Community Forums

two sailors · 12-22-2006, 01:20 PM

I have see an add on system for brakes, some kind of check valve or cylinder that is supposed to improve braking performance. Anybody have any experince with this or is it another sales gimick?

two sailors · 12-22-2006, 01:20 PM

I have see an add on system for brakes, some kind of check valve or cylinder that is supposed to improve braking performance. Anybody have any experince with this or is it another sales gimick?

Gary RVRoamer · 12-22-2006, 04:18 PM

Could you elaborate a bit more? Is it for motorhome brakes, trailer brakes, towed car (auxiliary) brakes, tow vehicle brakes??? Is this a modification of some kind to a factory brake system or a brake system that is somehow added to what already exists?

two sailors · 12-24-2006, 08:37 PM

I wish I could be more specific. There have been seminar's on brakes at different rv parks and I am assuming they are related to the same equipment. Suppose to improve braking and add life to brake pads.
Brad

two sailors · 12-24-2006, 08:38 PM

I am speaking of Motor home brakes

Gary RVRoamer · 12-25-2006, 04:57 AM

Usually they are talking about auxiliary brakes for cars towed behind motorhomes. These units apply the car brakes, so that the motorhome brakes don't have to stop both motorhome and car. In fact, many motorhome chassis manufacturers now state that such brakes are required if the towed vehicle weighs over 1500 lbs or so.

An auxiliary brake does save wear and tear on the motorhome brakes and also help stop the rig more quickly. One test (by Roadmaster, using one of their brake products)showed about a 30% reduction in stopping distance. Of course, that applies only when a car is being towed - there is no effect otherwise.

I'm not aware of any product that simply makes a motorhome stop better by itself.

Roland · 12-25-2006, 05:00 AM

two sailors,

If the system is called "Brake Guard" it consisted of two cylinders about four inches long. Mine were mounted one on front brake line and the other on the rear, over the axle. If I remember correctly they were charged with compressed air. I think they were about a $300 warm fuzzy (back in '97). Don't know if they worked or not. Never hit anything while I had them -- But I read somewhere on the net that they didn't realy work.

Green Lights and Soft Breezes

TXiceman · 12-25-2006, 11:30 AM

The Brake Guard does not do much of anything except get your hard earned $$$$ out of your pocket and into the manufacturers. My vote is ...Snake Oil.

Ken

mrschwarz · 12-26-2006, 04:15 AM

While I cannot comment on the engineering of the product, thinking about the concept has me very skepical.

The device is a hydraulic accumulator. These are the same devices that are used in ABSs. I cannot see how the introduction of another one would do anything. As far as transients introduced into the hydraulic system, if there were periods of time where the friction material was not in contact with the drum or rotor for long enough to be meaningful, an accumulator is not going to do anything. If it were me, I would spend my money replacing the drums or rotors.

If another accumulator would reduce stopping distance, like they claim, wouldn't the OEMs use it so they could downsize (reduce cost and weight) vehicle's brakes?

Someone above said it best: mechanical snake oil.

two sailors · 12-28-2006, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the info. on Brake guard. That is the item I was curious about. I'll save my money.
Brad

DriVer · 12-28-2006, 01:27 PM

The Brake-Guard vendor is usually working the same events that I go to and he seems like a nice guy. He has a seminar regarding the product that I did not attend since I'm usually too busy however the product has helped owners of some P Series motorhomes stop quicker however I don't have any scientific proof in support of Brake Guard.

For more information see the website. Brake-Guard

TXiceman · 12-28-2006, 04:34 PM

michael schwarz and DriVer,

I had spoken to him several years ago and he sent some info on the product as he was trying to find some RVers with motorhomes to market his product for him. The mechanical engineer in me looked it all over and I could see not real reason to ask people to spend the money on the device. I don't see that it would hurt the braking system, bit I do not see that it will be a help.

But as DriVer said, he is a really nice fellow and very devoted to his product.

Ken

Ken