What is best Toad brake controller?

[ckabrahamson]

Just bought a new Toad yesterday. Getting it prepped to be pulled behind my coach. I currently have a Brake Buddy, but I really want to upgrade to something that is always installed in the Toad. I just want to hookup an go...

So, in your all's experience, what is the best "hidden" brake controller? It's a heavy toad. I'm pulling a 2015 Yukon XL with a 2015 Charleston 430BH. I would really like something that will let me know if there's a problem while I'm driving the coach...

Thanks!!!
Carl

[florabama]

Don't know about "best" but I pulled a 2005 Canyon over 30,000 miles with a SMI Stay-N-Play and it worked great. Sold the Canyon last week and still have the brake unit not knowing what to do with it since I'm moving to a fifth wheel.
But I would recommend a vacuum assist type brake.

[CA Fisherman]

I have the SMI Stay-IN-Play Duo and it works perfectly. It even lights a red LED light on my MH dashboard when it applies the TOAD brakes. I like the fact it is "permanently" installed and I do not have to hook up nor remove anything in the driver area.

[JimOneil43]

We just picked up our new Forester MH in Ohio and drove back to Oregon, about 2800 miles, and the SMI Stay-in-Play Duo brake system we had installed in our Honda CR-V, worked perfectly. The only thing is it was kind of hard seeing the indicator light in our rear view camera that was mounted on the tow bar cross arm. Can you get a wireless indicator light that mounts on the motorhome dash?

[CA Fisherman]

JimOneil43 Yes they do offer a wireless adapter to enable the indicator light to be in the dashboard area of a motorhome. I did not want to pay the extra money for the wireless unit (part #99955 $199.95) so I extended the circuit for the small LED light bar that comes with the unit so that I could mount in under my dashboard. I connected to power wire for the LED bar to the blue wire that comes from the Stay-N-Play Operating Unit (which is under my TOAD driver seat). When the brake system is activated I see a red glow on my feet. Works perfectly for me. I was able to wire everything through the umbilical cord from my Smart Car to my Georgetown so I only have one "cable" to connect.

Good luck!

[conceptumator]

Personal preference seems to be a lot of "what's the best" on these units, but after doing research for one for my Wrangler Unlimited, I settled on the Invisibrake. Got it on Amazon for about $100 less than the least expensive of the other systems. Have had it for a year and 10K miles and love it. It does install permanently (mine's under the front seat of the Jeep) but that just means I don't have to take it in and out and don't need a place to store it when using the toad. A buddy of mine that owns a garage installed it for me as I'm getting a little too old and fat to crawl around like I used to. Including installation of the base plate, light kit and the Invisibrake, he was completely done in around 4-1/2 hours. At least give it a look, but personal preference is what should push your final decision.

[Dc8mdtmech]

Invisibrake in the Honda Element behind the 2013 Georgetown XL works perfect period. Camping World, Hanover, Pa did the install. Clean, and haven't touched a control since the tech installed it.

[fredhardy]

I use the Invisibrake on my 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4X4. Once installed under the seat, it never has to be touched again. Excellent product.

Regards,

[Living_The_Dream]

What are you all using to ensure the Toad battery stays up?

[conceptumator]

The Invisibrake has a built-in trickle charge to keep the battery up. We just tow with the coach's headlights on and it takes care of it. With the Jeep, you don't pull any fuses, etc. Steering column us not locked, either. Just out the transfer case in neutral, transmission in park and release the emergency brake.

[Living_The_Dream]

Thats great! I see an invisibrake in my future. We are towing a Honda CRV and using a Blue Ox BRK2012. I ordered the hopkins battery maintainer just now in hopes it does the job.

[fredhardy]

I have a set of Blue Ox

[Living_The_Dream]

Did my first day pulling the CRV with the Blue OX. Only time the unit was pushing the brake was when I was more aggressive braking. I doubt it will pull enough juice to run the battery down but will keep an eye on it for now and maybe install the battery maintainer if needed.