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Supplemental braking

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John Fearnow:
I'm thinking I should have braking for the towed Honda CR-V.  My 2002 Pat-thunder came to me with the Roadmaster "brakemaster" coach-side equipment installed.  I am therefore considering getting the brakemaster with brakeaway kit for the car.  This system works off the coach's air brakes.  Since the coach equipment is already installed I should save that installation charge.  The car equipment is available on the internet for reasonable cost but I'll probably have to have someone install it.  

I am also looking at the roadmaster "evenbrake."  This is the unit that runs off the car battery with a radio monitor in the coach.  the advantage over the brakemaster would be that if I get a new towed car (which I am considering) I can use the evenbrake in the new car.  I have heard some comments that communication between the coach monitor and the evenbrake unit in the car is not reliable.  Also I experience a dead battery in my Honda already if we travel for several days in succession and I don't drive it.  I assume powering the evenbrake off the car battery would make this situation worse.  The evenbrake is also more expensive than the brakemaster but I think I could handle installation myself which might result in the overall cost being close to the brakemaster .

Any comments on experiences with these systems and opinions on what is the best way for me to go are welcomed.

thanks
John Fearnow
Patriot-Thunder 2002 (C-12)
Tucson

Richard And Babs Ames:
We tried a "Box Brake"(evenbrake type) and found the set up to be a real chore with the seat adjustment requirement and even getting it in and out of the car. Since it worked off inertia it would activate too much  or not work at all depending on adjustment.

We returned it to Camping World and replaced it with the Brakemaster that you are plumbed for and found it easier to install and remove with no fine tuning required and it is only applied when your MH brakes are applied. Your toad only set up should only cost about half what the even brake costs.  We were quoted $350 for a second vehicle but was a few years ago and did not include the air piston you attach to the brake pedal.

If we were to do it again we would go with the SMI system like my son has. You just flip a switch to activate it.

Bill Sprague:
I have the Roadmaster Brakemaster on a Ford Edge.  Its simple, it works, is easy to hook up and the car brake pedal is applied when the coach air-brakes are applied.  I have no idea if it pushes the brake pedal too hard, too soft or just right.  The Breakaway is complicated and I have no idea if it would really work in real breakaway situation.  

Joel Ashley:
Our Brakemaster is great.  I wouldn't go with any other.  If you get a new toad, there is no reason the unit can't be transferred over from the old car.  Ideally, have Roadmaster in Vancouver do it for you if you can get both cars there.

Beaver Coach Sales checked the breakaway on our setup right after installation, and it worked as it should.

The only hassle I had was with Camping World's configuration of the plug-in ports on the front of the car.  About a year after initial installation I took the car to Roadmaster headquarters and they changed the configuration without charge for parts or labor.  At the same time they tweaked the car's hitch adapters a bit to improve Camping World's installation there also.  Then a couple of years ago I questioned the toad's tire wear, related to a slight off-level hitch line.  A trip with both the coach and the toad to Roadmaster's new Vancouver, WA, building, and they reconfigured the hitch setup.  Great outfit.

-Joel

John Fearnow:
Thanks for the advice.  I've found a brakemaster on Craigs list from a guy that has only the toad parts of the system.  So it will match up with what I already have in the coach.  He doesn't have the brakeaway unit but I'll consider that later.

John :)

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