Brakemaster 9000

[adamson]

I'm curious to see what everyone thinks of the Brakemaster 9000.
Pro's and con's

Thanks...................

[Mr_D]

I have it, works well even on ice and snow. Will lock up the toads brakes if necessary. I've had it on two rigs so far. I did the installs myself.

[Hikerdogs]

We have used the 9060 (the version for gas motorhomes) to stop our Jeep Wrangler for 7 years and over 65,000 miles. The only difference is the 9000 uses air from the coaches compressor while the 9060 has it's own dedicated compressor.

The system works great in that it provides true proportional braking. It's easy to hook up and unhook since there is only 1 quick connector for the air and 1 wire for the in dash monitor. It's a great trouble free system.

[adamson]

Thanks, I bought a used tow bar and they included the 9000 with the tow bar. The 9000 had never been installed.
Iplan to use it after reading your responses.

Thanks again..

[Luckiest Dre]

Mine works as designed!

[Vegasdan]

Ours works very well, used it on 2 of our Jeeps.

[Gary RVRoamer]

5 years and 40k miles on ours.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs It's a great trouble free system.

Unless the dash light has quit working like mine. I haven't taken the time to troubleshoot it since I can feel it working.

[chasfm11]

7 years and 35K miles on ours without any problem. I test the breakaway feature several times a year and even that works great.

I installed the system on our original toad and then moved it to the new one. For me, it is a simple design which is easily maintained.

Specific to your request:

Pros
1. Relatively easy to install yourself if you are handy around vehicles
2. Is very easy to set up and take down on each use.
3. Definitely works. I can tell the difference when it is on and not and that has to translate into stopping power in a panic stop - the reason that I bought it in the first place
4. Isn't intrusive into the toad's mechanics. The only exception is connecting a wire to the cold side of the toad's brake pedal switch to light up the indicator on the MH dash.
5. Requires no adjustments.
6. Will not brake on its own. The brakes only come on when I step on the MH brake. That means it will not wear out the toad brakes, trying to keep up with the MH exhaust brake.

Cons
1. There is piston to be removed and installed as part of the toad hookup. Some others, which modify the toad's brake system, don't need that piston

[adamson]

Thanks, that's great information..................

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfm11 6. Will not brake on its own. The brakes only come on when I step on the MH brake. That means it will not wear out the toad brakes, trying to keep up with the MH exhaust brake. Cons 1. There is piston to be removed and installed as part of the toad hookup. Some others, which modify the toad's brake system, don't need that piston

Well, just remember to leave the parking brake off when towing!!

I have the optional seat bracket to I didn't have to drill through the bottom of the Ody.

[chasfm11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Well, just remember to leave the parking brake off when towing!! I have the optional seat bracket to I didn't have to drill through the bottom of the Ody.

It is funny that you say that. I did leave the parking brake set on the toad on our first long trip after we bought the RV. I was dragging the toad through the CG (fortunately all dirt and not far) when a number of people waved at me and I knew something was wrong.

I, too, have a seat bracket that is used as an anchor point for the back end of the piston. My point on the Cons list about the piston is that it does have to be mounted every time. It is an extra step that some of the other makers don't have, though I prefer to mount the piston rather than cut into the toad's brake system for something else that is permanently mounted.