Community Forums

davidceder · 06-17-2020, 01:10 PM

I own my rig a little over a year and have decided to add a supplemental braking system for the toad. I know there is a lot of discussion about whether a toad needs a braking system by law and some of the state law is ambiguous in the definition of a towed vehicle. That said the federal description is fairly clear. I guess all that does not matter to me. I am not willing to risk my assets or future on a slick attorney in a court of law if anything should ever happen. I also hear a braking system is mandatory in Canada.

Since I am fairly new to all this I would like some recommendations on a braking system. My main area of concern is “ease of use”. I am not getting any younger and want to make it as easy as possible to use. There is enough to do when setting up or tearing down. I am willing to spend a few bucks extra to make it reliable and simple. I am towing a 2014 CRV with a weight of 3540 lbs on a RoadMaster All-Terrain tow bar. I plan on having the system professionally installed.

Any help appreciated.

medpro · 06-17-2020, 01:34 PM

I have had various braking systems in different toads over the years. Got tired of paying a $1000 to $1500 every time I changed vehicles. I tow a 2014 Honda CRV and use the portable RVI Brake and have had no problems and it includes tire monitoring.

AZ RV'r · 06-17-2020, 01:46 PM

I also use and have the RVI 3 and have added the toad, battery charger / monitor, and the tire pressure monitoring systems that cover the coach and the toad.... but they are not included... there is an additional cost for these ad-on's... but they work seamlessly with the system. If something would happen I would definitely buy the RVI again.

UFO Pilot · 06-17-2020, 02:00 PM

SMI Stay-in-Play for Coach's without air. Plug in the lights and you are ready to go. Expect to pay up to $1500 installed depending on the labor rate where you live.

MSHappyCampers · 06-17-2020, 02:05 PM

We use the NSA ReadyBrake system. It's simple, effective, and the lowest cost system out there. The lifetime warranty is another plus!

PetesMH · 06-17-2020, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot

SMI Stay-in-Play for Coach's without air. Plug in the lights and you are ready to go. Expect to pay up to $1500 installed depending on the labor rate where you live.

X2 on the Stay in Play. Just flip a switch any you’re good to go. No set up or unit to store between trips. It is an actual proportional system too which many are not. I did the installation myself and the instructions are very clear and easy to follow. It took me about three hours. I think I could remove it quickly if I ever need to move it to a different toad.

ExRiveter · 06-17-2020, 03:10 PM

I’m facing the same decision as you. After a lot of research I decided that the best system if I planned to keep the toad a while was the Air Force 1. If there was a chance I’ll trade in my current toad, I thought the RVI Brake 3 was the best choice. Since my toad is a 2013 Grand Cherokee, I opted for the RVI.
Good luck to you!
Bob

zman62 · 06-17-2020, 03:46 PM

Having had a few of the big name systems I have found the RVI system to be the best for me. Its nice because you can switch toads and its a non event.

n2zon · 06-17-2020, 03:56 PM

We got an insanely good deal on a Brake Buddy, so that's what we use. It's not hard to set up or remove, particularly for a CR-V, which is what we've got. I leave it set on "not too sensitive" to save the toad battery but still provide emergency stop help and breakaway safety.

sgwyble · 06-17-2020, 04:07 PM

I use the RVI3, love the brake. Compact size and easy to setup. Not real fond of the tablet. Tablet does not really matter, brakes work with or without the tablet. It only notifies you of brake activity.

Regulations are not ambiguous. While the weight varies according to your home state in general if your toad is above 3,000 lbs a brake is required. See link for state by state regs.

https://rvibrake.com/pages/flat-towing-law

Skiddy · 06-17-2020, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

We use the NSA ReadyBrake system. It's simple, effective, and the lowest cost system out there. The lifetime warranty is another plus!

just got this myself, haven't hooked it up yet. I have heard good things about it and a simple design.

2Newsomes · 06-17-2020, 05:02 PM

We use the RVI3.

YC1 · 06-17-2020, 05:42 PM

Used two different "electronic" ones in the past. Neither were satisfactory.

Ready Brake on the new toad. F150. Easy enough install and when hooking up it takes very little time. Works great and is smooth as heck. Does not run down the battery either.