I'm getting ready to have a towing pkg installed, and have been looking at roadmasters invisi brake and also their even brake system. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on these?
My choice would be the ReadyBrute (if I didn't already have a towbar) or the ReadyBrake (if I already had a towbar).
Simple, relatively inexpensive, mechanical, and apparently quite trouble free!
For an extra $100 there is a breakaway system that goes with them.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
Easy: We like our Invisibrake (only one 1200 mile trip so far). There is the one-time hassle of installing it; but once installed, trip hookup or unhook is simple. You implied you'd have it installed, so you'll miss that hassle.
I saw the Even Brake as a hassle to hookup/unhook for each and every trip segment and then you have to find a place to put the box. You won't be able to avoid this hassle.
Even though you didn't ask about ReadyBrute, a lot of people seem to like that system. However, it's a surge brake system and Winnebago recommends against using surge brakes on their MHs because of the extra stress on the hitch components.
X2 on the ReadyBrute. I just ordered mine, and really, really like the idea of having a simple, 'it just works' type braking system with no electronics involved in it. Mowermech convinced me on that one, hahaha.
Way I see it, Motorhomes already have a zillion different electrical systems/appliances you have to worry about. I'd just assume have one less to worry about. No electronics to quit or go haywire on you, no battery drain on the toad, no air lines or pumps, none of that with the ReadyBrute. Just a simple cable going from tow bar to brake pedal. Thats all. And, costs a LOT less than most other systems, when you consider that it comes with the tow bar and everything.
Winnebago doesn't recommend surge brakes 'cause of extra stress on hitch components? Not sure I understand that one. How does surge brakes put any more stress on hitch components than any other system would? Makes me wonder if Winnebago has some 'sweetheart' deal with Blue Ox or Roadmaster, to help them sell their (more expensive) systems like Brake Buddy, Invisibrake, Patriot, etc. That, or perhaps they are still 'living in the past', from 40 years ago when surge systems maybe didn't work as good as they do now.
..As one thats towed a variety of trailers over the last 10-15 years with several different tow vehicles, I have found that surge brakes work very well when done right. Especially when the tow vehicle is significantly larger/heavier than whats being towed, as would be the case with a MH towing a car.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
Simple and inexpensive come with tradeoffs. Drawbacks I saw when considering a ReadyBrake:
No toad braking until the weight of the towed vehicle overcomes both “an oil filled shock absorber and a 250 lbs spring before it will activate.”
ReadyBrake does not recharge the toad's power brake vacuum booster so after a few brake applications, you no longer have power brakes on the toad. You can add a vacuum pump for $220 but it works off the toad's battery.
ReadyBrake’s optional breakaway requires adding a second cable to the toad’s brake pedal.
ReadyBrake’s RV-dash-mounted brake indicator only lights up when the actuator arm on the Ready Brake moves far enough to allow the magnetic switch to light the LED light on the motorhome dash. “In light braking situations, the LED may not illuminate as there may not be any movement of the actuator arm.” Also if the toad’s brake pedal cable becomes disconnected, the RV dash indicator light will continue to light even though your toad brakes aren't activating.
All MHs are not “significantly larger/heavier than whats being towed” so smaller MHs need supplemental toad brakes that come close to negating the extra load on the MH’s brakes.
I don’t feel that InvisiBrake has these drawbacks, but, of course, you pay more. It’s great that we have so many choices in braking...and they all work well until they don't.
view2a.thrill wrote: Here’re my answers to questions not asked.
Simple and inexpensive come with tradeoffs. Drawbacks I saw when considering a ReadyBrake:
(1)No toad braking until the weight of the towed vehicle overcomes both “an oil filled shock absorber and a 250 lbs spring before it will activate.”
(2)ReadyBrake does not recharge the toad's power brake vacuum booster so after a few brake applications, you no longer have power brakes on the toad. You can add a vacuum pump for $220 but it works off the toad's battery.
(3)ReadyBrake’s optional breakaway requires adding a second cable to the toad’s brake pedal.
(4)ReadyBrake’s RV-dash-mounted brake indicator only lights up when the actuator arm on the Ready Brake moves far enough to allow the magnetic switch to light the LED light on the motorhome dash. “In light braking situations, the LED may not illuminate as there may not be any movement of the actuator arm.” Also if the toad’s brake pedal cable becomes disconnected, the RV dash indicator light will continue to light even though your toad brakes aren't activating.
(5)All MHs are not “significantly larger/heavier than whats being towed” so smaller MHs need supplemental toad brakes that come close to negating the extra load on the MH’s brakes.
I don’t feel that InvisiBrake has these drawbacks, but, of course, you pay more. It’s great that we have so many choices in braking...and they all work well until they don't.
Happy RVin’.
(1) Many people state that they set the sensitivity on their magic electronic boxes so that they only actuate during hard braking or emergency stops (which is to say almost never). Therefore, I don't see the problem.
2. Some magic electronic boxes require the operator to actuate the brakes until the residual vacuum is gone anyway. The Aux. braking system does not want the power brakes working! Again, I don't see the problem.
3. Annoying, yes. An insurmountable problem, not so much.
4. When using ANY braking system, I would wire the indicator light to the towed vehicle brake lights, so it would indicate when the pedal is depressed. THAT is what I want to know, nothing else.
5. Yes, I see where quite a few people have the desire to tow large vehicles (3/4 ton trucks with loads in the bed, etc.). IMO, this is foolish. My Jeep is the heaviest vehicle I would EVER tow! I most certainly would not tow it behind a small Class B! IMO, most motorhomes that tow vehicles surely ARE "significantly larger/heavier" than the towed vehicle. Certainly the ones I see on the highways are. I suppose, though, it does depend on your definition of "significant".
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