| TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #236477] |
Sat, 18 January 2014 01:19  |
Clark76
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
Karma: -2
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| TOWD BRAKE SYSTEMS USED[ 28 votes ] |
| 1. |
I don't Tow a Car |
 9 / 32% |
| 2. |
I don't currently use a Tow Brake System |
6 / 21% |
| 3. |
I use a CABLE BRAKE (Like ReadyBrake - Inertia Hitch) |
1 / 4% |
| 4. |
I use a PORTABLE BRAKE (Like Brake Buddy, Patriot, EvenBrake, RVi Brake) |
7 / 25% |
| 5. |
I use a SEMI-PERMANENT BRAKE (Like SMI Duo, InvisiBrake, US Gear, M&G) |
2 / 7% |
| 6. |
I use OTHER System... |
3 / 11% |
There are many Tow Brake systems out there, a good summary on the majority of them is located at the following link: http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/13200019.cfm
QUESTION: If I were given a gift certificate for a new installed Tow Brake System, I would upgrade from __________ to a ___________ brake system because I drive a _____________. (Fill in the blanks)
[Updated on: Mon, 10 February 2014 20:30] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #236488 is a reply to message #236477] |
Sat, 18 January 2014 08:14  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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I use an Even Brake system with good results. Although my 1st towd was a 92 Geo Tracker stick shift and the Even Brake bracket would not attach very well to the very-small brake pedal on the Geo Tracker. I had to secure it with cable ties and cut them off when ever I removed the Even Brake. I now have a towd with auto trans so the brake pedal is larger and no longer a problem to attach to.
California Vehicle Code requires a supplemental braking unit for any towed vehicle over 1,500 lbs. and breakaway brakes.
So just for speculation, what would the liability be if in an at- fault accident while towing a 2,500 lb towd with no breaking system while the coach owners manual limits towing to 1,000 lbs. Add to that the coach has one of the numerous modified braking systems. Would your insurance abandon you?
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #236496 is a reply to message #236488] |
Sat, 18 January 2014 09:48 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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No George. Stupidity is covered by all auto insurance policies. They just will not pay for intentional acts.
Todd Sullivan
Sully
77 royale
Seattle
> On Jan 18, 2014, at 6:14 AM, GEORGE BUTTS <george.b@reagan.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> I use an Even Brake system with good results. Although my 1st towd was a 92 Geo Tracker stick shift and the Even Brake bracket would not attach very well to the very-small brake pedal on the Geo Tracker. I had to secure it with cable ties and cut them off when ever I removed the Even Brake. I now have a towd with auto trans so the brake pedal is larger and no longer a problem to attach to.
>
> California Vehicle Code requires a supplemental braking unit for any towed vehicle over 1,500 lbs. and breakaway brakes.
>
> So just for speculation, what would the liability be if in an at- fault accident while towing a 2,500 lb towd with no breaking system while the coach owners manual limits towing to 1,000 lbs. Add to that the coach has one of the numerous modified braking systems. Would your insurance abandon you?
> --
> George Butts
> Apple Valley Calif.
> 73 "Custom 26 Q"
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #236613 is a reply to message #236477] |
Sun, 19 January 2014 10:07 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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I was going to build my one similar to Ken Hendersons but ran out of time before Branson.
Did some research and ended up with a ReadyBrake.
http://www.readybrake.com/brake-systems.html
I know of the reports of burned out TOWD brakes with the earlier versions of this system. However, the current ones use their own stinger that fits in your receiver. In addition, there is a small red light that you run up to your dash that lights when the brake engages. I'd have to be totally stupid not to notice the lights on or not feel the brakes dragging.
They do caution that you need to be within 2" of level with the tow bar mounts on the TOAD so it doesn't bind. Makes sense and I purchased a 4" drop for that reason.
Originally, I was going to just use it as a temporary thing but decided it works just fine and in a panic stop it comes on RIGHT NOW!. You can adjust how soon it engages.
The only thing I don't especially care for is that the tow bar package is about 16" longer because of their stinger. I may redo my hitch to take that into consideration.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #236840 is a reply to message #236477] |
Mon, 20 January 2014 21:43 |
Clark76
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
Karma: -2
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One of the reasons I started this poll was because camping world now has a special to install anything for $39. This makes a semi permanent installed competitively priced to a portable towd brake and I wanted to see what members favored.
[Correction: The The Good Sams member price at Camping world for a Semi-Permanent Toad brake product purchased at Camping World Super center, install is $149 during 2014 (Must read that pesky fine print).]
At $39 is was a bargain, at $149, might as well crawl under the GMC if I go that route.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 January 2014 16:15] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #237127 is a reply to message #237069] |
Thu, 23 January 2014 07:26 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Emery,
I use a "Stay In Play" towed brake system. It is radio controlled and has its own vacuum pump in the tow vehicle. You never really have to make any connections, although if the car follows the coach and not hooked up every time you put on the brake the car does too. It also brakes proportional to the coach braking. I usually take out the control box when it isn't being towed but you don't have to do it.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #237416 is a reply to message #237147] |
Sat, 25 January 2014 08:58 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
In 39 years with the same coach I have never had a brake failure. I now have all wheel disc brakes with a Branscombe parking brake. In case of a brake failure I would use the parking brake and gears to slow down and get stopped. I also notice since I travel around 3 to 5 mph below the speed limit I never have anyone in front of me. I also test the brakes before I have to make a turn off. As I get older, I get more careful. I also check all fluid levels before going on a trip. Most braking systems will give a little warning of some kind before going out if you recognize it.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: TOWD BRAKES: How do you Brake your Tow Car? [message #357143 is a reply to message #236477] |
Fri, 24 July 2020 08:20 |
Clark76
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
Karma: -2
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After initiating this post in 2012, I can now report that I have purchased and tested a Towd Brake System. It's only been 8 years....why rush things.
My selection - RVI3
https://rvibrake.com/products/rvibrake3-flat-towing-braking-system?variant=20046642181
It had the features I desired most: 1)Portable, 2)Lightweight, 3)Quick Response, 4)Remote monitoring from inside the coach, 5)Fully adjustable remote sensitivity, 6)Can work independently as programmed in the event of a Wifi/Bluetooth failure, 7)Able to remotely activate Towd brakes in the event of a catastrophic failure of the Motorhome brakes and at least act as a drogue chute in an emergency.
I like the ability to see when and how hard the Towd brakes are being applied when in operation. I can set it up for normal braking or just panic braking applications - lots of flexibility to adjust sensitivity on the brakes.
Overall I give it a solid thumbs-up.
The long-term test will come after seeing how the electronics hold up and how future software updates keep up with the hardware (comes with a 7" tablet for monitoring). Maybe in a future release they will allow migration to a Android or Apple application on my existing phone or tablet. Dash space is being taken over by tablets it seems: GPS, Tire Monitoring, Brake Monitoring, Rear Camera Etc. It's starting to look like a NASA control center.
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