Community Forums

Dunnpe · 04-29-2010, 01:07 AM

I have a Brake buddy classic and am ready to tow a 2004 Honda Element 5 speed. My question is related to the pressure setting on the classic. Going by the weight of the vehicle I should set the pressure at 40-45 psi But The instruction say if the toad has power booster brake then set the psi at 20 psi. I am confused, the manual for the Element say it has a power assist brakes but without the motor running is the power assist brake actually working? Has anyone set their Brake buddy up under these conditions and if so what did you use. Also what is a common sensitivity setting for this type of tow set up.

GBinkley · 04-29-2010, 03:16 PM

I have a Brake Buddy for towing my 2009 Suzuki SX4. I use the PSI setting for manual brakes (40-45psi). This was recommended by the dealer that installed the tow bar.Since the engine is not running, there is no brake assist. I also took the toad to a truck scales to get an accurate weight. It was about 300 lbs more then I expected.

Indy Itasca · 04-29-2010, 08:44 PM

I tow a Honda Fit and I'm sure it is lighter than your car. I set the psi at 30 and the sensitivity at 3 lights. At the recommended 40 the breaks would lock and tires squeal. Just keep making small adjustments until you find numbers that work for you.

cj5 jeeper · 04-29-2010, 09:50 PM

When I install mine I cycle it several times to use the vaccume. Mine is adjusted to only come on with harder stops. I have read to many posts about people damageing their brakes on long hills, as they were set to come on with light applications.

ken_harry · 05-01-2010, 05:24 AM

I've got it set to 40 for my 2006 Element.

We tested for a while towing it behind my pickup in a parking lot and braking at various speeds and stopping conditions to see how that setting worked and it looks fine. The power assist only works when the engine is running.

Ken
Ken

Dunnpe · 05-01-2010, 12:50 PM

Thanks to all for the responses, I am going to start at 30 psi and sensitivity at 3 an see how that works and adjust after that to what I feel comfortable at

EddieMet · 05-09-2010, 03:06 PM

Peter,

The power assist will only work when the engine is running. Make sure that you press the test button 5 or 6 times AFTER you turn off the engine. That takes the power boost out of the break system. If you don't take the boost out, the Break Buddy will slam on the breaks, and you'll drag the car behind you. Guess how I learned that!!

I tow an Acura TL that weighs in about 3,500 pounds and I set the Break Buddy at about 50 psi and sensitivity on 4. No problems since I figured things out.

DeanLinAZ · 05-09-2010, 09:29 PM

I purchased a new Brake Buddy Classic aux brake system less than a year ago. When setting it up, you must cycle the "test button" 5 times before the Brake Buddy will let you set the "sensitivity" level light system. This is to assure that the power brake system on the toad is not active.

We tow a 2007 Jeep Wrangler, which weighs about 4000 lb. I set the pressure number to 50 and run the sensitivity at 3 lights showing. Seems to work well after towing about 10,000 miles.

Good luck.

Dunnpe · 05-10-2010, 08:58 AM

Just returned from an 800 mile trip which included interstate 5, City traffic, and the Grapevine (mountain pass) on I-5 both directions. Started the trip at 40psi w/3 sensitivity but did not have any response from BB unless I really slammed on the brakes (just to get a response). I went to 45 psi and 4 sensitvity and got the desired response. None with light braking but response with medium to hard braking. I am satified now with the settings. Thanks for all the responses to my questions and hope to have many good miles on the road.