Towed braking system

caseymyers · 02-15-2019, 11:07 AM

I've used a Brake Buddy for years. I want to move to either a simple mechanical system (NSA Ready Brake) or something built in like the Roadmaster or SMI. Opinions? Experience with these? Thanks.

a. Roadmaster 8700 Invisibrake Hidden Braking System

b. SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional

c. ReadyBrake RB-4000 Towed Vehicle Receiver Style

I5PhilGa · 02-15-2019, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseymyers

I've used a Brake Buddy for years. I want to move to either a simple mechanical system (NSA Ready Brake) or something built in like the Roadmaster or SMI. Opinions? Experience with these? Thanks.

a. Roadmaster 8700 Invisibrake Hidden Braking System

b. SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System - Proportional

c. ReadyBrake RB-4000 Towed Vehicle Receiver Style

Casey, I researched two of those but finally purchased an RVI Brake 3. It has a tablet and a "hub" that communicates with the brake controller and the tablet. I plan on adding the TPMS module to it soon. They have great customer service including technical support. I have two vehicles that I can tow and you can even change the sensitivity from the tablet as well as test the brakes on the towed vehicle.

4XGLMPR · 02-15-2019, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I5PhilGa

Casey, I researched two of those but finally purchased an RVI Brake 3. It has a tablet and a "hub" that communicates with the brake controller and the tablet. I plan on adding the TPMS module to it soon. They have great customer service including technical support. I have two vehicles that I can tow and you can even change the sensitivity from the tablet as well as test the brakes on the towed vehicle.

I agree with the RVI Brake system. It was simple to set up and stores in its bag when we get to our camp site. I purchased the TPMS systems and can see each individual tire pressure on both my RV and Jeep on the tablet provided. You can set minimum and max pressure alerts as well. Casey you might look into this system. Feel free to call me if you like.

Paul

milkman55 · 02-15-2019, 01:38 PM

I have the Demco (SMI) Stay N Play and it has worked great. Nothing to store as it’s permenantly installed. Uses your power brakes as it has a compressor that keeps the power brakes active.

Just flip a switch under the dash and off you go. I installed it myself using YouTube videos and it was easy.

caseymyers · 02-15-2019, 03:14 PM

I was seriously thinking built in but after listening to you guys and revisiting the RVI web site I decided I'd go that route. Basically no changes have to be made to my Jeep at all and with the smaller format of the RVI over the bulk of the Brake Buddy it should be easier to move around and store. And I can toss that big box BB in the trash. FYI RVI offers a 5% military discount. Thanks to all.

halla · 02-15-2019, 04:32 PM

Rvi 3, love it, and its simple. Great support as well

RV Randy · 02-21-2019, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halla

Rvi 3, love it, and its simple. Great support as well

X2. I have the same year/model Jeep you have and the system works great. For $50 I also added the small onboard charger that keeps the Jeep battery fully charged when towing.

Motorhome1 · 02-23-2019, 02:23 PM

Agreed. I tow a Jeep and have the same setup. It’s great!

caseymyers · 02-23-2019, 03:05 PM

I'm going to do the install today.
Thanks...

4XGLMPR · 02-23-2019, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Randy

X2. I have the same year/model Jeep you have and the system works great. For $50 I also added the small onboard charger that keeps the Jeep battery fully charged when towing.

I agree..Simple and well worth it.

Wolf Alaska · 02-23-2019, 06:58 PM

I set our Jeep up to use as a towed vehicle. Now, it has air brakes.

My son & I installed all the Roadmaster brackets for towing & electrical system harness, Hopkins, from eTrailer. Link Automotive in Nashville installed a M&G air brake system in Oct.

An air line from Jeep hooks to the Dynamax Grand Sport GT air system via the "glad hand" installed at the factory.

When I hit the air brake pedal on the coach, the air pressure activates the Jeep's brakes. That's it....no electricity involved. There is also a pressure cylinder to activate the Jeep's brakes should a disconnect failure ever occur. Such a failure is so remote, it is not even on my radar screen. But Hey, it's covered !

caswelld · 02-24-2019, 08:05 AM

We're towed with the InvisiBrake for 45K miles and love it. The installation is a bit more complicated, but the setup for towing is quick & easy.

