Patriot vs RVi braking systems

[Jimrie]

Looking to use a “portable” braking system that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. Anyone have experience with either of these brands or other recommendations?

[creativepart]

I don't have any experience with either of these. I use the Brake Buddy Digital Classic.

It works fine... but unlike many more competent systems it is not at all progressive. If I brake hard it puts on (slams?) the brakes on the toad for a second or so and then releases.

Before beginning towing a toad I assumed that when you braked your RV that your toad would brake, too. But with this kind of auxillary braking system that's not how it works. It doesn't brake at all UNLESS you brake your RV hard enough to trigger a braking action by the device. Gentle or common braking tasks in the RV trigger no such action in the toad.

Oh, the Brake Buddy can be set to be more or less sensitive to the RV's braking action - but what you can't vary is how hard the Aux Brake device puts on the brakes or for how long the toad's braking continues.

You quickly find that you don't need a lot of braking from your toad... until you really need it and that's when the Brake Buddy comes on strong.

I don't know if the models you are looking at have this same sort of non-proportional action or not. But I wanted you to be aware of this as a thing you may want to be aware of.

Personally, I've used the Brake Buddy for 6+ years and over 55,000 miles and I"m happy enough with the way it operates.

[Jimrie]

Originally Posted by creativepart

I don't have any experience with either of these. I use the Brake Buddy Digital Classic.

It works fine... but unlike many more competent systems it is not at all progressive. If I brake hard it puts on (slams?) the brakes on the toad for a second or so and then releases.

Before beginning towing a toad I assumed that when you braked your RV that your toad would brake, too. But with this kind of auxillary braking system that's not how it works. It doesn't brake at all UNLESS you brake your RV hard enough to trigger a braking action by the device. Gentle or common braking tasks in the RV trigger no such action in the toad.

Oh, the Brake Buddy can be set to be more or less sensitive to the RV's braking action - but what you can't vary is how hard the Aux Brake device puts on the brakes or for how long the toad's braking continues.

You quickly find that you don't need a lot of braking from your toad... until you really need it and that's when the Brake Buddy comes on strong.

I don't know if the models you are looking at have this same sort of non-proportional action or not. But I wanted you to be aware of this as a thing you may want to be aware of.

Personally, I've used the Brake Buddy for 6+ years and over 55,000 miles and I"m happy enough with the way it operates.

Thanks for the input, it will help in my decision process. I use a tow dolly for more local trips when I pull a classic but for future longer trips I want to pull a modern vehicle and this info is helpful, thank you

[powercat_ras]

I have had the Generation 1 Blue Ox Patriot since 2015, still going strong. Had to have it serviced to replace the internal 12 volt AGM battery. It stops working right when the internal battery wears out which happens after about 5 years. The internal battery is a backup so that if the breakaway switch operates it can still depress the brake pedal even if is being powered from 12 volts from the RV.

The current generation is Patriot 2 which works the same but is half the size of the original. It is adjustable as to how much brake assist it gives the RV and when it gives brake assist. Its adjustability is much like a trailer brake controller. It has RV dash mounted display that is wireless that shows the status of the Patriot and shows when it is applying the brake.

I have used it in 3 different vehicles, that is the main advantage is that it is portable and if you replace your tow vehicle it does not need to be replaced.

[Bones2003]

I can only speak about the Patriot brake system. I've had two of them now. For me, they seem to work well. If I brake the motorhome hard, the Patriot brakes the toad hard very quickly too. A soft brake and the Patriot also brakes lightly or not at all. It is fast and easy to install and remove when not needed. It also has settings for response and weight of the toad. I've never messed with those settings. The wireless control unit that sits on the dash in my RV connects quickly and maintains a reliable connection. I'm sure the RVI brake is a good unit too.

[Morich]

Over the years we have had three different RVI setups. Not becasue they breakdown but because folks have been willing to pay more than new price if I sold them the car with brake!
We like the way it operates but the bigger question is not which brake system but which car to put it in as that is a bigger factor.
The install on the brake system is not much wiring and one could DIY if wanted.
Setting the tow bar and connections tot he frame can be a BIG one and I might question the idea of having too many tow cars set for towing. That might run into real money!
But much of that depends on the car and the options are getting more and more scarce to to the newer transmission and electronics.

[Jimrie]

Thanks Richard much appreciated

[Jimrie]

Thanks for the info

[Morich]

With the idea that the details are where we are prone to getting caught, I might throw in more detail on some of those details that gave me trouble.
I first used the RVI brake ina 98 Escort with manual transmission. I had the car and converted it to tow and it was easy. Put the car in neutral, ignition to first click to keep the wheels from locking on cornering, connect the RVI box to 12V power outlet in car and the small wire to the breakaway connection and place the "claw" on the brake pedal.
Then there is a button to push which tests the setup and does a push of the pedal to test the box is placed so it doesn't slide instead of pushing the brake! Many cars have a ridge just under the seat front that the box set against, no big thing. The box has a speaker which walks you through the testing and tells you if it fails or not. Two wires to plug in and you "could" miss it?
In the RV is a tablet that comes with the system and it shows what is needed to get wireless contact with the car unit and when it is braking, etc.
A sending unit/ repeater can be set half way forward in the RV if there is a signal problem. We did not need it in the 30 foot and under we had.
On setup at the car and turning the tablet on to connect, then we had a routine of checking lights with my wife at the rear to check turn,stop, taillights and then as a final, I pushed the test button as she listened or watched the tow car brake pedal.

This was all very simple and easy as a small added thing to get road-ready. She did the car and I pulled in slides and jacks or stored things until ready to check it and then we did hand signals out the window.

But then we changed cars and did not have an RV at that point, so did not buy for towing and created big problems as we got a car with much more electronics and one of those was an electronic transmission! I think 2015 or so Ford Focus? BIG mistake!
On that car the whole wiring scheme was difficult as well as mounting the tow plates.

The transmission had to have power cut to set it to tow but there had to be power to the box and the lights, making it weird with lots of added wires!

I suggest looking very carefully when considering WHICH car to tow as they can be very different, down to how many wires to run where!
Automatic and CVT are not a good pace to start. Jeep seems easier but then you are agreeing to ride in a JEEP, so there are many things to consider!
Like the whole camping thing, there are lots of different levels to sort which best suits YOU.
What suits the rest of us is not really important for what you want???

[Jimrie]

Thanks for all the info, very helpful