aux brakes for dingy

[sftrbt]

Has anyone had any experience with the Brake Buddy Vantage. I'm looking to tow a dingy for the first time and have been looking at the vantage and the original brake buddy. Would appreciate some pros and cons for each. thanks

[thejollyrogers]

I use a Brake Buddy and find that it's very easy to use. Just set it on the floor in front of the seat, attach it to the brake peddle, plug it into your power source and that's it. You might want to make sure that your power source for it is hooked directly to the car battery.
Enjoy

[bchampton]

Has anyone had any experience with the Brake Buddy Vantage. I'm looking to tow a dingy for the first time and have been looking at the vantage and the original brake buddy. Would appreciate some pros and cons for each. thanks

We have used one for several years and it is easy to setup. Camping World has another brand, but it looks, almost the same.

[larryg]

I've got a Brake Buddy and it works great. It may be a little expensive but it sure is worth it. When we had our class C we towed a 2006 Ford Focus on a trip to Florida. There was no drag when applying the brakes. Didn't even know the dingy was behind the motor home. I recommend it highly. Use it and enjoy knowing you have great stopping power. I would recommend that after a few hours of steady towing, you stop and crank up the dingy for a few seconds just to keep the battery charged. We had to do it once.

[teofff]

After all my research, I went with the tow-v-aire system. Mfg in Florida, when you call or email them for information, you talk with the owner. I liked that, and am satisfied with their system.

[earljan34]

Check out the SMI line, Had a brake pro in last toad went to SMI Silent-Partner in the new one what a difference no hassle at all just flip a switch that's it. Brake pro worked well but would not fit new toad! The SMI system was the same price as the brake pro. Check it out (smibrake.com).

Earl

[ronf1492]

I like the surge brake by Ready Brake.
Check out there site:www.readybrake.com

[swaff43]

After burning up a set of brakes on my toad with a Brake Buddy, I ditched it for almost 2 years. Then I found that not only had I burned the brakes, but it probably messed up my wheel bearings too! I had to buy new brakes, rotors and bearings - not a cheap deal. After MUCH research, I went with the SMI Air Force One. SO simple! Hook up the air hose, connect the wiring (plug in) and just go. It's always connected, but out of the way when not towing. And it cost LESS (with installation) than the Brake Buddy.

[scott]

I've been using the BB for about 5 years, there is a learning curve, for one if you set the air pressure to high it will put too much force on your car brakes, the next if you set the sensitivity to high it will brake far too often I now have mine working only on panic stops, another problem is sometimes the brake peddle wouldn't come all the way back
so would leave the towed brake lites on all the time, solved that problem by using a bungee cord from the brake peddle to the seat belt buckle. when the brake peddle doesn't come all the way back and leaves the brake lites on it will kill your battery very fast. after the learning process it all works just fine. would I get another BB No
instead I would go with the SMI it is proportional and works off its own vacuum system. Scott

[shadsshack]

I used the brake buddy, origional version, for many years, initially towing a ford ranger from washington state to florida and back each year, then a jeep cherokee.

For the most part it worked flawless, (that is unless you dont properly adjust the breakaway switch cable...then the smoke gets a little intense when the pin gets pulled).

I quit using my brake buddy after an incident on I 20 near Dallas where the highway could have been used for a motocross track. The motion activated the brake buddy and started a jerking motion that was quite uncomfortable. I pulled over and disconnected the power and went on to my campsite. When I plugged in the unit the next morning, it cycled by itself with no motion or other stimulation. my only option was to continue the trip with out the system installed. I have since re tested the system and can find no problem with it.... I am going to use it later this month on a trip from florida to SC and back.

The brake buddy saved my rig on the very first time out so it deserves a second chance.

[frank]

We have an original BB and have used for well over 100,000 miles with no problem. We do not leave home without it!!!!

The only thing we have had to do is make adjustments in pressure and sensitivity depending on vehhicle we are towing.

It still works like new!!!

ENJOY!!

[squaredancer]

I have used the tow-v-aire on three different motorhomes(diesel) it is easy to install and lots of help from the manufacture if needed. Three of my friends purchased the units at the same time, no problems at all.

[billshr]

I bought the Roadmaster Brake Pro new about 2&1/2 years ago. I used it on a trip to Alaska, until it burned up in Alaska. It got hot and melted the lines and the air compressor. Of course I couldn't get it replaced at that time and had to go the entire trip back to Mo. without a brake, through the mountains. They did stand behind it and replace it with a rebulilt one. I used it three times and the air compressor went out on it. I replaced it again. I didn't trust it anymore so I sold it and replaced it with what Monaco, recommends for it's units, which is the US Gear brake. It is a little expensive to have installed but works great. :)

Bill