Brake Buddy Problem

[Shelia W.]

Well we picked up a Brake Buddy unit when we picked up our new MH in Dec. The RV store rep was to have the unit wired correctly. Fast forward - raining hard when we left so we didn't hook up toad (2008 CRV) to MH until out of town and no rain. Put the Brake Buddy in place after hooking up toad as instructed. Drove about 10 miles and stopped to check system. Brakes very hot. Took off Brake Buddy. Arrived at home several states over and found out $800 damage to our CRV brake system. Check with RV Store rep said we needed to contact Brake Buddy. Brake Buddy was contacted and we sent unit back for review. They didn't find anything wrong and sent a new unit back to us. Haven't tried it as of yet. Can't afford another $800 bill. How does one get either the RV Store to pay for the repair bill or Brake Buddy?

[Gary RVRoamer]

Most likely the unit was not set up or hooked up properly, which could be your fault or the dealer's. Pretty hard to say after the fact and I doubt if you will get anybody else to pay without some evidence of what went wrong.

One possibility is that the sensitivity was set wrong for your CRV.

Follow the instructions in the manual carefully and use the Test button to verify all is ok. Also check the car's brake lights before driving off, to make sure they are not on.

If you do not have the manual, you can download it HERE

[Beabop]

We had a friend who did not hit the test button several times to bleed the toads vacuum on the brakes and to check for play, the brakes were locking and ruined his toads tires and brakes. If you have the remote alert on your BB, it should have lit up if brake was deployed. We have towed 3 vehicles 100,000 with no problems. Good Luck

[ronmc]

Same thing happened my first time,locked Toad brakes and jerked RV.I also then read directions more closely. Sure enough you must press "test" button four or times to bleed off power brakes.

[Stevegd007]

Shelia W. you did not say if you did the test to bleed off the brakes. I have used the Brake Buddy for 5 years now and have towed our car for over 20000 miles with not a single problem with the Break Buddy. I would check to see if the unit was installed by the dealer correctly.

I have done a few panic/brake smashes cause of bad drivers ahead of me and the toad brakes worked as they should have.

[Shelia W.]

Thanks everyone for your reply and suggestions. I can't answer if #1 hubby did all the things suggested but will forward to him your comments.

I'll let you know what I find out.

Have a great day!

[JCM]

The setup instructions are right on the side of the unit. You must test the unit 3-5 times to bleed the vacume booster in the car or the brakes will lock up when the brake budy activates.