can be fed through an existing wiring hole in the firewall.

I hope you reconsider your decision not to use the breakaway feature, as it's an important safety feature.

Pusherman · 01-25-2008, 03:38 PM

I have the Even Brake, which is similar to the Brake Buddy. As Dirk has described, it requires a 2-conductor wire to be run from the breakaway switch on the front of the toad to the controller of the Even Brake inside the toad.

Easy install. Be sure to use the breakaway system.

paz · 01-26-2008, 02:43 AM

I think codgerbill said he IS planning to use a breakaway whether it is required or not.

I found a large rubber grommet in the firewall of our toad and I was able to run the breakaway wires through a hole that I was able to punch in the grommet with an awl. Since the hole was small, the rubber grommet sealed around the wires pretty well. If you end up drilling a hole, install your own grommet so the sharp metal edge doesn't wear through the wire insulation and cause a short somewhere down the road.

bdaball · 02-06-2008, 03:36 PM

In my phone call to BB today they said the 20' two conductor wire can be run most anywhere from the breakaway unit to the BB. Even under the hood, around the door post and in the side door if you could not find passage through the firewall. The breakaway unit comes with HD velcro and can be mounted directly inline with the hitch. Ideally behind the grill area.
I have no idea if this is correct, just what they told me. I am shopping as well. Thinking real hard about BB Vantage. If anyone disagrees I would appreciate someone correcting me.

bruceh · 02-07-2008, 07:25 AM

I installed my breakaway switch on my Jeep by attaching it with the tow hook bolt.

The wiring was pretty easy, just use the existing grommet through the firewall and force the first wire through. I used 12 ga since it is stiffer and easier to force through. I then used the first wire to pull the others.

I ran a third wire as the 'brake on' indicator so that I don't have to bother with the remote on both ends.

I also shielded the wires with spiral wrap.

retired2001 · 02-17-2008, 11:16 AM

When I changed out "toads", I just removed the "Break away" wiring from my old toad. I re-mounted it on the new one and ended up running the wires through the door opening, just have to make sure you don't pinch the wires. Good luck!

wallynm · 02-17-2008, 07:38 PM

I do not have a Jeep but do have a Suburban and a Mustang. I ran the wires for the brake away along the inside of the fender and then across the door jam which has a rubber seal into the cavity in front of the seat. To date have had no problems.

amy5708 · 02-18-2008, 04:04 AM

Don't have a BB, but a US tow brake. It's awesome; nothing to do but hook up the cord from the truck to the RV and takes about 15 seconds.

The downside is that I've had to replace the brakes on my jeep already, but that's because we use the jeep brakes for braking, less wear on the RV brakes. We figure the jeep's are cheaper