Supplemental brake system for tow car

[rwbed1]

I recently purchased a Roadmaster Add-A-Brake from Camping World, as that is the only one they offered and told me it is the best. Well, I do not think so. What else is better and where can I get it?

[Dadeaux]

I use the Ready-Brake, it is essentially a surge brake, simple and effective and will not over-brake.

[Triker56]

Roadmaster BrakeMaster air system is also sold by Camping World.
Maybe you can get a exchange. It is cheaper then the Add-A-Brake.
Installation is more $$ and makes it about even on price.

[WindsorDave]

I use a Brake Buddy Vantage which appears to be close to your Add-A-Brake in format and configuration. I admit that it's a little hinky to hook up and then you have to store it when not in use.

Some day when I have nothing better to spend money on we may look into one of the proportional units actuated by the coach's brake air supply.

FWIW

[Elf]

I'll second the Ready Brake system. No box to put in/take out. Simple, mechanical system and lower cost.

[Hikerdogs]

I'm not sure which Roadmaster braking system you're talking abot. The ones listed on the Roadmaster website (www.roadmasterinc.com) are as follows in order from the most sophisticated to the least.


Invisibrake: Automatic progressive system that can be used on vehicles with "active braking systems"

Brakemaster: 9060 for hydraulic brakes, 9100 for air or air over hydralic brakes. There are a cuople variations of each with and without breakaway systems.

Evenbrake: "brake in the box system" with proportional braking.

9700: "brake in the box system" with 3 preset braking levels.

We use the Brakemaster 9060 because we have a gas powered coach with hydraulic brakes. It's a truely proportional system in that the brakes in the towed vehicle are applied at the same rate as those in the motorhome. It's a great system and takes only a few seconds to connect and disconnect.

One reason we chose this system is that the activating cylinder is relatively small (compared to a "brake in the box system"). It doesn't take up much storage room when not in use, which is important when you drive a Jeep Wrangler TJ. Another reason is that the plumbing on the compressor can be modified to use the compressor for inflating items including tires.

The compressor and proportioning valve are permanently monted in the motorhome. The activating cylinder is mounted in the towed car only wjen the system is in use.

If we had it to do all over again we would purchase the same system. It's dpendable, versatile, and easy to use. The initial installation takes a while, but it's time well spent.

ON EDIT: I looked up the 8800 Add a Brake system and it appears to be an obsolete (as in no longer in the current prodct lineup) version of the 9700 braking system. If I'm correct that would make it on the low end of the prodct lineup with all others available being more sophisticated.

[Campingman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elf I'll second the Ready Brake system. No box to put in/take out. Simple, mechanical system and lower cost.

Roger that. Works well on my Wrangler.

[macadnphyl]

Check out SMI, their Stay-in-Play Duo is a hidden, permanent install, so
all you have to do is flip a switch and away you go. Simple and effective.

[dashdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campingman Roger that. Works well on my Wrangler.

And on mine too.

[scenic route]

Quote:

Originally Posted by macadnphyl Check out SMI, their Stay-in-Play Duo is a hidden, permanent install, so all you have to do is flip a switch and away you go. Simple and effective.

X2. Happy with our Duo in 24K of towing. Bob

[deandec]

I like the Brake Buddy. It allows me to continue to choose which of my two cars to tow.

[lavamanz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campingman Roger that. Works well on my Wrangler.

I also like the Readybrake, I use it to tow my 05 Chevy Colorado 4X4. It is so easy to tow with the Blue Ox hitch and Readybrake combination with the surge braking. I like using things that aren't to complicated that meet the requirements KISS.

[Mr_D]

We have the RoadMaster BrakeMaster 9100. I installed it myself and it works very well.

[ctpres]

? X. Lost count of votes for ready brake. About 15,000 miles and no problem. $600 and small change to rig our wrangler for towing. Thats brake, lights and tow bar. DIY easy for old man/me. If i had do-over, would have the towbar with integrated brake "ready brute" vs seperate brake and towbar. One day I will modify dash light to work when toad brake switch activated vs just ready brake. We don't even remove tow bar to use Jeep anymore. Just bungee it up to grill and drive - looks cool to. Well at least we get a lot of lookers. Got ours direct from Night Shift Auto