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09-08-2019, 08:55 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Helena
Posts: 5
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tow car braking systems
We recently purchased a Jayco 31'FP Greyhawk, our first motorhome after having fifth wheels for 20 years. Thanks to those of you who gave us information on the suspension system! We now have purchased a 2014 Honda CRV as a tow car, which already has the towing plate assembly/tow bar installed. However, it does not have a supplemental braking system. Information on the internet indicates that the best type is a vacuum assist system, however we live in Montana and no one will install this type. Please give us some guidance on which system is acceptable and is also the easiest to connect and disconnect when towing the car. Thanks so very much!
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09-08-2019, 09:12 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Longs
Posts: 1,484
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Quote:
Originally Posted by threereds
We recently purchased a Jayco 31'FP Greyhawk, our first motorhome after having fifth wheels for 20 years. Thanks to those of you who gave us information on the suspension system! We now have purchased a 2014 Honda CRV as a tow car, which already has the towing plate assembly/tow bar installed. However, it does not have a supplemental braking system. Information on the internet indicates that the best type is a vacuum assist system, however we live in Montana and no one will install this type. Please give us some guidance on which system is acceptable and is also the easiest to connect and disconnect when towing the car. Thanks so very much!
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We tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee and we use the RoadMaster InvsiBrake system. The system is installed under the drivers seat, is always attached and ready to use once the power cord is attached to car and 7 pin. The installation cost is higher because it takes longer to install. The issue I had was finding a place locally that had experience with installing the system. The system is nice because it is always ready for use.
Points of note:
1. I would only install an InvsiBrake in a vehicle you plan on keeping for years. Mine was installed on a new Grand Cherokee.
2. I had my install include a dedicated charging line from coach to toad for battery charging. The InvsiBrake will charge the toad battery but the coach parking lights must be on for this to happen. Now if I forget, no problem.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk TOAD
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09-08-2019, 09:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 16,073
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We had a Brake Buddy. As EA37TS said have the hot lead from the MH connected to charge the TOAD battery, no matter what system you buy.
__________________
DISNEY LOVERS
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09-09-2019, 07:34 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 51
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We began towing a '13 Jeep Wrangler behind our Greyhawk this year - 8000+ miles in the last three months.
I went with a Blue Ox Patriot braking system. It required no permanent installation in my Jeep other than mounting the break-away switch and routing the single wire into the driver's compartment of the Jeep. I plug it into the 12V plug in the Jeep's center console that has constant 12V power (even with the Jeep key off). It hasn't caused any noticeable drain on the Jeep battery, even after consecutive days of towing, so I didn't run a 12V power line from the motorhome to the Jeep. It's simple enough to place on the floorboard, adjust the seat forward slightly, and clamp the mechanical "foot" to the brake pedal, press the setup button. It communicates wirelessly with a small display in the cab of the motorhome.
I can't say if it's the best supplemental braking system on the market, but it works as advertised. Our summer travels exposed us to a variety of terrain and traffic conditions. I definitely appreciated the added braking force provided by the Jeep... and if I switch vehicles I can take it all with me
Safe travels.
-Doug
__________________
2016 Greyhawk 31FS
2013 Jeep Wrangler
"There are times where we make mistakes as we are human beings and sometimes we miss things." - John Culp, Jayco Customer Service
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09-10-2019, 07:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: New Freedom, PA
Posts: 791
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I use the RVi3 braking system. To answer your question, it works well and it does not need a vacuum-assist system.
.
__________________
Ron K3HIL Amateur Extra
Retired
2016 Greyhawk 29MV
2000 Jeep Sahara
"Any advice I give or facts I present are valid to the best of my knowledge,
but I am not responsible if you follow it and you **** your **** up."
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09-10-2019, 08:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,216
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I tow a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, and went with the Blue Ox Patriot 2 as well. For a lot of the same reasons Doug (MontannaBBQ) mentioned.
It was super easy to install, I can use it in my secondary TOAD if I so choose, it's really pretty easy to deploy in the vehicle, works well to stop the rig, and I can take it with me if I decide to sell my JGC.
I went ahead and installed the charge line just in case. It was easy and relatively inexpensive, so it was worth the peace of mind IMO.
The only problem I've had is twice now the transmitter in the cab has lost its connection to the brake (it is wireless). It seemed the brake still worked? Once it was only for a brief moment, the other time, I just reset the brake at our next stop and all was well. No other problems.
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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09-10-2019, 10:12 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Manassas
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MontanaBBQ
We began towing a '13 Jeep Wrangler behind our Greyhawk this year - 8000+ miles in the last three months.
I went with a Blue Ox Patriot braking system. It required no permanent installation in my Jeep other than mounting the break-away switch and routing the single wire into the driver's compartment of the Jeep. I plug it into the 12V plug in the Jeep's center console that has constant 12V power (even with the Jeep key off). It hasn't caused any noticeable drain on the Jeep battery, even after consecutive days of towing, so I didn't run a 12V power line from the motorhome to the Jeep. It's simple enough to place on the floorboard, adjust the seat forward slightly, and clamp the mechanical "foot" to the brake pedal, press the setup button. It communicates wirelessly with a small display in the cab of the motorhome.
I can't say if it's the best supplemental braking system on the market, but it works as advertised. Our summer travels exposed us to a variety of terrain and traffic conditions. I definitely appreciated the added braking force provided by the Jeep... and if I switch vehicles I can take it all with me
Safe travels.
-Doug
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X2
__________________
Chuck, June and Cesar
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09-10-2019, 10:20 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Fortuna Foothills
Posts: 1,862
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2016 CRV Blue Ox Patriot. Nice simple works well and we can move it to our next vehicle when the time comes.
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09-10-2019, 04:32 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hilton Head Island
Posts: 295
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2018 Greyhawk 29MV pulling a 2018 Chevy Equinox with an RVi3 Brake System. It is not vacuum assisted and it is very easy to connect and disconnect. If Honda made an SUV in 2018 that was automatic and flat-towable, that's what we would have, but I think 2014 or 2015 was the last year for them.
__________________
Susan, Ed & Ellee (RIP) Katz
2018 Jayco 29MV
2018 Chevy Equinox
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09-14-2019, 07:48 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 173
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I'm setting up my 4 door Jeep Wrangler as a toad now. This is what I ordered. I haven't installed it yet, so I can't speak to how I like it. I might hate it, but jumping in anyway. On paper, I like the simple, non-electric design. There will be a cable adjustment to do each hookup, but I can live with that. For install, you have to drill a couple small holes through your firewall which doesn't bother me either, one for the main cable, one for the breakaway cable. It also looks to be an easy self install. They have lots of adapter clevis's to hook to your existing tow plate as all the manufactures seem to, so that's going to be the same across the board. It's also cheaper by a grand as you get a braking system and tow bar integrated in one unit. It's low tech, so it may not be for everyone, or those who don't like the serge concept of braking a toad or might want more sophistication in general. For me, that's why I'm drawn to it, simplicity. I do know it will be important to adjust the cable correctly, but I'm detail oriented, so don't expect that to be an issue. It may not be your total plug and play solution though?
https://www.readybrake.com/store/p28..._Elite_II.html
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09-14-2019, 08:02 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 173
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Opps, you already have a tow bar. Same company makes just the cable operated serge brake if that's of interest? If I already had a tow bar, I also might look at the RVI3, that's pretty high tech...but looks very small to stow + portable.
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