Community Forums

Rodommoc · 07-26-2021, 09:41 AM

I was given a Brake Buddy DIGITAL CLASSIC about a year ago. I don't know when it was manufactured. I have not plugged it in yet to see if it even works. The brake piston looks good, there is no pitting or corrosion/rust on it. It slides in and out smoothly. It seems to be garage kept.

I just ordered the Alert system for it because my dog ate the old one; and the brake-away system for it. because it was missing the brake-away pin. I also ordered the battery maintainer so I can plug the Brake Buddy into my car's cigarette lighter plug.

I have a 2000 Adventurer 35U and will be flat towing a 2012 Subaru Forester 5speed manual.

Would you trust it just based on its age and not being used for a couple of years?

Thanks

Cousin Ed · 07-26-2021, 10:54 AM

Have somebody sit in the toad and try it at parking lot speed. We have been using the Brake Buddy for 20 years, with one repair.

Lowflyer1 · 07-28-2021, 07:07 AM

Does it build and hold the pressure? If so, it should be good.
Do you have a manual for it? If not, you can contact Brake Buddy. They e-mailed me the .pdf manual for it the same day:
https://www.brakebuddy.com/index.html#contact

I have even an older one I think, the analog model that must have been the original that came with the coach (2004?).
Mine however pushed the piston so rapidly in and out that the unit was jumping up and down. I had to use bungee cords to tie it to the front seat frame.
On our last trip it developed a leak and would not hold pressure. I cut the leaky air hose a bit shorter hoping to fix that. It worked for a day or two but then started leaking again, maybe a different hose and would not hold pressure.
So I ordered an RVibrake3 a month ago based on many recommendations. Still waiting to get that.

Fiesta48 · 07-28-2021, 07:38 AM

I repaired my old Brake Buddy Classic. The regulator bowl had a bad seal. 10 cent item. New regulator $50. But a lot cheaper than a new aux brake $1000.

MDPD · 07-31-2021, 01:05 PM

It is very simple to test the unit. Place it level on the passenger seat with the arm clear of the seat and go for a ride. As you brake, the arm will extend and retract just as if it was on the floor attached to the brake pedal. Don't get your hands or any body part in front of the arm as it extends fast and hard.

Lowflyer1 · 08-01-2021, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDPD

It is very simple to test the unit. Place it level on the passenger seat with the arm clear of the seat and go for a ride. As you brake, the arm will extend and retract just as if it was on the floor attached to the brake pedal. Don't get your hands or any body part in front of the arm as it extends fast and hard.

The BrakeBuddy Classic manual has this caption:
WARNING: Any time the towed vehicle’s engine has been started you must push the test button 5 times after shutting the towed vehicle’s engine off. This removes the vacuum out of the vehicle’s brake system. Failure to drain the towed vehicle’s brake vacuum will result in excessive tire wear.

With this test, you can also see if the unit works properly and stays in place.
The previous owner burned the brakes on his toad once. He thought that he had the seat too far forward but may have been this as well.

2cyber71 · 08-01-2021, 07:04 AM

I have a brake buddy I bought new in 2003.
Still works great.
I needed a replacement break away, found one for $70 in 2019

Unplanned Tourist · 08-01-2021, 07:19 AM

I like my old mechanical Brake Buddy.

I had to take it apart and lube the piston in the compressor, but other than that, it works fine and is dependable.

n2zon · 08-01-2021, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2cyber71

I have a brake buddy I bought new in 2003.
Still works great.
I needed a replacement break away, found one for $70 in 2019

Any breakaway switch that closes when the plug is pulled away will work. The cost on Amazon starts at about ten bucks:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=trailer+b...f=nb_sb_noss_1

Somehow, an extra (non-OEM) one came in the box with our BB. I carry it as a spare.