Community Forums

rmmpe · 01-22-2008, 03:19 AM

Does anybody have and use an "Even Brake"?
I haven't bought one yet but seriously looking at it for a Ford Edge.
Hints?
Clues?
Cautions?

rmmpe · 01-22-2008, 03:19 AM

Does anybody have and use an "Even Brake"?
I haven't bought one yet but seriously looking at it for a Ford Edge.
Hints?
Clues?
Cautions?

Pusherman · 01-22-2008, 05:04 AM

I've used one for about 2 years now. It works well. It does require installation for the breakaway switch and a line from the controller to the brake light switch.

I can install and test the system in less than 5 minutes before each trip.

Only downside is storing the box when you reach your location.

UFO Pilot · 01-22-2008, 09:35 AM

I have also been using the Even Brake for the last 2 years. I agree with everything in the above post.

rmmpe · 01-23-2008, 03:21 AM

The extra wire for the breakaway alert is good info. Fortunately, I have no trouble doing any type of electrical work/wiring so it should prove to be an easy job.
Thanks.

rmmpe · 01-24-2008, 03:03 AM

The Edge is now in the driveway (sure looks small next to the Alpine).
The Dealer we bought the Coach from is a Blue Ox dealer/installer and it looks like they'll be doing the job (we get an extra 10% discount because we bought the Alpine from them).

But, they sell the proportional Brake Buddy system, which they will sell to us for less than the Even-Brake unit. Soooooooo, comments (good or bad) regarding the Brake-Buddy will be most welcome. Real experience will give us a better idea than merely reading the Ad hype.

Please.
Thank you.

(See Mom, I remembered).

Route 66 · 01-24-2008, 03:54 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But, they sell the proportional Brake Buddy system </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just to clarify, the Brake Buddy is not proportional.

rmmpe · 01-24-2008, 06:56 AM

Although I really knew that, I stand corrected as mis-speaking. Good catch on that.

I have looked and searched but cannot find a viable comparison between the Brake Buddy Vantage and the Even Brake. I like the idea of proportional but don't like the idea of it operating when I am decelerating under the Pac-Brake alone or simply tapping the brakes to illuminate the lights. Is there a unit that is proportional that won't operate unless the Coach's brakes are used?

In short, I only want the Toad's brakes to operate when I am under a real braking situation.

So much info but difficult to sift through on the chance I'll find a pearl.

UFO Pilot · 01-24-2008, 07:18 AM

I have used the Even Brake for the past 2 years. I am not aware of it applying the toad brakes in the situations you describe. The braking light on the controller only lites up when I am actually applying the brakes. It may have to do with the sensitivity settings on mine.

Route 66 · 01-24-2008, 08:32 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I like the idea of proportional but don't like the idea of it operating when I am decelerating under the Pac-Brake alone or simply tapping the brakes to illuminate the lights. Is there a unit that is proportional that won't operate unless the Coach's brakes are used? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob, I don't know of any portable units that will do as you (and I) wish.

The Air Force One will only apply the toad's brakes when you apply the MH brakes, as it is activated by the MH's air brakes, but it is a permanently installed unit, and it is proportional.

AIR FORCE ONE

rmmpe · 01-24-2008, 08:54 AM

Rt 66,
I've been looking at the Brake Buddy Vantage as well. It has 2 adjustments; 1 = Sensitivity, the other air pressure. The sensitivity can be adjusted from the Coach and I believe, if set right, the Toad brakes can be made to come on at a chosen rate. But, there doesn't seem to be much mention of variation of the Toad's braking severity under different braking situations. Sure wouldn't be good to have the Toad brakes go to a panic-stop mode under moderate Coach braking. Or to be too little when really needing hard braking.

I'm now starting to wonder of there is a way to set-up the Even-Brake in such a way as to have it ignore small inputs, as from the Pac-Brake deceleration and/or tapping on the brakes to flash the brake lights (I'm not above getting into the control circuits).

Obviously, more research is needed.

Thanks for the input, which shall be added to the overall picture.

Route 66 · 01-24-2008, 09:08 AM

I have the Brake Buddy Vantage, and I have it set for panic or very hard stops only.

The Brake Buddy braking is on or off. There is no partial or variation in the braking force.

I had a friend ride in the passenger's seat of the toad as I drove through a parking lot about 20 MPH and hit the MH brakes. He verified the Brake Buddy did activate, as did the remote in the MH.

rmmpe · 01-24-2008, 09:28 AM

The problems I'm really concerned with are that the Toad brakes may lock up under severe braking conditions, allowing the car so skid out of line with the Coach, binding and possibly breaking the tow bar, etc.
The other is that when really needed, the brakes may not come on strong enough, also possibly putting too much strain on the tow-bar, etc.

Again, all info is appreciated and will be used to make the final determination.

Pusherman · 01-24-2008, 10:02 AM

If you adjust the sensitivity to 'Low' on the Even brake, it will not actuate the toad brakes under exhaust braking or even light braking from the coach. There is no correlation to toad brake actuation and illuminating the brake lights on the coach as it is an inertia sensing system.

I have a monitor in the coach, and the toad brakes do not actuate until 'significant' braking, such as coming upon a stop rapidly.

I let the coach do 75% of the braking and the Even Brake kicks in when I have to stop faster.

Most of the time, it doesn't actuate, as I like to creep up to stop signs and red lights, etc. letting the engine brake do most of the work.