Looking for opinions on toad braking system for our DX3

jedelman · 03-17-2018, 11:17 AM

We are towing a Jeep Wrangler (4door-unlimited) & currently use the Brake Buddy. It’s cumbersome to setup & use and we think the brake comes on more often than it should (even on the lowest setting)
Looking for advice on the best braking system for towed vehicles.
Thanks!

kenandterry · 03-17-2018, 11:25 AM

Let the games begin!!!

because everyone is going to tell you the best one is the one they

kenandterry · 03-17-2018, 11:26 AM

...have

hook47 · 03-17-2018, 12:10 PM

Yep, mine is the best. 'Course it is the only one I have ever had. So, I have the RVi system. Comes with a large tablet and repeater (BlueTooth / WiFi..don't remember). Very easy and quick to set up in my 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Works well. Tablet shows when brakes are activated, can add TPMS system to monitor RV & towed vehicle.

Wonderful tech support. Had a couple of questions about set up and sent pictures and had a quick response. The floor pan in the JGC doesn't have a very good lip for the unit to butt up against so I screwed a short piece of angle iron to form a better back stop. Sent pics of my setup and they said it was fine and suggested removing floor mat to give better grip.

Has worked great since day one.

RudysWorld · 03-17-2018, 01:10 PM

I use roadmaster, I will try to attach photo. Easy to set up to tow. I had installed. One thing that I found was to pump brakes on toad after turning off ignition. With the power assisted brakes it kept some of that power assist in brake system and if I would not pump brakes to relieve pressure from system it would brake too hard. These are not technical terms for the braking system of the toad, I am sure someone can and will correct my terminology. Good Luck!

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sailski · 03-17-2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedelman

We are towing a Jeep Wrangler (4door-unlimited) & currently use the Brake Buddy. It’s cumbersome to setup & use and we think the brake comes on more often than it should (even on the lowest setting)
Looking for advice on the best braking system for towed vehicles.
Thanks!

The only one I ever had is the STI Stay N Play Duo. No set-up necessary. Just flip a couple of switches and it's good to go. Proportional activation is by both brake lights and decelerationl. 19,000 miles so far coast to coast. Power brakes are activated too. Much better than the brake in a box systems sitting on the floor IMHO.

RV Randy · 03-17-2018, 01:21 PM

I use the RVi brake on my 4 door rubicon/wrangler. Simple & quick to put in (5 minutes tops) once the initial install is done. I also had the small charger installed that automatically keeps the toad vehicle charged when the tow bar is put in place.

The RVi system should fit nicely in the wrangler foot well with no modification. You snap the arm clip over the brake pedal, plug the pre-installed cord into the unit and press the start button. The unit talks to you and tells you what to do, which is essentially push the same button 2 more times. This cycles the brake pedal arm to pump the brakes to eliminate any vacuum still in the brake booster. Then you are ready to go. My criteria was the same as yours: quick & simple to put in and reliable operation.

It also allows you to adjust the sensitivity or boost the unit provides based on what type of vehicle you are towing.

tdemeyer1 · 03-17-2018, 01:21 PM

Well we too have the DX3 and tow a Jeep cherokee trailhawk. We also used the brake buddy and the last trip just didn't use it. It did fine without it. Now a lot of you may think that is not good but we went up and down some mountains in Northern AZ and had no trouble. With the brake buddy the power has to be on all the time and some other RVer's said it was hard on the tow cars brakes and had some issues. So that is our experience.

halla · 03-17-2018, 01:44 PM

Rvi brake 3. Love it, but as noted earlier, it is the only one I have used, so I cannot offer an opinion on what is best. I like the RVi because it also use the tablet it comes with for the tire patrol monitor.

hook47 · 03-17-2018, 01:44 PM

As an add on to my original post, I modified the ashtray and bolted on the tablet magnetic holder to put it in easy reach and basically out of the way.

milkman55 · 03-17-2018, 02:19 PM

I have the Stay N Play Duo which is for non-air brakes, but with your rig the SMI Air Force 1 is basically the same system but for air brakes.

I like the permenant install, completely out of sight, flip a switch and immediate proportional brakes with vacuum assist.

dahagen · 03-17-2018, 03:06 PM

I have the RVi and love it. Did have the Roadmaster but it failed, had it fixed for $300 and then it failed again. Threw it away. It was big and bulky. A few friends have the Break Buddy and like the size and easy installation of mine. Wife installs it while I hook up tow bar. She could not handle the Roadmaster unit.

joet19711 · 03-17-2018, 03:27 PM

I have the RVI2, only one I have ever used, I have had it for three years, it is quick, easy, simple to use. It has wireless monitor that plugs in to a power port, you can watch when breaks are applied and you can adjust for what you want.

rvfriendly · 03-17-2018, 03:37 PM

I have an SMI system. Had an RVi 2. Built in very easy to use.

Awilson · 03-17-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman55

I have the Stay N Play Duo which is for non-air brakes, but with your rig the SMI Air Force 1 is basically the same system but for air brakes.

I like the permenant install, completely out of sight, flip a switch and immediate proportional brakes with vacuum assist.

I don’t have the pusher anymore you are right. This is a great system and it is permanent and works every time.

conceptumator · 03-17-2018, 05:17 PM

I’ve used the Invisibrake in our Wrangler since 2015 and had zero ptoblems. There’s a video on their website to show you how to install it under the driver seat - out of site completely and all you have to do is plug the toad into the trailer plug on the coach. Love it!

AquaMan · 03-17-2018, 05:27 PM

I use the autostop from Blue Ox. About $300 and works like a surge brake system. All mechanical and have never had a problem.

CZNEDY · 03-17-2018, 05:39 PM

I have the blue ox similar to brake buddy. Doesn't ever seem to come on most of the time. Maybe I just drive slow. They all work good. Just a matter of opinion. Sometimes, on short trips I don't even take it

cariboo camper · 03-17-2018, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conceptumator

I’ve used the Invisibrake in our Wrangler since 2015 and had zero ptoblems. There’s a video on their website to show you how to install it under the driver seat - out of site completely and all you have to do is plug the toad into the trailer plug on the coach. Love it!

X2 unit can be adjusted for braking power to toad also. No problems so far.

Vince and Charlette · 03-17-2018, 08:12 PM

Whatever you do, get a permanently installed system and save lots of hassle. I have had two four-wheel lockup’s with the Brake Buddy, plus, it actuated slowly, is cumbersome to set up/take out, has to be stored somewhere and is difficult to get an acceptable fit. I happen to have the SMI Stay-in-Play. Just flip one switch and I’m on my way.

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