Smoky said:
I know there are many threads about toad brake systems here and on the ?other? forum and I will be re-reading them.
But I would like a sanity check on where I am currently at.
I am having Remco in Annapolis ?work up? an estimate for me. They are recommending the ?roadmaster? towing system, (Sterling model) and for toad brakes the Roadmaster ?Brakemaster?. I believe this system taps into the pusher air or hydraulic brake system and gives true proportional braking with full meter indication in the cab.
I don?t know if the Newmar Kountry Star has airbrakes (well the parking brake is air but not sure about the driving brakes) or hydraulic brakes, but the Brakemaster is supposed to tap in to one or the other pusher system. I am waiting to hear from Newmar on which type and whether this would void warranty.
Does this sound like a good way to go?
The dealer is minimizing toad brakes saying that the pusher braking will overwhelm the toad and make toad braking non critical. The dealer says they can install a much less expensive Brake Buddy that uses inertia braking. What say?
I too like the M&G even if the coach does not have air brakes (and if the parking brake is air, I'd be willing to bet the main brakes are too, but I could be wrong, it would be a bet)
I'm not convinced on the intertial brake systems. Assorted reasons I don't really like them Here is what I found
1: Salesmen are paid to sell their company's products (or the store's products) so if you are at a REMCO company store they will always suggest REMCO products 1st, and then other proucts the store carries (Lower commission) ALWAYS, no exceptions
Moral 1: Don't listen to them
2: M&G, from what I've read in the other forum and other places is #1 with a brake pad, however it won't fit on my Lumina APV. Advantages of this air operated system are 1: Totally transparent to the operator of the toad when it's independent. There is NOTHING in the cockpit, nothing at all, it's all "under the hood" Very well designed system. It is also a proprotional system operated as additional brakes on the coach's main brake system. Very good
Brake Master and Brake Buddy have been reviewed here, Brake Master I saw lots of complaints, Brake buddy less so but these are intertial systems, they sense that you are slowing down and apply the brakes.. I'd rather they sensed I wished to slow down (Had pressed the pedal) this they can not do, In addition you got the pedal pusher to pull out of the way when you want to drive independent and forget to re-install when you tow
Brake Pro... Air, like the M&G, but a pedal pusher like the Brake Buddy and Brake Master. This is a porportional system that addresses the first concern I have in the above but being a pedal pusher it still has "junk" to move when you want to go independent and forget to replace when you tow.
Unified Gear's brake system http://www.usgear.com/unified_tow_brake.htm
This is what I"m likely to go with,,, It's a pedal PULLER, not pusher, so though it works the brake pedal just like Brake Buddy/Master/Pro it PULLS not Pushes. This does mean a bit of additional hardware that can fail but it also means there is nothing in the way when you go independent and nothing to forget when you return to towed status
No pins to loose, no boxes to get misplaced, nothing, just hook and go.
It's an electric system, works with all tow vehicles equiped with an electric brake controller, Unified Gear is a sales partner with WorkHorse (Who is the chassis supplier on the Motor Home I'm buying)
I may still go with the brake pro if the Damon is air braked though