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Supplemental Brake Systems

Yahoo Message Number: 13061
Would appreciate info on what supplemental brake systems are being used and why they were chosen. At the moment I do not use anything...silly me!

I have an O4 Allure with a 400 Cummings and currently pull a Jeep Wrangler. I am considering pulling something bigger and welcome the groups advice/recomendations on braking systems.

Tks

Dean Ansley
04 Allure
#31071

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13063
A friend of mine pulls a Jeep Cherokee and he finally settled on M&H system, which I helped him set up. I rode in the jeep for the shake down cruise.
There was no banging or clanking, the nose never drooped and it was very smooth. So this Spring I will be off to Athens, Texas to have one installed on the Odyssey with that important breakaway switch. TWI 11731 2004 Intrigue.

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13068
Did you mean M&G Engineering Brake System? I purchased this unit and decided not to install it, as in my opinion it was too intrusive to both the motorhome (it required a tap from the air brakes) and the toad brake systems (it required an air cylinder between the vacuum unit and master cylinder).
I have since installed the Unified Tow Brake from US Gear. There is only minor installation to the coach, and a tie in to the vacuum brake system plus a cable/pulley assembly in the interior of the toad.
I'm not saying the M&G system isn't adequate or safe, it just appeared to be too intrusive to both vehicles for my purposes.

Warren

1990 Prevost Conversion/2001 RoadTrek Popular 190 Toad/2003 Acura MDX Toad

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13070
Dean, we have been using the M&G system since 2000 on our Jeep GC. We have had no problems with it. As far as "intruding" on your coach brake system it is no big deal. You have a 1/4 inch air line that attaches via a screw in fitting to the air manifold for the rear brakes. If there was ever a leak, the volume that would be released into free environment is much smaller that that of the total avaliable. You would probably never notice it. Installation on the vehicle is straight forward. Some re-routing/bending of the hydraulic lines might be required as the master brake cylinder will be moved forward 4 inches. The brake system is totaly transparent when driving the Jeep, you don't even know it is there. I haven't found any aux braking system that I like better.

Don

'02 Intrigue #11427

Quote from: Dean Ansley
'02 Intrigue #11427

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13071
From: "Dean Ansley" ansleyd2001@...>
Quote
Would appreciate info on what supplemental brake systems are being
used and why they were chosen. (snip) We've been happily using the VIP-Tow>http://www.towbrake.com/pdfs/cmpr10-03.pdf for a chart that compares its successor, the MountainMaster, against other products. Some of the points listed may not be important to you.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13077
Dean,

We are using the M&G and are very pleased with it. The price, as I remember was about $850 including installation. Install took just 30 minutes. It is set so that there is only 90 braking on the toad and that keeps the toad from locking up. It takes about 15 seconds to connect it and disconnect. Just one hose to plug in the MH and the toad. Company is located in Athens Texas. Very nice people

Ray and Doris
04 Inspire

02 Jeep Liberty

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13079
I have a 36' CC and I use the brake buddy and it works just fine. I tow a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I just didn't want to mess with cutting into my air lines and the brakebuddy is easy to hook-up

Quote from: C\. Marshall
> A friend of mine pulls a Jeep Cherokee and he finally settled on

M&H system,

Quote
which I helped him set up. I rode in the jeep for the shake down

cruise.

Quote
There was no banging or clanking, the nose never drooped and it was

very

Quote
smooth. So this Spring I will be off to Athens, Texas to have one

installed

Quote
on the Odyssey with that important breakaway switch. TWI 11731

2004

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13081
I used the Brake Buddy for about 4 years and had no problems with it. It works fine during stopping with a pretty good pressure on the brakes, but to assist in slowing down whether in town or on the mountains, it is useless.
Last fall at the FMCA rally I had the M & G system installed. I have really been impressed with the braking now. I truly do not feel the car. Shortly after having the system installed I got "new car fever" and then had to have the braking system taken out of

the old car and installed in the new. Have not had a chance to hook it up and try it out, but I am sure it will be fine--even better since the new vehicle is considerably heavier.

Brake Buddy is in Victoria, TX and is for sale if anybody is interested.

