RayinNC
NC
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Joined: 10/26/2008
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After all the good replies about the Ready Brake I haved to decided to order one. Now a couple other questions have come up.
1- is the brake away really necessary? It seems like over kill to me since i aleady have the safely cables as a back up if the hitch ever came loose. It is an extra $100 so not much but is it worth it?
2- several have said the installation is not a big job but the indicator light wire needs to be ran to the front of the MH. Does that wire need to be hidden in the inside or can it be ran underneath?
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
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miket
Southwick, Ma
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Joined: 10/16/2000
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It is if the toad breaks free and needs to be stopped --- As far as the wire, doesn't matter as long as it's protected from fraying or other damage.
All my wires run along the frame rail, wire tied in place.
Workhorse Ambassador
Mike T
2005 Winnebago Voyage 33V, Workhorse W20, with '06 CR-V in tow, SMI 4 wire Braking system, Blue Ox Underskirt, Pressure Pro.
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VintageRacer
Dundas, Ontario
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Joined: 04/02/2005
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If you have brakes on a trailer (and a towed vehicle is a trailer) then the law says you must have a breakaway switch and cable. .
Brian
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab, Hemi, 5 speed manual, 3.73 gears, Tow Beast hitch with 24" extension.
28 ft race car hauler, Lola T440 Formula Ford, NTM MK4 Sports Racer
1980 MCI MC-5C highway coach conversion
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Ace1001
Heber Springs, AR 72543
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Joined: 04/28/2008
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I have just installed a Ready Brake and haven't yet had an opportunity to use it, but like you, liked all the reviews. Ran my wire underneath MH w/wire ties. Installation looks good on both car and MH. Did not include breakaway kit and am not concerned in the least. With good safety cables, rear view monitor and reasonable speeds, will take my chances that it will never separate. I have towed over 100,000 miles without an incident.
2003 National Islander
Country Coach Chassis, 400 hp Cummins,2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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VintageRacer wrote:If you have brakes on a trailer (and a towed vehicle is a trailer) then the law says you must have a breakaway switch and cable. .
Brian
By the way in VA and in many other states a towed vehicle is not considered a trailer. If it has motive power is the difference. They are written that way for a simple reason. If you have a wrecker you are towing a car and you would have to put brakes on it to tow it. Most states have a performance requirement. But this has been argued many times and I will not change anyones mind but the law is pretty clear. I will say that a brake will help you stop and many coaches require it by the manufacturer.
Here is a link that has it tabulated and the state code sited as a link.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~morodat/toad-brakes-by-state.html
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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TripleM
On the road
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Joined: 02/22/2003
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" I'll take my chances on the toad breaking away"??? Are you kidding.. YOU are not the one taking the chance.. it is other traffic on the road. Those safety chains can not keep you attached in all situations. Do us all a favor and put the break away switch on.
Mike & Marilyn
2005 Allegro Bus 40 QDP
2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 4WD
Fulltimers
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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I installed the break away on the toad and decided to forgo the indicator light for the dash--which is, I believe, only to indicate when the brakes are applied to the toad--it has nothing to do with the break away system.
I felt that the rather simple break away system was a must have to insure the safety of the other drivers on the road--I would much rather have my Cherokee sitting disabled in my lane than freewheeling down the interstate in the event of a failure of the hitch and I certainly do not want it to bash into the back of my motorhome.
Considering the ease of installation and the straight forward nature of the system, I felt it was money well spent.
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big jimbo
Carson City, NV/Surprise, AZ./Florence,OR
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Joined: 11/14/2000
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What wire are you guys talking about running to the front of the motor home? My Brake Buddy has a wireless "Alert/warning" system. There is absolutely no wiring between the brake buddy and the coach.
Jim and Sally and a Lakeland Terrier named Rufus
Carson City, NV/Surprise,AZ/Florence,OR
2001 Country Coach Affinity, 40'
Towing a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a Blue Ox tow bar and using a Brake Buddy.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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The post is about the Ready Brake, not a Brake Buddy.
I ran my indicater underneath the coach and brought it up into the dash. I tow a small utility trailer so I had a four wire plug for it in the back of the toad, so I plug the indicater into that when I tow.
The reason you want a breakaway switch is to stop the toad as fast as possible in case it comes loose. Doesn't insure that no one will hit it but at least you will have done all you could do.
I am totally pleased with my Ready Brute tow bar.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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topflite51
In The Desert of Nevada
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Joined: 05/13/2004
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Big Katuna wrote:The post is about the Ready Brake, not a Brake Buddy.
Never fails 
 David
Just rolling along enjoying life
w/F53 Southwind towing 87 Samurai looking to golf or fish
Simply Despicable 
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