Wandering Elk said:
I am trying to decide on the type of auxiliary braking control system to install on my towed vehicle. I have a 38 foot class A gas motor home with a 1995 Ford Escort towed vehicle. I am looking at the U.S. Gear "Unified Tow Brake versus the Roadmaster Brake Pro. Workhorse has chosen or is using their distribution channel to support the U.S. Gear 'Unified Tow Brake'. Do any of you have an opinion that can help me decide which is the best solution.
Thanks,
Wandering Elk
I have looked at a whole bunch of different brake systems for my upcoming motorhome/towed combination and setteled on the US Gear Unified Tow Brake as the one I'm going to buy.
Here is the list: M&G air brake system (Note, if your tow vehicle does not have air brakes they have a solution for that) Very nice, fits under the hood, NOTHING in the way of the driver when unhooked, does require instalation of an air compressor and routing of air lines, usees only "Tractor" (motor home) power.
Brake Buddy, This is a pedal pusher system, so it sits in the way of a driver and has to be removed before the towed can be driven.
Now, I tend to get Brake Master and Brake Pro mixed so give me a sec/// Ok got it
Brake Pro- Like the Brake buddy, however a better system on paper, worse in practice I'm told, uses towed power and should the battery run down a bit or the wireing not be up to it's needs.. Don't work
Brake MASTER, This is a pedal pusher but works like the M&G, Uses tractor air, a compressor may be installed on the tractor if needed, Does use towed power for the brake lights. Major disadvantage I can see is the same for all pedal pusher systems You have to remove it before driving the towed cause it's in the way
Note; That is the ONLY thing I don't like about the Brake master and in fact it's a hard choice between it and tne unified gear
Unified gear, this is an all electric system, it is a pedal PULLER (I have issues with the design but believe I can address them when I go to have it installed)
In the specific instalation a "Control Unit" installs UNDER the driver's seat, out of the way, and a cable, not unlike a parking brake cable runs up under the carpeting to a pully behind the brake pedal, a standard clevis is then used to pull the pedal down, Thus there is NOTHING in the way of the driver when he gets in (like the M&G in this respect)
Uses towed vehicle power for lights and for a vaccume pump to power the vaccume assist unit. Note, no reason the tractor can not charge the towed vehicle brakes (I will see if they can do that for me when I set it up) solving the issue of a weak battery on the toad.
My only complaint here is they install with the cable under the carpet, I Drive the toad every day in all sorts of weather and worry about the effects of salty snow on the cable as it soaks through the carpeting on my car...I intend ot ask about alternative mounting positions for the control unit (Perhaps the passanger firewall) should work, no reason technically I can see it not working, and up out of the water that way.
Major advantage of this system: , note: They do not sell it this way but again I'll bet it can be optioned: Should you ever be flying down the freeway and the vehicle engine die.. Well, you now have aq choice, hit nuteral and seriously increase your coast range (Perhaps enough to get safely off either into a breakdown lane or an exit) or leave it iin gear so the engine turns so you have vaccume for the brakes... This gives a 3rd option, Hit nuteral, do the better coast, turn on the pump so you have brakes a-plunty (Best of both options 1 and 2)
It is the system I'm choosing for my toad
