Ready Brake supplemental braking system

[oregonrambler1]

Has anyone had experience with Ready Brake for the supplemental braking system on the toad? I like that there is no electrical component to the system, the feedback on the website seems to be sincere, it looks easy to install and the concept is simple -almost too simple maybe. It also looks super easy to hook up once installed, one cable and you're done. So I was wondering if anyone here is using this braking system. Thanks!

[retiredhappy]

I have a Brake Buddy - check them out on Camping World's website. Its easy to use. Mine may be up for sale soon if the sale of my RV goes thru on Thursday. I wouldn't buy one new as the older ones are the same except for the paint as the new ones. I'll be asking $600 (plus shipping) for mine if I sell. Its just a matter of putting your car into neutral, leaving the key in the accessory position (which leaves the steering wheel loose) and in my Cobalt, pulling a fuse so the mileage doesn't rack up. Plug the Brake Buddy into the cigarette lighter and attach to the brake pedal and adjust. It also comes with the part that plugs into the motorhome cig lighter to let you know when the brake on the car is applied and a "break away" cable. To be honest I never hooked up the extra stuff cause when it applied the brake on the car you felt it. The sensitivity is adjustable and I set it so it only applied the brake if I panic braked, not everytime I applied the brake.

Just be sure the braking system is designed for RV's NOT just a trailer brake system for those smaller trailers pulled by a pickup truck.

[oregonrambler1]

Thanks Karen, I've looking into the Brake Buddy and it is $$$ new. The Ready Brake is solely designed for use on a car towed behind an RV. You don't have to hook up the brake pedal each time you want to tow and don't have anything sitting on the floor of the vehicle while it's being towed. You can add a system that shows when the brake is activated. There's just so much to research and learn.

[Birdie]

Paulette or Mary, not sure which of you asked the question...I have the Stay and Play braking system installed on my Chevy HHR. For the HHR I have to remove a fuse and flip and switch and I can tow 4 down. I had my RV techs install a switch to flip for the fuse removal. They also installed a light on the dash board of the rig so when I step on the brakes I can verify that the brakes are working on the tow vehicle. That light was a wiring job not wireless.

Before I got the Stay and Play I had a brake buddy and I hated it. Took up a lot of space when you weren't using it. You never knew if it was working. It was a PITA to put it on the brake.

I love this system. Mine works this way. Hook up the tow hardware, the cables, the electrical connection and break away clip, flip two switches, turn off the auto lights, put the gear shift in N, no parking brakes on, radio off, key in the ignition and turned back to where it stops. Get in and out of the rig checking all of your lights (except the brakes). Get in the rig and go a little way and step on the brake and check that the dash light for the toad brakes comes on! Now go!!

Did I say I Love it? The price isn't that much more for what you get. And you don't have to store it when stop.

At least one or two other Sistahs on here also have this system. It is comparable to the one you are inquiring about.

[Bethers]

I started out hating the Brake Buddy- until I got it down pat - and now it's really easy - takes me only a couple minutes. I agree about the storing part, tho - I always have to make sure I keep room in my trunk for it when not in use. Actually, have too much junk - so that's not a bad thing

That said, I was in a hurry when I got my toad, and the Brake Buddy was what I knew. The one you posted about seems much cheaper. I'm not sure I like how it works. If I was buying now, I'd get the Stay in Play - http://smibrake.com/stay-in-play-duo.html As is, will probably keep using the Brake Buddy for a long time - it works, and it hasn't been giving me any headaches any more. I blame most of the ones it did give me on user error - took me awhile, but putting it on the brake takes about 10 seconds now - we won't go there with some of the early times and problems. nope won't.

While typing this have had 2 Gambel's quail, a big jack rabbit and a baby jack rabbit wondering around my site outside.

[oregonrambler1]

Hi Beth, thanks for the link. Anyone mechanically inclined can you check this out and poke holes for me? Like I said it seems too simple but then sometimes simple is better. I have heard from a friend who's used this system for over 5 years without a problem. Easy to install, easy to use, mechanical rather than electrical, one cable enters the auto. Thanks ladies. http://www.readybrake.com/brake-systems.html

[Bethers]

Hi Beth, thanks for the link. Anyone mechanically inclined can you check this out and poke holes for me? Like I said it seems too simple but then sometimes simple is better. I have heard from a friend who's used this system for over 5 years without a problem. Easy to install, easy to use, mechanical rather than electrical, one cable enters the auto. Thanks ladies. http://www.readybrake.com/brake-systems.html

I looked at it and asked an engineer friend - and he said it should work. He personally wouldn't want it - but did go ahead again and say it would work - but he wouldn't prefer it over something like the plug n play or even the brake buddy - he wasn't real thrilled with it having to pull on the rv (or push is actually the truth) in order to stop. So the rv brakes have to work harder for longer. And there's the danger of something wrapping around it, etc - as it's a wire on the hitch.

Truthfully, when I bought, I might have considered it- price is nice. But if you can afford it, I'm in favor of the way the other systems work in how they decide to brake.

[BirdbyBird]

I also have the stay and play system and really like it. I like the simple. I had read information regarding it but the real kicker was Nick Russell's response to my email. I did figure that he had more access to actual experiences between himself and the stories of others. And one thing nick is consistent about is not making recommendations regarding products unless it is based on his experiences......