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08-22-2018, 08:38 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Medina, Ohio
Posts: 150
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Braking system for Toad
I now have my toad and I need to get some advice on which braking system I should consider. So I'm asking for suggestions from folks that have a system. The RV dealer suggested Patriot.
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2017 Minnie Winnie 31 KP
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08-22-2018, 09:18 AM
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#2
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 3,702
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You're going to get a ton of suggestions and it's going to be difficult to sort out the pros and cons of each. The good news is that most people like what they have and horror stories are relatively rare so, if you stick with a brand name you'll be OK.
Based on my research, there are several different categories, these three being the main ones:
Portable Electro Mechanical - A popular example is the Brake Buddy. These are portable units that you place between the driver's seat and your toad's brake pedal. They need to be removed to use the toad and depend on 12V power and electronics to activate a mechanical device that pushes on your brake pedal. These can be moved from one toad to the other.
Mechanical - An example of this is the Ready Brake, which attaches between your tow bar and hitch. The Ready Brute is a combination brake system/towbar. These units mechanically sense when you brake and pull a cable attached to your toad's brake pedal. These are the least expensive choice. There's nothing to install/remove each time other than to connect or disconnect a couple of cables. These also support multiple toads as long as each one has the appropriate brake cables installed.
Permanently Installed- Units such as the SMI Air Force One are permanently installed and use a variety of technologies to activate the brake. Some are pneumatic and require an air compressor or the air from a Diesel Pusher. These only support one toad and are probably the most expensive choice. There's also nothing to install or remove each time.
Personally, I chose the Ready Brake mechanical system. I like the engineering simplicity, relatively low cost and that nothing needs to be installed/removed from the vehicle to use the toad. I also like the idea of it not being dependent on electronics.
Unless you're buying from someone you know and trust, I'd recommend against buying a used braking system.
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Bob C
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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08-22-2018, 11:00 AM
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#3
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 413
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I chose the RVi Brake all the way back in 2012. It has proven itself over and over and unlike the other systems (Patriot, Brake Buddy, etc.) it is small, sits on the floor, and uses the car's floor pan as it's stop. The latest version, the RVi 3, is way more technically advanced than anything else on the market. Service needs have been minimal.
Web - rvibrake.com
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Roger & Mary
2017 Winnebago Navion 24V
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH (Sold)
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08-22-2018, 11:24 AM
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#4
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 3,702
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You also might check out Winnieowners sister site IRV2. It has a forum devoted to toads and has a wider audience so, therefore, may have more information.
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Bob C
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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08-22-2018, 12:06 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Snohomish WA
Posts: 65
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After doing some research I went with the RVi3 brake. It comes with a wireless interface so you can tell when your brake is active and you can add tire pressure monitoring as well. I like the fact that it does not just hit the brakes when you apply your RV brakes as it monitors motion, angle (up or down hill), and applies appropriate pressure. This is a technically sophisticated system. It is really easy for my wife to set up (when she want to) so there is that.
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2017 Winnebago Adventurer 35P, towing a 2018 Ford Edge Sport. Roadmaster RSSA, UltraPower, Blue Ox Rear track bar and CHF
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08-22-2018, 05:00 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Spring Branch, TX
Posts: 8,610
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We found a brand new Brake Buddy on Amazon for a couple hundred dollars off and bought that 3 years ago. It's been good.
Aux Braking for a Toad is not called upon to do much until you make a pretty hard stop. Not quite a panic stop but a hard short stop. The rest of the time it doesn't do all that much. Sure you want it to work when you need it but after my experience I wouldn't spend $1,200 to have something permanently installed in my toad... that I might sell in a couple of years.
My wife and I are speedy quick on installing and removing the Brake Buddy. The toad has 3 seat memories. One for me, one for my wife and one for the Bake Buddy.
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2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Toad
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08-28-2018, 02:14 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 31
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Our first brake system was the Brake Buddy but changed to the Ready Brake because of simplicity. We had it installed at the Ready Brake facility in Iola Kansas They did a good job installing the unit. We have our truck and our CRV set up for towing using the ready brake and have had it for Years. One thing I'll add is to make sure you have something either on your dash or installed into your dash of your MH that will tell you if the system you are using has set the brake on your towed car. A friend failed to do this with his braking system and his towed caught on fire and was a total loss.
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08-28-2018, 02:29 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 3,702
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With the Ready Brake and ReadyBrute, the only parts that are actually installed on the toad are two cables, one that actuates your vehicle's brake pedal when the Ready Brake or Brute applies braking force and a second, break-away safety brake. The Ready Brake mounts between your motorhome's hitch and the tow bar. The ReadyBrute includes and integral tow bar.
Both cable systems can be installed DIY, the only complication being tight working space in your toad.
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Bob C
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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10-13-2018, 07:30 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 39
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Like most said above - my recommendation is the RViBrake3 - totally user friendly, modern and great customer service. It's made in the USA by a small mom & pop company in CO. You can also combine their RViBrake3 system with other features (controlled/monitored by a single tablet/wireless system) like "Towed Battery Charger" and "Tire Pressure Monitor".
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2020 Winnebago Micro Minnie (Fifth Wheel) 2405RL
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10-31-2018, 07:24 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 54
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I just bought a new Jeep to replace the Samurai towd I had
I like the simplicity of the Ready Brake
Any issues on long downhill mountain grades while using the transmission tow feature to use engine to keep the vehicle slowed down? Does the ReadyBrake actuate with the engine holding you back?
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10-31-2018, 08:28 PM
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#11
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 3,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edbehl
I just bought a new Jeep to replace the Samurai towd I had
I like the simplicity of the Ready Brake
Any issues on long downhill mountain grades while using the transmission tow feature to use engine to keep the vehicle slowed down? Does the ReadyBrake actuate with the engine holding you back?
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According to everything I've read, it's designed so this isn't a problem. This is from Ready Brake but you can Google for other reports.
Ready Brake Test Results
(I had t look up "jake brake". It's an engine compression release brake)
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Bob C
2002 Itasca Suncruiser 35U
Workhorse Chassis
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10-31-2018, 09:21 PM
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#12
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 34
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I chose the Ready Brute system for simplicity, good ratings by others, and keeping the cost down. Been using it over a year with no regrets.
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10-31-2018, 10:58 PM
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#13
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 54
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Thank you
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01-07-2020, 05:47 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 36
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I think there should also be a discussion regarding the merits of electrical versus air activated systems. As I have been doing research I have found that many systems like Brake Buddy are mini air compressors and the toad battery runs an air compressor while pulling the vehicle. The new Patriot and RVi are electric activated that have capacitors that are charged by the toads battery - the battery usage is far less with these systems. In many cases I have read that people are hooking battery chargers to their toad to keep the battery charged when towing. Another level of complication.
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01-08-2020, 02:56 AM
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#16
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: El Dorado Hills, CA
Posts: 54
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Unmentioned way too often is ReadyBrute tow bar with integral ReadyBrake MECHANICAL SYSTEM!! RELIABLE, SIMPLE, NO ELECTRICAL OR AIR NEEDED, NO BATTERY DRAIN,
Look at the pictures of my Winnebago Vista and Jeep Wrangler I posted earlier in this trail
I could not be happier with the functionality and ease of hookup and operation.
AND The icing on the cake is it also cost a hell of a lot less than other systems
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