Ree

Current location---Victoria, TX

2003 Allure 30852

Home is www.eldoradoranch.com near www.sanfelipe.com.mx

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13082
Quote
I used the Brake Buddy for about 4 years and had no problems with it. It > works fine during stopping with a pretty good pressure on the brakes, but

to

Quote
assist in slowing down whether in town or on the mountains, it is useless.
The Brake Buddy should activate whenever you *decellerate* regardless of whether on flat or downhill. In that regard it is just as useful in both situations.

I'm not sure I would want a system to apply constant pressure on the toad's brakes

when going down a long grade as this might lead to a heap of smoke back there!
Tom Fisher
BigD

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13084
I use the US Gear Unified Tow Brake system. I was impressed with the two axis accelerometer and gain control that allowed proportional braking in the towed vehicle by sensing a slow down from letting up on the accelerator or PAC Brake being applied. A little involved in installing it myself. But easily completed it during a weekend two years and 15,000 towing miles ago. I have been real pleased with its performance so far.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

1999 Chev Tahoe LT 4WD in tow

Quote from: Dean Ansley
Would appreciate info on what supplemental brake systems are being > used and why they were chosen. At the moment I do not use > anything...silly me!

I have an O4 Allure with a 400 Cummings and currently pull a Jeep > Wrangler. I am considering pulling something bigger and welcome

the

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13088
I use the brake buddy. No prior experience with brakes systems so purchased BB on basis of cost, ability to easily transfer to other vehicles and reasonably positive comments on this forum.
After three years of use I am satisfied that is has performed as expected.
However; there are a couple of issues. Setting up only takes a few minutes but can be a nuisance on very cold mornings and getting the clamp located on the brake pedal is best done wearing a pair of gloves to avoid scrapes.
If I were moving the coach every two or three days for most of the year I would spend the extra money for a simpler system. With just three or four hook ups per month is not a big deal.
Just had the Odyssey serviced for 30K miles. Brake report was 25% left on front, 65% on rear. Obviously brake pad wear is a function of driving habits and terrain but I was surprised that the fronts were down so much. Have come to the conclusion that those long down hill slopes using the exhaust brake on the coach may have resulted in longer then normal application on the toad brakes without benefit of releasing the brakes occasionally as one would when driving the car by itself. We have towed about 10K miles.
If I am correct, those that tow more then they drive the toad may want to pay attention to the brake pad wear. Your brakes may be worn much more then the odometer might suggest!
Have been very careful to make sure the BB is not set "too sensitive" and always check rear brake lights when hooking up to make sure the brake pedal is not accidentally partially depressed.

David & Karen

2000 Intrigue 11062
40 ft Single slide. PT
2002 Odyssey TOAD

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13089
From: F102508@...>
(snip) > Have

Quote
come to the conclusion that those long down hill slopes using the exhaust > brake

on the coach may have resulted in longer then normal application on the > toad

brakes without benefit of releasing the brakes occasionally as one would > when

driving the car by itself.
One of the things I love about our VIP-Tow> manually with the pushbutton at my side, it only applies upon activation of the motorhome brake lights AND the mercury switch in the control box which senses motorhome deceleration. Or I have the option of turning it off with a switch at my side. A very versatile system!

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13094
Dean

Quote
>>On Sat, 27 Nov 2004 18:14:11 -0000, Dean Ansley wrote:
I am considering pulling something bigger and welcome the groups advice/recomendations on braking systems.
Almost 6 years with M&G on two different toads, a Suzuki Grand Vitara & now on a GMC Envoy... Trouble free

Terry

99 Magna 5703

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13100
I have the M&G Braking on my 2001 Yukon. Have towed over 45k miles on Yukon with two separate coached. Never had a problem. Would not be without it.
Yukon weighs 5-6k lbs in various stages of load factors.
Bob Welton

2003 Allure Ser 30871
@001 Yukon

P S. Allure is still for Sale Contact me if any interest...

Re: Supplemental Brake Systems

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 13137
Hi, Dean...we use a US Gear supplemental braking system which we've liked (3+ years with it). It's EASY to hook up once the whole system's installed and there was no getting into the air lines of the coach to do it. The air cylinder that activates the brake is hidden in the Jeep. I'd recommend them, although you do need to have someone install it who knows what they're doing. It took our installation place a few times to get it right.
We can adjust the sensitivity of the brakes to our liking by using a monitor on the dash which also shows when the brakes are activated.
The M & G was the other system, but we had a US Gear place nearer us than the M & G.
Happy Travels..
Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320
Currently in TX