Selecting right brake buddy system

[Excursion04]

I am getting ready to switch over from using tow dolly to find a right car to flat tow. Have been researching for right, looks like there many options and thanks for your recommendations. My next step after selection the right car is the right braking system.
I have a 2004 Fleetwood Excursion with diesel engine. I have heard with diesel engine and air braking system I don't need a separate brake system (brake buddy). Is this true? if it is how does it work?
If it is not true, how do I go about selecting the right buddy system. My tow car may be Jeep, or ford focus.

Thanks

[JRPA]

To be legal, you will need to have some kind of braking system for your toad. We went 8 years without one on our Jeep Grand Cherokee but just recently purchased the "RVi brake" (little over a grand) just to be legal. I can't tell any difference in the braking distance or time but almost every state requires brakes on anything you tow weighing over a couple thousand pounds.

Many use either their electrical or air system from their Coach to activate the actual brakes in the tow vehicle and that is probably the best and easiest way to go but it cost more and you would have to have your next tow vehicle converted for that system to work with it.

With a "RVi brake" (or brake buddy) you can easily move it to any car you are towing and it's hooked up in about 1 minute. I think the RVi brake is easier and better but neither of them really are that efficient in my opinion they just get you legal. I have seen brake buddy on craigs list for around $500

Good Luck in your decision on what to go with.

Bob

[jhaig99]

There are lots of supplemental braking systems out there. Some tap into your air brakes and use that to brake the tow. Others (like mine) are placed between the brake peddle and the drivers seat. We have the Patriot. If I had to replace mine, I would consider the new DeltaForce by AirForceOne as it is smaller. I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback on this topic. My Patriot only required the breakaway switch to be mounted and the plugin wire to be run into the tow for plugging into the Patriot.
Some systems require a more involved installation.

[KiheiKen]

I took the easy way because I'm basically lazy. I bought a Brakemaster by Roadmaster for two reasons. First, my neighbor had one so I figured he could help me with mine if I ever had an issue. Second, the sales guy said it's mechanical and unlike the newer electronic systems they just seem to work and have less technical issues. Of course you need to have it plumbed into your coach air system.


KiheiKen
2003 Country Coach Allure
2008 Ford Edge

[gruelens]

I would encourage you to use the search window at the top of each page. This will reveal a lot of previous discussion on mandatory braking systems. Short answer .... get one, use it, have fun.