Even though the State of Michigan seems to think I can tow a 15,000# trailer without any brakes I don't think it's a good idea and I'm not too sure about other states accepting my "geez I didn't know" excuse. With that in mind, I've been looking at braking systems. Since I don't plan on changing toads very often I was thinking about the Roadmaster Brakemaster system. The part you have to remove is small and the price is about the same, maybe a couple of hundred buck less, than the "portable" ones which are much larger. I'm sure Blue Ox and probably a couple of others make similar systems. Any pros and cons from those that have used them? BTW my toad will be a 2008 Ford F150. I'm not too worried about the installation as I'm fairly well equipped with tools and knowledge about braking systems. I'm much more concerned with reliability and excessive toad brake wear. I know I'll need some kind of brake lights but I'm pretty sure I'll be using something independent of the toad's. I have a plan to make a cap and I will incorporate the towing brake lights into that, a whole lot less complicated and I think, cheaper.
-- Edited by arcaguy on Saturday 12th of January 2019 05:12:24 PM
bjoyce said
08:47 AM Jan 12, 2019
We have the Roadmaster Invisibrake and are happy. Roadmaster makes good products.
Dutch said
07:05 PM Jan 12, 2019
We've been very satisfied with the performance of the integrated ReadyBrake system on our ReadyBrute Elite tow bar. Hooking up is a simple clip on a cable eyelet. The ReadyBrake component is also available as a separate unit for use with any brand tow bar. The simplicity of the system means fewer potential failure points than the electro-mechanical systems.
arcaguy said
08:48 PM Jan 12, 2019
Thanks for the heads up on the ReadyBrake system. It's about $1,000 cheaper than Blue Ox and about $600 cheaper than Roadmaster. I wasn't even considering Demco because I didn't like their braking system.
NorCal Dan said
06:41 AM Jan 13, 2019
A friend of mine, currently on his way to QTown, lost the Jeep toad behind his motorhome. The entire trailer hitch broke off his older airstream motorhome. Because all his safety cables/chains and break-away cables attached to the trailer hitch, none of them worked. Granted, a trailer hitch detaching completely has to be rare, but it can happen. I am going to find someplace else to attach the break-away cable, just in case. Something to think about...
Dutch said
10:27 AM Jan 13, 2019
NorCal Dan wrote:
A friend of mine, currently on his way to QTown, lost the Jeep toad behind his motorhome. The entire trailer hitch broke off his older airstream motorhome. Because all his safety cables/chains and break-away cables attached to the trailer hitch, none of them worked. Granted, a trailer hitch detaching completely has to be rare, but it can happen. I am going to find someplace else to attach the break-away cable, just in case. Something to think about...
I have a separate set of safety cables attached to the coach frame, with the loop on the other end tie-wrapped to the hitch safety cable loops. With the toad safety cables attached to both loops, neither the toad or the hitch can completely break loose.
Howard said
01:14 PM Jan 15, 2019
We also have the Roadmaster Invisibrake and are very happy with it. Only one we've ever had, so can't compare it to others from personal experience, but once installed it's so easy to deal with.
Even though the State of Michigan seems to think I can tow a 15,000# trailer without any brakes I don't think it's a good idea and I'm not too sure about other states accepting my "geez I didn't know" excuse. With that in mind, I've been looking at braking systems. Since I don't plan on changing toads very often I was thinking about the Roadmaster Brakemaster system. The part you have to remove is small and the price is about the same, maybe a couple of hundred buck less, than the "portable" ones which are much larger. I'm sure Blue Ox and probably a couple of others make similar systems. Any pros and cons from those that have used them? BTW my toad will be a 2008 Ford F150. I'm not too worried about the installation as I'm fairly well equipped with tools and knowledge about braking systems. I'm much more concerned with reliability and excessive toad brake wear. I know I'll need some kind of brake lights but I'm pretty sure I'll be using something independent of the toad's. I have a plan to make a cap and I will incorporate the towing brake lights into that, a whole lot less complicated and I think, cheaper.
-- Edited by arcaguy on Saturday 12th of January 2019 05:12:24 PM
I have a separate set of safety cables attached to the coach frame, with the loop on the other end tie-wrapped to the hitch safety cable loops. With the toad safety cables attached to both loops, neither the toad or the hitch can completely break loose.
We also have the Roadmaster Invisibrake and are very happy with it. Only one we've ever had, so can't compare it to others from personal experience, but once installed it's so easy to deal with.