It seems like there are several good braking systems on the market & everyone is pretty happy with the product they have. What ever you buy make sure you get a supplemental battery charging kit for the towed.

Dave

Silver Arrow · 02-24-2019, 08:43 AM

I use a Roadmaster Brakemaster 9100 system on my DX3 to tow our 4WD Silverado and it works perfectly. It's lightweight & just takes a couple of minutes to hook up. I found it on Ebay for under $200 w/o the floor plate so I make a simple bracket which I attached to the seat base. I permanently mounted a stainless steel female disconnect on the DX3 bumper bracket & its mate on the front of the PU. The really small quick disconnect that comes on the Brakemaster unit is made by Parker.

I bought a 2nd system on Ebay for under $75 as a backup. The air cylinder is a std stainless steel 1-1/2" bore unit made by Bimba which should never give any problems. For any RV that has air brakes, this is the way to go.

RKBob · 02-24-2019, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman55

I have the Demco (SMI) Stay N Play and it has worked great. Nothing to store as it’s permenantly installed. Uses your power brakes as it has a compressor that keeps the power brakes active.

Just flip a switch under the dash and off you go. I installed it myself using YouTube videos and it was easy.

X2 on this system... used it on my 30FW on trip to Phoenix by way of Tn and back, 20deg to 90 deg and no problems. Changed coach to Dx3 and just plugged it in, flipped the switch, and off I drove.😎

emm-dee · 02-24-2019, 09:12 AM

I just got the NSA ReadyBrake system and it works great. No electricity involved and was able to install the whole system in about one hour.

sconnors11 · 02-25-2019, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Arrow

I use a Roadmaster Brakemaster 9100 system on my DX3 to tow our 4WD Silverado and it works perfectly. It's lightweight & just takes a couple of minutes to hook up. I found it on Ebay for under $200 w/o the floor plate so I make a simple bracket which I attached to the seat base. I permanently mounted a stainless steel female disconnect on the DX3 bumper bracket & its mate on the front of the PU. The really small quick disconnect that comes on the Brakemaster unit is made by Parker.

I bought a 2nd system on Ebay for under $75 as a backup. The air cylinder is a std stainless steel 1-1/2" bore unit made by Bimba which should never give any problems. For any RV that has air brakes, this is the way to go.

I use the same system on our 4Runner and agree that its a no brainer when your tow vehicle has air brakes.

shultz01 · 02-25-2019, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halla

Rvi 3, love it, and its simple. Great support as well

X2. I'm using Blue Ox for towing plus RVi Brake with their towed vehicle breakaway and charging systems.

yogiandlisa · 03-03-2019, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Randy

X2. I have the same year/model Jeep you have and the system works great. For $50 I also added the small onboard charger that keeps the Jeep battery fully charged when towing.

Hey great thread...researching myself to make a 07 wrangler into a toad. Is the battery charger needed? I like the RVI set up as I'm not sure this will be permanent but don't want to get nickle and dimed...the invisibrake comes with a battery tender...

emm-dee · 03-03-2019, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogiandlisa

Hey great thread...researching myself to make a 07 wrangler into a toad. Is the battery charger needed? I like the RVI set up as I'm not sure this will be permanent but don't want to get nickle and dimed...the invisibrake comes with a battery tender...

Readybrake doesn’t use any electrical at all.

caseymyers · 03-03-2019, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogiandlisa

Hey great thread...researching myself to make a 07 wrangler into a toad. Is the battery charger needed? I like the RVI set up as I'm not sure this will be permanent but don't want to get nickle and dimed...the invisibrake comes with a battery tender...

The main reason you need a battery charger on a TOAD is because you have to leave the ignition key on to keep the steering wheel lock off. Wranglers don't have steering wheel locks so you key is not on and therefore you are not discharging your battery except for the little bit your brake device may use to pump up it's small reservoir again after braking. I've towed 5 Jeeps over the years never needed a battery charger, never had a battery problem from towing the Jeeps.

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