General Boards > General Discussion
Types of brakes for towing
Jeff Watt:
At the risk of "flogging a dead horse", just another thought/wrinkle in this topic:
I just took delivery of a 2013 Explorer and was planning on moving my USGear (Unified) brake system to it from my 06 Explorer; because of the arrangement with the Ford dealer, I am leaving the braking system in the 06, so I am probably buying a new US Gear system (the coach is already wired and has the controller installed). The RV shop where this is being done has suggested instead I purchase the Blue Ox Patriot system. Their pitch is it is (1) easier to install, (2) can move it from one vehicle to another much simpler, (3) lighting is simpler as it uses the explorers lights.
I have reservations about the Blue Ox system as I don't know if I want to taking it in and out every time I want to use the Explorer; I don't know if there are reception problems as the coach controller is wireless to the toad; I am not sure how proportional it is as it isn't using brake input from the coach (that I know of other than brake lights to activate).
Searched for the Blue Ox on iRV2 and there are a number of comments - mostly positive. Main negatives are the nuisance of taking it out of the toad and then setting it up every time when going to tow, occasional glitches with wireless controller and occasional over/under reaction by the unit because of jostling (going over a bridge).
I don't know if the shop wants to sell these Blue Ox more than the US Gear systems (although they stlll have them on hand) or if they don't want to allocate the time to install it - my dime so I don't know why they would balk; saying 4-5 hours. Maybe they are just being considerate.
Any thoughts.
Jeff
ps. thanks to Gil and Mike for info re. wiring the lights in the 2013.
LarryNCarolynShirk:
Jeff.
My US Gear system is on it second coach and third toad. Your coach is already wired and installed. I would just buy the toad parts and have them installed it on your new toad. I would not want to install and uninstall every time I used the toad. Where do you store it when not in use on the toad? There is no learning curve on the US Gear system. You know it works and how it works. It your service guy does not want the job, find another technician, or do it yourself. Get it done and have some fun.
Larry
Jeff Watt:
Larry,
Same conclusion I came to overight.
I dont want to be learning a new system either.
Jeff
Jerry Carr:
Steve we have use brake master product for years they have even done rebuilds for us during the FMCA rallies the brake system we now have is 6 years old anc called the BrakeMaster is ROADMASTER's 'direct' proportional braking system. It connects directly to the motorhome's air or hydraulic brake system for rock-solid, reliable braking — brake line pressure in the motorhome controls the brakes in the towed vehicle.
We also run the Roadmaster tow bar. I like this brake system as it is a quick install does not effect the seat location and uses no 12V
We run it on a Saturn view but I also used it on my jeep.
Joel Ashley:
I'll back up Jerry's vote on the BrakeMaster, Jeff, and ours is also 6 years old. I don't consider the 30 seconds it takes to fasten and unfasten it at the brakepedal much of a nuisance, and it certainly stores more easily than one of those box-type units. At least your new Explorer won't require the Neutral Tow Switch like our '97.
If you don't want to mess with anything much at all regarding the auxilliary brake, consider RoadMaster's new system, Invisibrake:
http://www.roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/invisibrake/index.html
Joel
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