Community Forums

VestaDave · 10-09-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdlcrazier

readybrake appears to be an effective, reliable yet simple design. the only thing is - on a long slope down, it brakes entire time, thus the brakes will wear quickly - a small cost but worth it. additionally, power assistance will be unavailable.

Not true. The brakes do not apply unless you brake the MH. I've towed with the Readybrake for thousands of miles and have had no problems with toad brake wear.

Wizard · 10-09-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VestaDave

Not true. The brakes do not apply unless you brake the MH. I've towed with the Readybrake for thousands of miles and have had no problems with toad brake wear.

Agree, I have mine set with just a little slack in the cable to prevent this. The indicator light on the dash will come on going down a steep hill but not necessarily the toad brakes. I rigged a brake light from toad brake light to lay on the dash of the toad that I could see in the rear camera view and adjusted the cable slack accordingly. Lot of miles on my toad with no brake problems.

ahicks · 10-09-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdlcrazier

readybrake appears to be an effective, reliable yet simple design. the only thing is - on a long slope down, it brakes entire time, thus the brakes will wear quickly - a small cost but worth it. additionally, power assistance will be unavailable.

Where did this (mis)information come from? The Ready Brake works the same as any other surge brake system - including the ones used on car dollies. To keep what you're talking about from happening, the momentum has to overcome a spring that's there just for this purpose!

Power assistance isn't necessary. There's plenty of momentum stored up in a moving vehicle (toad). It will use enough of that to energize the brakes easily....

**CountryFit** · 10-10-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahicks

Where did this (mis)information come from? The Ready Brake works the same as any other surge brake system - including the ones used on car dollies. To keep what you're talking about from happening, the momentum has to overcome a spring that's there just for this purpose!

Power assistance isn't necessary. There's plenty of momentum stored up in a moving vehicle (toad). It will use enough of that to energize the brakes easily....

Gotcha, i stand corrected.

DriVer · 10-10-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

Our choice was the SMI Air Force One since the diesel uses air brakes and the Air Force One system uses air to apply proportional braking. With this system, there is no "brake box" to install/remove in the towed vehicle. Just connect, and drive away. Best of luck with whichever system you choose!

I agree. SMI products apply auxiliary braking power under the same conditions as if you were sitting in the vehicle and normally applying the brakes.

The brakes are applied using pedal pressure through a vacuum in the brake booster. The system is totally proportional, invisible and out of sight and mind until you plug in an umbilical cord. The Air Force 1/ S&P DUO as far as I know is the only auxiliary brake that has DOT certification.

I am indeed happy that I no longer have to deal with brake-in-a-box which in quite a few instances required me to remove it while it was pouring. A secondary benefit is that I can sit in the vehicle and run it during lunch breaks without having to straddle a box. Again, moving and storing the box, no longer required.